Latest news with #TomKohlerCadmore
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
County cricket: it's all to play for in the final week of the T20 Blast group stage
'Hello marketing team. We'll give you glorious weather and decent crowds that fill some grounds and provide a fine atmosphere at the others. We'll give you fanbases rooted in their local communities and club histories stretching back well over a century. We'll give you tickets that are easy to buy online or available at walk-up box offices. We'll provide 21st-century stadium facilities and, though there can be a bit of edge (as there should be), well-stewarded matches where everyone is safe. We'll roll in some international players: Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood, Jimmy Anderson, Dan Lawrence, Will Jacks, Jason Roy, Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Tom Curran, Mitchell Santner, Chris Jordan, Jamie Overton, Reece Topley and Adam Zampa. And that's just at Lancashire and Surrey. There are plenty more names elsewhere. The Blast is undersold, undermined and, consequently, goes under the radar. How the hell did we get here? There has been some fine cricket played in the tournament and, with a couple of rounds left, 14 of 18 starters still have a chance of winning it. Some have rather more of a chance than others, of course. The contrast in fortunes between those dreaming of Finals Day and those sleepwalking towards the group stage conclusion was illustrated at Taunton, where a high-flying Somerset marmalised a demoralised Essex by 95 runs. Anyone can run into Tom Kohler-Cadmore on his day (90 off 39 balls) and take harsh punishment, but how have Essex managed to win just two of their 12 matches? One feels that the inherent randomness of the T20 format, with its inevitable swinging from the hip, should produce something better than that, almost regardless of form, talent and morale. That no batter averages 30 and no bowler goes at under 8.5 per over speaks to a performance issue, but Essex have also won only one Championship match this season. To reach mid-July with just three victories suggests more than just onfield problems. How often have you looked up and, to your surprise, found that Joe Root is on 28, acquired while you were searching for those cheese and jalapeño pickle sandwiches you were sure you hadn't left in the fridge? I had the same feeling when I looked up Aneurin Donald and learned that the one-time boy wonder and teenage record-breaker was now 28 years old and fetched up at Derbyshire. The talent never hides for long though, despite a career that has not scaled the heights it once promised. Northamptonshire must have been confident at the innings break at Wantage Road, having set a target of 238 with half-centuries from Matthew Breetzke, David Willey and Saif Zaib. Donald dented that with his 22-ball stay that produced eight fours and six sixes, his 71 coming at a strike rate of 323! It was somehow fitting that no teammates could hit at much above half that rate and his pyrotechnics came in a lost cause. Top against bottom in the North Group, with Lancashire flying high and enjoying home advantage against a Yorkshire team with nothing to play for. A home banker surely? Nobody told Bradford's Jonny Bairstow (116) or Keighley's Will Luxton (90), each of whose 17 sixes plucked a petal from the red rose as it wilted under the onslaught. Lancashire's hired hands were spirited in their reply, but the two Tykes, backed up by a couple of wickets from Leeds' Jordan Thompson, had done enough. It was a shock result that wasn't really a shock at all. Danny Lamb is almost a reverse Aneurin Donald – it's amazing to see that he's still in his 20s. Now at Sussex, he enjoys the classic 'bits and pieces' player's stats, averaging between 30 and 33 across all three formats with the ball and 29 and 35 with the bat (OK, 15 in T20, but it would be 30 if he spent more time at the crease). He showed his value in his team's short trip to Canterbury, where he made only seven off 12 batting but, on as fourth change, he dismissed key men Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly then cleaned up the tail for a fivefer. It's easy to look down on the quasi all-rounders (those who would not get in the XI for either of their skills) but they are easy to relate to and easy to love because they're always in the game. The Darren Stevens tribute acts will always have a place in the hearts of county cricket fans. Though it does not find favour with readers, this column does advocate exploring tweaks to the Blast's playing regulations to