Somerset 156 for 3 (Umeed 63) defeated Northamptonshire 155 (Zaib 57) by seven wickets
Andy Umeed delivered a stellar performance with a commanding 63 as Somerset easily chased down 156, securing a seven-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Wantage Road. Umeed faced 66 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes, and along with George Thomas (28), got Somerset off to a flying start, reaching 50 off just 31 balls. Although Umeed was dismissed with 21 runs needed, James Rew and Sean Dickson ensured the win with 148 balls to spare.
The match, reduced to 49 overs per side due to rain, saw Saif Zaib as the lone bright spot for Northamptonshire with a score of 57. Northamptonshire were bowled out for 155 in under 38 overs, with Josh Davey taking two early wickets. Zaib found some support from Ricardo Vasconcelos (29) and Lewis McManus (20), but a lower-order collapse saw the last four wickets fall for just seven runs in four overs, with all seven Somerset bowlers claiming at least one wicket.
Somerset's early breakthrough came when Alfie Ogborne dismissed Prithvi Shaw, who had previously scored 244 against them. Josh Davey then struck twice in quick succession, removing George Bartlett and James Sales, leaving Northamptonshire at 33 for three by the end of the power play.
Vasconcelos and Zaib briefly steadied the innings, but Vasconcelos was trapped lbw by Archie Vaughan. Zaib and McManus added 46 runs together before two quick wickets after the drinks break. McManus was bowled, and Gus Miller followed soon after, clean-bowled by Jack Leach.
Zaib reached his half-century but was soon caught in the deep, attempting a big shot off Lewis Goldsworthy. The lower order crumbled as Michael Finan was bowled by Riley Meredith, Ben Sanderson chipped a catch back to Goldsworthy, and Freddie Heldreich was caught behind off Ogborne. Justin Broad provided some resistance, finishing unbeaten on 19.
In Somerset's chase, Thomas took on Ben Sanderson, driving fluently and hitting a six over midwicket. Umeed showcased textbook cover drives and aggressive shots, hitting a free hit behind square for four and a six over deep square leg.
Thomas was caught by Vasconcelos at short midwicket off Broad, but Lewis Goldsworthy quickly got into his stride, driving Finan for four and Broad to the ropes. Broad claimed his second wicket, trapping Goldsworthy lbw with Somerset at 88 for 2.
Umeed continued his assault, bringing up his half-century with a pull shot and hitting a huge six over deep midwicket. He eventually edged a catch behind off Sales, leaving Rew and Dickson to complete the chase and secure the win.