Glamorgan Blast Campaign Ends with Record-Breaking Win over Somerset

Glamorgan's Vitality Blast campaign ended on a record-breaking high as they crushed Somerset by 120 runs, thanks to a magnificent century from captain Kiran Carlson.

Carlson's blistering 135 from just 64 balls propelled Glamorgan to a mammoth 243 for four, the highest total of the 2024 Blast. Somerset's chase crumbled under the weight of Marnus Labuschagne's devastating spell, as the Australian all-rounder claimed five wickets for 11 runs, including a triple-wicket maiden.

Glamorgan's innings got off to a flying start, with Carlson and Will Smale putting on a destructive opening partnership of 169. Carlson reached his half-century in just 28 deliveries, while Smale notched his first professional half-century.

Carlson's century was the first in T20 cricket for Glamorgan, while Smale's six off Riley Merideth was a testament to the hosts' aggressive approach. The partnership was eventually broken when Smale was caught by Sean Dickson off Ben Green.

Colin Ingram joined Carlson and kept the run rate soaring, but Carlson's innings came to an end in the 18th over when he was caught by Tom Abell off Merideth. Chris Cooke's cameo of 16 was ended by an impressive boundary catch by Craig Overton, while Ingram was run out off the final ball for 21.

Somerset's chase started brightly, but Timm van der Gugten quickly dismissed Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. George Thomas' wicket to 20-year-old off-spinner Kellaway left Somerset on 66 for three, matching Glamorgan's powerplay score.

Runs continued to flow for Somerset, but wickets kept falling. Dickson and Abell got starts before Labuschagne's introduction into the attack triggered a collapse. The Australian took the wickets of Abell, Merideth, and Overton in quick succession, before completing his five-wicket haul with the dismissals of Jack Leach and Josh Davey.

Somerset were eventually bowled out for 123, giving Glamorgan a resounding 120-run victory. Despite their impressive performance, Glamorgan finished sixth in the South Group, while Somerset qualified for the quarter-finals.

Tags: #Glamorgan, #Somerset, #VitalityBlast, #KiranCarlson, #MarnusLabuschagne