Vitality Blast - South Group

Somerset 229-3 beat Middlesex 174-6 by 38 runs (DLS)

LEWIS Gregory produced a superb all-round display as Somerset returned to winning ways in the Vitality Blast by seeing off Middlesex in a rain-affected match in Taunton.

The skipper, who was heavily linked with the visitors prior to signing a new three-year deal with Somerset 10 days ago, smashed 62 from 26 balls before taking 4-28 as the hosts ran out victors by 38 runs.

Peter Trego (60), Tom Abell (31) and Corey Anderson (41*) also impressed with the bat in Somerset's 229-6, a total which looked a long way off when they lost three wickets in the third over.

Former Somerset 2nd XI paceman Tom Barber was the architect, removing both openers in the space of three balls before James Hildreth was strangled down the leg side without scoring - though replays showed the ball hit his thigh pad.

It was left to Peter Trego and Tom Abell to rebuild and both moved through the gears after a watchful start.

Trego took a particular liking to Ashton Agar, taking 24 from the Australian spinner's first over, while Abell was rotating the strike well as the pair added 83 in 7.3 overs.

Both departed in quick succession and, after a couple of hefty blows from Corey Anderson, his skipper Gregory took centre stage.

The all-rounder, who struck a 22-ball 50 in a losing cause at Surrey on Friday, continued where he left off and took the visiting attack apart.

Boundaries arrived all around the wicket as Gregory raced to 50 in 21 balls, leading Somerset past 200 for the first time this season in the process, and by the time he was excellently caught by Ravi Patel he had hit eight fours and four sixes in his 62.

Corey Anderson was reduced to an unfamiliar support role but still finished with an unbeaten 41 from 24 balls to leave the visitors requiring 11.5 an over.

Somerset started superbly with the ball as Middlesex failed to score from the first nine balls of the reply, Max Waller opening up with a wicket maiden as Max Holden chipped to Tom Abell at cover.

Gregory brought himself on and continued his fine individual display to claim the scalps of Gubbins (10), clean bowled by a fast yorker, and captain Eoin Morgan (10), who spooned to Jerome Taylor at mid-on.

Then came Jamie Overton's moment of magic. Backpedalling at long-on trying to judge Paul Stirling's powerful heave, he got two hands to it but felt himself tumbling over the rope. With that in mind, he threw it up, hopped either side of the rope and caught it on his way back, sparking wild celebrations from players and supporters.

From 50-4 it was a long way back for the visitors, who progressed to 88-4 after 10.1 overs when a heavy shower interruputed proceedings.

Facing a revised target of 213 in 18 overs when play resumed, Middlesex were never in the hunt despite a brisk 55 from Stevie Eskinazi, who became Gregory's fourth victim in the penultimate over when he picked out Roelof van der Merwe on the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Speaking afterwards, Gregory said: "We were disappointed with how we played on Friday [against Surrey] so it was important to bounce back today, which we've done well.

"You don't get many better home days than that - it's nice to have a comfortable win in a T20.

"Trego's knock was vital and he and Abes [Tom Abell] set the platform for me and Corey at the end.

"I've been striking the ball really well and it's nice to carry that on to the pitch."