Last-wicket heroics seal win for Somerset

A thrilling 65-run last-wicket partnership helped Somerset overcome reigning champions Gloucestershire on the opening day of the domestic one-day cup in the United Kingdom.

After Gloucestershire posted 260, Somerset were seemingly cruising at 3-166 in the 33^rd over before an astonishing collapse saw them lose 6-32 to bring tail-enders Jamie Overton and Tim Groenewald to the crease.

The title-holders looked to have the game won but the No.10 and 11 bats defied the Gloucestershire bowlers, blasting three sixes between them to pull off an unlikely victory over their southwest of England rivals.

Remarkably, it’s the second match-winning 10th-wicket partnership Groenewald’s been part of in less than a week.

The South African-born seamer put on 31 with Jack Leach last Monday to help Somerset claim a one-wicket victory Surrey in their recent County Championship match.

“I think sharing a match-winning last-wicket stand against Surrey in our last Championship game gave me confidence that we could get the required runs,” Groenewald said after his knock in the 50-over format. “Jamie Overton played so well that it seemed easier than in the Surrey match.

"Both innings gave me an equal buzz. When you think we also won a T20 game batting second on Friday, I can't think of a better week in my career.

"I just set out to bat properly and concentrate on each ball. The crowd were brilliant and we could really feel them behind us for every ball."

Michael Klinger was out early in Gloucestershire’s innings, bowled by a peach of a delivery by Craig Overton, before his opening partner Craig Dent compiled an even hundred to help the visitors post a competitive 260.

Somerset were in trouble early in their reply at 2-15 but James Hildreth and Johann Myburgh put on 98 for the fourth-wicket before their collapse and then Groenewald and Overton’s heroics.

Fresh off his recent IPL stint with the Mumbai Indians, England limited-overs wicketkeeper Jos Buttler proved the difference in Lancashire’s victory over Warwickshire.

Quick Single: Buttler better for IPL, Ponting experience

Buttler smashed a quickfire 91 (off 73 balls), after New Zealand opener Martin Guptill notched an even half-century, to help the hosts to 296. Towering quick Boyd Rankin, who was handed his Test debut on England’s 2013-14 Ashes tour, was the pick of the Warwickshire bowlers with 4-66.

Lancashire’s total proved too much for the visitors, despite the efforts of former England batsmen Ian Bell (73 off 75) and Jonathon Trott (66 off 81).

Bell praised Buttler and hoped his young charges observed the 25-year-old’s creativity with the willow.

"I think Jos Buttler was the difference in the way he played,” the Warwickshire captain said.

“He showed the options you need to turn a par score into one above par. Without him in the side, they'd have probably only got 260, which we would have been very confident in chasing.

“To all our young players watching that, they can learn a lot from the shots he used, the angles he created and the calmness he had." 

In other matches, Durham allrounder Scott Borthwick continued his impressive form, striking a 53-ball 63 to help his side post an imposing 340 against Leicestershire.

Quick Single: Warne labels leg-spinner Borthwick 'underrated'

Former South Australia batsman Mark Cosgrove (63 off 54) and Ireland allrounder Kevin O’Brien (89 off 84) did their best but the Foxes ultimately fell 11 runs short.

Kumar Sangakkara (58 off 50 balls) top-scored for Surrey in their loss to Kent, Essex chased down Hampshire’s 310 in the final over of their match while former Kiwi batsman Hamish Rutherford struck seven sixes on the way to a 76-ball 104 to see Derbyshire home against Worcestershire.