Somerset tied down

Daryl Mitchell hit a four off the last ball of the game to earn Worcestershire a dramatic tie in their NatWest Pro40 clash with Somerset at Taunton.

The Royals looked to be cruising to victory when Vikram Solanki (94) and Steve Davies (92) put on 181 for the first wicket in just 22 overs, replying to 298 for six.

But the Sabres stormed back to such an extent that 12 were required off the last over bowled by Mark Turner.

In the end Mitchell swept the final delivery past Charl Willoughby at short fine leg to level the scores.

Somerset's total after winning the toss was built around Craig Kieswetter's 89.

Wes Durston (60 not out) and Marcus Trescothick (55) were the other main contributors, while Andrew Harris returned 4-47.

The result leaves both clubs facing the threat of relegation, with Somerset in real difficulties as they have only one match to play.

They bowled poorly at the start of Worcestershire's reply and Solanki and Davies responded with some fine strokeplay.

Steve Davies hit a blistering 92 off 80 balls for Worcestershire

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Solanki was first to 50, off 37 balls, with 10 fours, but his partner scored quicker to reach a 30-ball half-century, including 11 boundaries.

Their superb stand ended when Davies was stumped giving Omari Banks the charge.

Somerset's fightback began when Stephen Moore was run-out and Solanki was bowled in the same Turner over to make the score 199 for three.

Graeme Hick was crucially dropped twice on his way to 40 in the closing stages, but when he was finally caught by Peter Trego at deep cover, and Moeen Ali followed immediately for 21, Somerset were suddenly favourites.

Earlier Kieswetter had given another demonstration of his immense talent with a brilliant innings, made off 82 balls, with three sixes and nine fours.

On a perfect batting track, the Sabres knew they needed to set a big target.

Trescothick was again in sparkling form, smashing a 24-ball half-century, including seven fours and two sixes, out of a total of 63 for one.

Zander de Bruyn struck a powerful 45 and when he was bowled advancing down the track to a short ball from Harris it was 189 for three in the 23rd over.

James Hildreth missed out, falling for a second-ball duck as he followed a leg-side delivery from Harris and deflected a catch to wicketkeeper Davies.

Dropped on two and twice on 85, Kieswetter lost momentum as he approached his hundred and spent 19 balls in the 80s, the last of which saw him fall lbw trying to sweep a low full toss from Imran Arif.

But Durston, with a 50-ball half-century, and Trego (32) continued the entertaining strokeplay to the delight of a 5,300 crowd.