Somerset secured a dominant victory over Northamptonshire

Andy Umeed scored a dominant 63 as Somerset easily chased down 156 to beat Northamptonshire Steelbacks by seven wickets in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Wantage Road, with 148 balls remaining.

Umeed, hit six fours and two sixes off 66 balls, and George Thomas (28) set a brisk pace, reaching 50 in just 31 balls. Though Umeed fell with 21 runs still needed, James Rew and Sean Dickson guided Somerset to victory.

In a rain-shortened match reduced to 49 overs per side, Saif Zaib was the top scorer for Northamptonshire with 57, as they were dismissed for 155 in 38 overs. Somerset’s bowlers were effective, with Josh Davey taking early wickets and all seven bowlers claiming at least one.

Somerset’s breakthrough came early with Alfie Ogborne dismissing Prithvi Shaw, who had scored 244 against them last season. Davey also took crucial wickets, and Archie Vaughan earned his first senior wicket with an lbw dismissal.

Zaib and Lewis McManus contributed a 46-run partnership before a lower-order collapse reduced Northamptonshire to 155 all out. Zaib was out for 57 while the lower order crumbled quickly.

In Somerset’s chase, Thomas took on Ben Sanderson and Umeed made a strong impact with aggressive shots. Thomas was dismissed by a diving catch from Ricardo Vasconcelos, but Goldsworthy (20) added valuable runs before falling to Justin Broad. Umeed fell after a rapid innings, but Rew and Dickson completed the chase.