Royals to face Sabres in the Final

Trescothick and Buttler put Somerset ahead

Somerset Sabres v Nottinghamshire Outlaws
Friends Provident t20 Semi Final
Saturday 14th August 2010
The Rose Bowl

Summary:
Somerset Sabres won by 3 runs (D/L)
Somerset Sabres: 182 - 5
Nottinghamshire Outlaws: 117 -4
Click here to see a full scorecard

Marcus Trescothick lit up the Rose Bowl with a sensational half-century before handing centre stage to Jos Buttler as Somerset posted 182 for five in their Friends Provident t20 semi-final against Nottinghamshire Outlaws.

Former England opener Trescothick struck eleven boundaries during his 28-ball 60, before perishing to Graeme Swann, who led Notts’ fightback, taking 2-24.

The Outlaws looked on top after 16 overs with Somerset seemingly struggling on 118 for five, in this battle to join Hampshire Royals in tonight's final.

However, Buttler had other ideas as he outshone high-profile team-mate Kieron Pollard, mixing lusty blows and inventive shots to great effect to finish on 55 not out.

A short shower delayed Notts’ reply and meant they were set a Duckworth-Lewis adjusted 152 from 16 overs.

Somerset's Kieron Pollard and Alfonso Thomas

Clearly spurred on by captain David Hussey’s decision to field first, Notts’ bowlers started aggressively, with Dirk Nannes’ first delivery crashing into Trescothick’s helmet.

Trescothick responded well, though, hitting Broad for consecutive boundaries off the next over, including a delightful drive over long-on.

Timing was proving elusive for Craig Kieswetter, but Trescothick was having no such problem as he cut Nannes over third man for the game’s first six.

Kieswetter, who starred in the World Twenty20 final for England, finally cut loose in the fifth over, crunching Sidebottom for a trademark six over long-off.

The partnership was worth 50 by the time Kieswetter’s scratchy innings was brought to an end as he top-edged Broad to Ali Brown.

Peter Trego, coming in at number three, did not last long, bowled by a Samit Patel delivery that skidded on.

The double breakthrough did not stop Trescothick, who followed up a beautiful late cut off Steven Mullaney for four with a scorching six over extra cover to bring up his 23-ball half-century.

Meanwhile, at the other end, in-form James Hildreth was busily turning the strike over, looking particularly positive against spin.

Trescothick then slog-swept Swann for another four, but the bowler had the last laugh with a delivery worthy of ending such a breathtaking innings.

The England off-spinner bowled a slower, loopier delivery to beat Trescothick’s edge and force him to over balance, allowing Chris Read to complete the stumping.

With the Outlaws’ spinners looking to put the squeeze on, Somerset lost their fourth wicket via an unnecessary run out when, after a mix-up with partner Hildreth, Zander de Bruyn departed.

Swann continued to impress for Notts, mixing pace and flight beautifully to restrict the batsmen.

And he got his rewards, tempting Hildreth, who was on 19, down the pitch before taking a smart return catch as the batsman looked to hit him down the ground.

Much was expected when Pollard strolled to the crease, but it was Buttler who starred at the end of the innings.

He produced an array of inventive strokes, including the ‘dilscoop’, as he hit six fours and two sixes to hand Somerset the momentum.

Pollard chipped in with a boundary of his own, as the duo put on 75 for the sixth wicket, but Buttler was the name on everybody’s lips at the end of the innings.

Match report courtesy of the ECB website - Images: Oliver Zee

Back to news