Alleyne disappointed with execution as Glamorgan lose to Somerset

Somerset 154-6 (14.5 overs): Banton 54, Smeed 28; Douthwaite 3-26, Smith 2-34
Glamorgan 153 (19.4 overs): Byrom 42, Carlson 31; Van der Merwe 3-24, Gregory 2-14
Somerset (2pts) won by four wickets

Glamorgan had come into the match full of optimism after a thrilling two-wicket win over Gloucestershire on Friday. 

Alleyne’s side though never got going with the bat despite a fine 42 from opener Sam Byrom to pose a threat to the hosts. Partnerships were regularly broken as the visitors fell to 153 all out, despite a late rally from Australian debutant Peter Hatzoglou who hit useful runs at the death to give his side a chance.

The game was effectively over within the first ten overs of the home sides reply with Somerset swiftly moving to 116-2 thanks to a quick-fire half-century from explosive batsman Tom Banton. The visitors rallied with Dan Douthwaite again the pick of the bowlers taking 3-26, but Somerset kept up their hundred percent record in the competition chalking off their target with five overs to spare.

“We had a really good start in the first ten overs. I thought the power play at Bristol was good. A few really good choices by the top order. Today it was Ed Byrom and Kiran [Carlson] who got us there,” said Alleyne.

“Then I wouldn’t say poor choices, but our execution wasn’t on point for the second half, and I felt we fell short. There were lots of boundary catches today which meant we needed another club to get it over the line or maybe hit the gaps, so that left us a bit vulnerable in the last five overs.

“I thought the guys done well to keep it going because there is no point in trying to consolidate as we had to get a score to compete.

“Banton has shown that’s their currency and that’s what they are here for. Some of them don’t play any red-ball cricket and they are here to get them off to a flyer.

“We tried to counter that with a lot of it with a slightly different shape. It didn’t work for us today and they got off to a bit of a flyer, but Dan [Douthwaite] came in, hit the wicket and bowled well. I thought Jamie McIllroy did well and I thought Ruaidhri Smith did well too.

“We can’t fault it. It was a below par score though and we had to try everything we can. We got six wickets, but the rate was a bit too high.

Glamorgan will now look to swiftly bounce back against Middlesex on Wednesday night as the competition continues.

(Lead image: Glamorgan CC)