2026 Cup Match Day One Wrap-Up
Somerset overcame a delayed start to seize control on the opening day of Cup Match at Somerset Cricket Club today [July 30].
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the holders reached 276 for six off 63.1 overs at the close after play was delayed by rain and safety concerns involving scaffolding at the groundS
St George’s, seeking to end Somerset’s 14-year reign as Cup Match champions, made the ideal start when seam bowler Zeko Burgess dismissed Somerset captain Terryn Fray for nought with the second ball of the match.
Fray edged behind to wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith.
Colt Jaden Manders steadied the innings with 28 off 22 balls, striking six boudaries before he was caught by Isaiah O’Brien off the bowling of Luke Horan.
Kamau Leverock made 47 from 41 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before he was caught by Horan off the slow left-arm bowling of Delray Rawlins, leaving Somerset on 99 for three.
Tre Manders added 43 before he was trapped leg before by off-spinner Nzari Paynter.
St George’s struggled to make further inroads as Dominic Sabir anchored the innings, reaching his half-century from 86 balls.
He was eventually dismissed for 67, caught by Onias Bascome off the bowling of Jonte Smith, with Somerset on 216 for five.
Zerai Tomlinson was out five after being caught behind by substitute wicketkeeper Jahnoi Bean off the bowling of medium pace bowler Jonte Smith.
Bean replaced the injured St George’s captain Sinclair Smith.
The experienced Dion Stovell further enhanced Somerset’s position, reaching his half-century off 84 balls, including five fours.
Somerset First Innings
Terryn Fray c Sinclair Smith b Zeko Burgess 0 (2)
Jaiden Manders c Isaiah O’Brien b Luke Horan 28 (22)
Kamau Leverock c Luke Horan b Delray Rawlins 47 (41)
Tre Manders lbw b Nzari Paynter 43 (76)
Dominic Sabir c Onias Bascome b Jonte Smith 67 (99)
Dion Stovell not out 52 (86)
Zeri Tomlinson c sub (Jahnoi Bean) b Jonte Smith 5 (13)
Jermal Proctor not out 23 (43)
Extras (8b, 1lb, 3nb) 12
Total (6 wickets; 63.1 overs) 277
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Fray), 2-44 (Jaiden Manders), 3-99 (Leverock), 4-132 (Tre Manders), 5-216 (Sabir), 6-224 (Tomlinson)
Bowling
Zeko Burgess 8-1-39-1
Luke Horan 9-0-64-1
Isaiah O’Brien 3-0-23-0
Keegan Jones 5.1-0-27-0
Delray Rawlins 13-4-35-1
Kevon Fubler 12-2-40-0
Nzari Paynter 7-2-26-1
Jonte Smith 6-0-16-2
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