Record-breaking Trescothick sets up win
Marcus Trescothick hit the fastest half-century in the history of English domestic Twenty20 cricket as Somerset beat Hampshire by six wickets at Taunton
Cricinfo staff
09-Jul-2010
Marcus Trescothick hit the fastest half-century in the history of English domestic Twenty20 cricket as Somerset beat Hampshire by six wickets at Taunton. The former England opener reached his fifty from just 13 balls, with five sixes and five fours, on his way to making 78 off 27 deliveries as his side successfully chased down Hampshire's total of 216 for 5 with two overs to spare. Peter Trego made an unbeaten 72.
Hampshire took first use of the batsman-friendly wicket after winning the toss. Neil McKenzie (73) and Sean Ervine (53) capitalised on the conditions as a 7,000-plus crowd revelled in hot sunshine and a run feast.
But Trescothick stole the show, finishing with seven sixes and seven fours. There was a collective groan from spectators when he was tamely caught and bowled by Danny Briggs in only the ninth over.
From then on, Trego, promoted to open on his return from England Lions duty, saw Somerset to their target, despite Briggs removing Kieron Pollard for a duck in the same over as Trescothick fell. Abdul Razzaq went for 64 off his four overs as James Hildreth (29) and Jos Buttler (18 not out) joined in the big-hitting action. Trego faced 44 balls and hit eight fours and three sixes.
Earlier, after the loss of Michael Carberry who was brilliantly run out by Trescothick's direct hit from cover, Hampshire batted aggressively with James Vince scoring 22 off just nine balls. Jimmy Adams hit four boundaries in his 21 and when they fell in quick succession to make it 57 for three only five overs had been bowled.
It was 62 for 3 at the end of the power-play overs and Ervine and McKenzie added 112 in 11 overs to build on the impressive start. Ervine reached his half-century with two sixes in an over from Trego, but was out next ball attempting another.
McKenzie hit only one six, straight off Somerset's best bowler Murali Kartik, but added 10 fours before being pinned lbw by a full length ball from Alfonso Thomas. Somerset's win strengthened their position in the top four of the South Division and they look a solid bet to reach the quarter-finals.