Trego stars in Somerset romp

Craig Kieswetter ensured Somerset had no problems in chasing their meagre target, smashing 36 from just 21 balls

Somerset medium-pacer Peter Trego took 4-17 against his old club as Middlesex were bowled out for a paltry 65 before crashing to an eight-wicket defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy match at Bath.

Trego exploited swinging conditions after his side had won the toss and took his four wickets for two runs in his first four overs to reduce the visitors to 22 for five.

Ben Phillips (3-23) and Alfonso Thomas (2-5) ensured there was no Middlesex recovery.

Faced with such a small target Somerset raced to victory in just 8.3 overs, Craig Kieswetter finishing unbeaten on 36 in a total of 66 for two.

There was no hint of the carnage to come when Middlesex openers Billy Godleman and Phil Hughes took the total to 10 in the third over before Hughes was lbw to Charl Willoughby playing no shot.

Neil Dexter became Trego's first victim in the next over, edging the ball onto his stumps. It sparked a purple patch for the Somerset all-rounder, who then had Godleman brilliantly caught one-handed to his right by Justin Langer at short midwicket.

Trego struck twice with successive balls in his fourth over, pinning Dawid Malan and Ben Scott lbw with full-length swinging deliveries.

It was 23 for five at the end of 10 overs and to no one’s surprise, Somerset took their second power-play immediately. After a short break for rain, Eoin Morgan fell immediately and only Gareth Berg, with 30, of the later batsmen offered any resistance.

Kieswetter and Marcus Trescothick had no intention of waiting for more rain to come along when Somerset replied.

Trescothick hit Chris Silverwood for six over long-off before perishing next ball trying to repeat the shot as he skied a catch to third man.

Kieswetter continued his tremendous start to the season, blasting an enormous straight six off Tim Murtagh, and James Hildreth also produced some sparkling attacking shots in helping to see his side to within one run of victory.

It was the second time in 24 hours that the Middlesex batting had collapsed spectacularly following their humbling by Kent at Southgate in the same competition.

Somerset had no such problems. It was their third win from as many group matches and they already look well on course for the quarter-finals.

The game was over by 2pm, a disappointment for the good-sized festival crowd who braved the cold and damp day. It was one of the most crushing defeats in the history of the 50-over competition.