Cricket News: Vitality Blast T20 Match Highlights

Somerset vs Gloucestershire

Somerset climbed to the second spot, just three points behind Surrey, after having a narrow 7-run win over Gloucestershire, keeping them to 177 in a chase of 185. 

Hosts batting first, got a slow start but recovered from it as Rilee Rossouw made 54 off 35, which got accelerated owing to Lewis Gregory's unbeaten 36-ball 60, taking Somerset to 184/6. 

To defend the total, the bowling unit, led by Peter Siddle's three-wicket haul, restricted Gloucestershire to 177/8. James Bracey (30 off 26) and Miles Hammond (19 off 8) gave Gloucestershire a good start, but regular wickets hurt them. Resistance came from Ryan Higgins (43) and Benny Howell (42 off 19), but it wasn't enough to pull off the chase.

Essex Eagles Vs Sussex Sharks

Essex Eagles maintained their challenge as they found a third place in the table after an 11-run win over Sussex Sharks. 

Batting first, Essex Eagles posted a record total of 144 at a loss of 7 wickets. They got off to a good start as their top four batters contributed in their 30s, playing with a strike rate of over 130. However, what stood out for them was Daniel Sams coming at number 6, who blazed away half-century, finishing with 71 off just 24, climbing his strike rate to 295.83. He hammered six sixes and as many boundaries to take Essex to 244. 

Sussex was led by Mohammad Rizwan (66) and skipper Ravi Bopara's fifties (51). Ali Orr and Tom Alsop played handy cameos scoring 38 and 45 runs, respectively, as Sussex gave them a scare, but Daniel Sams's knock pipped them just as they picked up a narrow win with 233 on the board at a loss of 6 wickets