SOMERSET have got their 2025 Vitality Blast campaign off to a flying start by winning all three of their opening matches in South Group.

They kicked off with convincing victories against Surrey at home and Essex away two days later. On the Friday evening they travelled down to the south coast where they chalked up another victory over Sussex, who started the match top of the table.

For their opener against Surrey on the Friday evening a packed County Ground was rocking and after Surrey being put in impressive opening spells from Craig Overton and Matt Henry limitedthe visitors to 30 for two after six overs. Jason Roy, however, then stood up and plundered 92 before being out in the final over as Surrey ended their innings on 146 for nine. Henry was the pick of the bowlers with three for 21 from his four overs while the man with the golden arm Ben Green ended with two for 35.

Facing what appeared to be a below par target Somerset, at the half way stage, were 96 for one. Will Smeed fell soon after for 35.

Somerset then lost three wickets and with the total on 112 for five, all of a sudden there was a hint of doubt regarding the outcome in the mind of home supporters. However Green and Abell were on hand to calm the nerves and the end came off the penultimate ball of the 18th over when an Abell four brought them a five wicket victory with the Somerset player 29 not out and Green unbeaten on 23.

Forty eight hours later Somerset were in action at Chelmsford against Essex who they beat in the final to lift the T20 Trophy in 2023.

Batting first the home side were bowled out for 148 in 19.1 overs, Green taking three for 30, while Riley Meredith and Gregory ended with two each. When Somerset replied Smeed and Tom Lammonby gave the visitors a great start, putting on 96 before Lammonby was out for 36 off the last ball of the ninth over. Smeed was in fine form and delivered a masterclass unbeaten 81 off just 54 balls with 11 fours and a 6 to see the Cidermen to 149 for two in the 16th over.

Against Sussex on Friday evening after being put into bat the hosts were limited to 166 for eight, Henry again proving his worth to the side by taking three for 29 from his four overs, while Meredith and Gregory both claimed two each. After losing Smeed in the opening over Tom Lammonby, who opened the innings, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore took the total onto 97 before the opener was out for 35 in the 10th over.

Kohler-Cadmore had moved onto 64 which came off 43 balls with seven 4s and three 6s when he was out in the 14th over which made Somerset 133 for three. Tom Abell was joined by Thomas Rew and the pair remained together to see Somerset to victory off the last ball of the 18th over. Abell ended not out 36 while young Rew remained unbeaten on 17 which included one 4 and a six- his first maximum at this level.

Somerset are next in T20 action on Thursday 12th June when they host Middlesex before travelling to Bristol to play the old enemy the following evening.