Somerset’s dominance in Group A of the Royal London Cup continued as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Lancashire at Taunton. The hosts’ triumph was orchestrated by a career-best bowling performance from Kasey Aldridge and a maiden List A century from George Thomas.
Lancashire’s innings faltered after winning the toss, with only Chris Green (65) and George Bell (56) managing to post significant scores. Aldridge’s introduction into the attack proved devastating, as he ripped through the Lancashire batting lineup, claiming six wickets for just 33 runs.
In response, Somerset’s openers, Thomas and Lewis Goldsworthy, launched an aggressive assault on the Lancashire bowlers. Thomas, in particular, showcased his exceptional talent, smashing 14 fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 106. James Rew provided valuable support with an unbeaten 60, as Somerset cruised to victory with 9.1 overs to spare.
Lancashire’s innings lacked momentum from the outset, with Alfie Ogborne’s impressive opening spell restricting their scoring rate. The visitors’ hopes of posting a competitive total were further dented by Aldridge’s devastating spell, which saw him claim the wickets of Josh Bohannon, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rocky Flintoff in quick succession.
Green’s late cameo, which included four fours and four sixes, provided some respite for Lancashire, but it proved insufficient to challenge Somerset’s formidable batting lineup.
Thomas’s century was a testament to his growing maturity and skill. The 20-year-old Taunton native displayed a wide range of shots, including powerful pulls and elegant cover drives. His partnership with Rew, which yielded 118 runs, was a record-breaking moment for Somerset in List A cricket.
Somerset’s victory extends their winning streak in Group A to three matches, while Lancashire remains winless after four games. The hosts’ impressive performance is a testament to their depth and quality, while Lancashire will need to find a way to improve their batting if they are to challenge for a place in the knockout stages.