promote more tight finishes. Too many matches are won well before the tension that only a last-over finish can provide. Lots of options would be available, but I'd quite like a wildcard allowing the captain to call upon his best bowler for a fifth over any time in the last six. They did get a thriller at Trent Bridge when Leicestershire made the short trip north and racked up a solid 188 for two. Joe Clarke, as he does, got the Nottinghamshire chase off to a good start and all looked well when Tom Moores hit the first two deliveries of the 18th over for six, leaving 10 to get off 16 balls. But it's best not to get out if you're the set batter, and Moores did, to leave the last three wickets to get over the line. Liam Patterson-White couldn't get enough of the strike and when he was out, No 11 Farhan Ahmed walked to the crease with two balls to face and two runs to get. The 17-year-old got it into the offside and set off on a harum-scarum attempt at two runs. With shouts coming from both sides of the boundary, the kid got home amid the chaos and the win was secured, nine down. Now that's a finish. This article is from The 99.94 Cricket Blog
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Smeed on a 'different level' - Kohler-Cadmore
Somerset batter Will Smeed has progressed to a "different level" this season, team-mate Tom Kohler-Cadmore says. Smeed is the T20 Blast's leading run-scorer this season with 428, adding another 32 runs to his total as Somerset beat Essex in the T20 Blast to secure their spot in the hit 90 off 39 balls during the victory, dominating stands of 88 and 55 with Smeed and Tom Abell in his highest T20 score for Somerset."Smeedy's gone to a different level this year, he's adding and adding to his game and his consistency this year has been great to see," he told BBC Radio Bristol. Smeed is playing in all formats of the game this season, having been on a white-ball only contract with Somerset in 2023 and has played in all 11 Blast matches for Somerset, with a batting average of 47.55 and strike rate of 147.07, and has also hit 15 sixes, including two on Tuesday night at the County Ground."It's always fun batting with him because I know the bowlers are under so much pressure when he's on strike that it almost seems that they give me some easier balls," Kohler-Cadmore said."Also I feel like he's adapted to be able to rotate as well, I think we've seen that in some of his previous knocks - Gloucester away - he's really maturing and taking the game deep and winning us matches so batting with him is always fun." 'Real team performance' Kolher-Cadmore also praised Abell for also being "outstanding" during the Essex win as Somerset extended their lead at the top of the South Group table, 12 points clear of Surrey who have played two games fewer."That's one thing that we look at as a team is how well we're actually contributing," he said. "It's not always an individual having a great night it's how do I contribute and get that guy on strike, or keep the team going forward, and I felt his [Abell's] knock was just as crucial."Somerset won the 2023 Blast title but were beaten in the final last season by neighbours Gloucestershire. They have three group matches remaining away to Kent and Surrey on 11 and 13 July, and then at home to Gloucestershire on 18 July before a break until the quarter-finals in the first week of September."If we perform anything like we can, we can beat any team in this division and in this competition," Kohler-Cadmore."It's making sure we keep putting our performances in and keep building towards the back end of the tournament."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Somerset seal Blast quarter final berth with victory over Essex
Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashed a brilliant half century to propel Somerset to a convincing 95-run victory over Essex Eagles at the Cooper Associates Ground and guarantee the runaway South Group leaders a place in the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast, writes Andrew Stockhausen, ECB Reporters' Network. In scintillating form beneath the Taunton floodlights, the 30-year-old right hander staged a breathtaking innings of 90 from just 39 balls, striking 8 fours and 7 sixes and dominating stands of 88 and 55 with Will Smeed and Tom Abell for the second and third wickets respectively as Somerset ran up an imposing 225-6 after Essex had won the toss. Smeed scored 32, Sean Dickson weighed in with 28 not out and, amid the carnage, Mohammad Amir emerged as the only Essex bowler to escape punishment, the Pakistan international