Byrom strikes out to give Somerset an edge at Lord’s

Eddie By romp lay ed the innings of his career to hand Somerset the advantage over Essex on day two of the Bob Willis Trophy final at Lord’s.

Byrom,a 23- year-old Zimbabwe an with an Irish passport, came into this showpiece with a top score of 30 in the competition and an average of only 17 but ended his knock a potential matchwinner.

On his first appearance at the home of cricket he converted an overnight half-century into a compelling 117 to power the Taunton side to a sizeable firstinnings total of 301 all out.

Play had resumed with matters in the balance, Somerset on 119 for four, and Byrom seized the initiative in tandem with England’s Craig Overton, who struck a vibrant 66 in a stand worth 127.

The day began positive - ly for Essex, Steven Davies out for 27 when he pushed at Sam Cook and fed Adam Wheat era simple catch behind the stumps.

Over ton reached his half-century in 85 balls, a punchy contribution from No 7, but Byrom spent the lunch break stranded on 97 after opting against attacking Simon Harmer’s last over before the break.

He did not have long to wait after the restart, pinging an on-drive for his 15th four as Cook overpitched a touch. The empty ground soon came to life with roars of approval from the Somerset balcony, as Byrom twirled his bat in delight.

The weather turned and the players went off for more than two and a half hours. It eventually relented and Jamie Porter trapped Over ton lbw with the fourth delivery of his spell, while Cook finally found a way past Byrom, who was given after being hit on the knee-roll.

Lewis Gregory was hit on the back leg swiping messily at Cook’s deliver y and, after 19 wicketless overs, Harmer wrapped up the innings, skittlingJa ck Leach and Jack Brooks with successive balls.

Sir Alastair Cook and Nick Browne made their way to the middle to face three overs but the umpires decided against resuming due to bad light.