returning stand-out figures of 3-22 from four overs. Advertisement Undermined by overseas bowlers Matt Henry and Riley Meredith, who claimed 4-21 and 2-22 respectively, the Essex chase came up well short as the visitors were dismissed for 130 in 14.1 overs, Noah Thain top-scoring with 38. This latest victory moves Somerset 12 points clear of nearest rivals Surrey, while Essex remain rooted to the foot of the South Group after suffering a ninth defeat in 11 games. Read more: Tom Banton looked as though he meant business, plundering three boundaries at the expense of debutant Charlie Bennett to move to 15 in quick time, only to then chip Mohammad Amir to mid-on in the third over as Somerset lost their first wicket with 21 on the board. There was no loss of momentum though, Kohler-Cadmore and Smeed taking 16 off the next over, sent down by Noah Thain, while Bennett again proved expensive when switching to the River End and Paul Walter conceded 19 off the sixth as Somerset raced to 67-1 by the end of the powerplay. Essex turned to spin in an attempt to stem the flow, but Kohler-Cadmore continued to trade in boundaries, smiting a brace of sixes off successive deliveries from Matt Critchley and then straight hitting Luc Benkenstein for another to raise a blistering 24-ball half century in the grand manner. Advertisement The visitors did little to help themselves, Bennett dropping Smeed on 20 at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Critchley as the 8th over hemorrhaged 20 runs. Smeed had contributed 32 to a stand of 88 from 44 balls when he hit Benkenstein to long-off as the home side reached halfway on 114-2. There was no let-up in the scoring rate, Kohler-Cadmore applying further pressure by hoisting Benkenstein for a towering six over long-off as the Essex bowling wilted in the face of heavy firepower. Kohler-Cadmore was within 10 runs of what would have been a magnificent hundred when a loss of concentration saw him hit Simon Harmer high to long-off to afford Essex overdue relief. Critchley removed Abell for 20, but there was precious little breathing space for the visitors, Sean Dickson and Lewis Gregory picking up the cudgels in a stand of 28 from 12 balls. Dickson was still there at the end, unbeaten on 28 made from 17 balls. Required to score at 12.5 an over, Essex made a decent enough start, Walter taking Craig Overton for a six and a brace of fours in a first over that yielded 15 runs. But Meredith redressed the balance, clean bowling the swinging Michael Pepper with 28 on the board in the third. Advertisement Somerset struck another blow in the next over, Ben Green taking a startling diving catch at long-on to send back Jordan Cox and give Henry a wicket on his final appearance before returning to New Zealand, while Meredith accounted for Charlie Allison. Henry then struck twice in three balls, removing Walter for 24 and Benkenstein without scoring to reduce Essex to 48-5, their prospects of pulling off an unlikely victory in tatters before the powerplay had even ended. Critchley was then run out by Abell's direct hit and Lewis Goldsworthy had Robin Das held on the deep mid-wicket boundary with the score 81-7 as the home side exerted a vice-like grip on proceedings. Only Thain attempted to carry the fight to Somerset, the England Under-19 international crashing a four and 4 sixes in a defiant innings of 38 off 17 balls. His dismissal - caught by Henry at long-on off the bowling of Overton - signalled the end of meaningful Essex resistance.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashes 90 as Somerset thrash Essex
Tom Kohler-Cadmore's swashbuckling 90 off 39 balls helped Somerset guarantee their spot in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals after they thumped struggling Essex by 95 runs at Taunton. Batting in sunglasses to combat the sunshine that may have contributed to Essex's below-par display in the field with several drops, Kohler-Cadmore belted seven sixes and eight fours in a stunning knock. Kohler-Cadmore looked to be cruising towards an electrifying century but was suckered in by a wider delivery from Simon Harmer and succeeded only in toe-ending straight to Michael Pepper in the deep. His innings was the cornerstone of a total of 225 for six for Somerset, whose entire top-seven reached double figures, with Mohammad Amir the only Essex bowler to record respectable figures with 4-0-22-3. Australia fast bowler Riley Meredith then made the breakthrough in Essex's reply as a searing yorker located the base of Pepper's leg stump, which extraordinarily snapped upon impact. Essex came into this contest with just one win from 10 this season and their hopes of doubling their tally and reeling in their highest-ever chase receded when they slipped to 48 for five after 5.4 overs. Matt Henry was the pick of Somerset's attack with four for 21, dismissing Amir with his final delivery, before Essex were put out of their misery next ball and all out for 130 from 14.1 overs. Somerset moved 12 points clear of Surrey atop the South Group and they became the first team to make sure of a place in the knockout stages, with rock-bottom Essex already eliminated.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Somerset overpower Essex to reach Blast quarter-finals
Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashed a brilliant half century to propel Somerset to a convincing 95-run victory over Essex Eagles and guarantee the runaway South Group leaders a place in the T20 Blast scintillating form beneath the Taunton floodlights, the 30-year-old right hander played a breathtaking innings of 90 from just 39 balls, striking eight fours and seven sixes and dominating stands of 88 and 55 with Will Smeed and Tom ran up an imposing 225-6 and, amid the carnage, Mohammad Amir emerged as the only Essex bowler to escape punishment, the Pakistan left-armer returning stand-out figures of 3-22 from four by overseas bowlers Matt Henry and Riley Meredith, who claimed 4-21 and 2-22 respectively, the Essex chase came up well short as the visitors were dismissed for 130 in 14.1 overs, Noah Thain top-scoring with 38. The victory moved Somerset 12 points clear of nearest rivals Surrey, while Essex remain rooted to the foot of the table after a ninth defeat in 11 games. Tom Banton looked as though he meant business, plundering three boundaries at the expense of debutant Charlie Bennett to move to 15 in quick time, only to then chip Amir to mid-on in the third over as Somerset lost their first wicket with 21 on the board. There was no loss of momentum though, with Kohler-Cadmore and Smeed taking 16 off the next over, sent down by Thain, while Bennett again proved expensive when switching to the River End and Paul Walter conceded 19 off the sixth as Somerset raced to 67-1 by the end of the turned to spin in an attempt to stem the flow, but Kohler-Cadmore struck a brace of sixes off successive deliveries from Matt Critchley and hit Luc Benkenstein straight for another to raise a blistering 24-ball half century in the grand visitors did little to help themselves, Bennett dropping Smeed on 20 at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of had contributed 32 to a stand of 88 from 44 balls when he hit Benkenstein to long-off as the home side reached halfway on was no let-up in the scoring rate, Kohler-Cadmore applying further pressure by hoisting Benkenstein for a towering six over long-off as the Essex bowling wilted in the face of heavy firepower. Kohler-Cadmore was within 10 runs of what would have been a magnificent hundred when a loss of concentration saw him hit Simon Harmer high to long-off to afford Essex overdue removed Abell for 20, but there was precious little breathing space for the visitors, Sean Dickson and Lewis Gregory picking up the cudgels in a stand of 28 from 12 balls. Required to score at 12.5 an over, Essex made a decent enough start, Walter taking Craig Overton for a six and two fours in a first over that yielded 15 Meredith redressed the balance, clean bowling Michael Pepper with 28 on the board in the struck another blow in the next over, Ben Green taking a startling diving catch at long-on to send back Jordan Cox and give Henry a wicket on his final appearance before returning to New Zealand, while Meredith accounted for Charlie Allison. Henry then struck twice in three balls, removing Walter for 24 and Benkenstein without scoring to reduce Essex to 48-5, their prospects of pulling off an unlikely victory in tatters before the powerplay had even was run out by Abell's direct hit and Lewis Goldsworthy had Robin Das held on the deep mid-wicket boundary with the score Thain attempted to carry the fight to Somerset, crashing a four and four sixes in a defiant 17-ball innings of 38, but his dismissal - caught by Henry at long-on off the bowling of Overton - signalled the end of meaningful Essex by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay Wednesday T20 Blast fixtures North GroupEdgbaston: Bears v Lancashire Lightning (19:00 BST start) South GroupNorthwood: Middlesex v Hampshire Hawks (17:00 BST)Bristol: Gloucestershire v Surrey (19:00 BST)Hove: Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires (19:00 BST)
