‘Unbelievable’ Rossouw innings not enough

RILEE Rossouw’s blistering 74 from just 29 balls failed to save Somerset from their first Vitality Blast defeat of the summer as Sussex enjoyed a 47run success at Taunton on Wednesday evening, writes Richard Latham.

The visitors posted 216 for seven after losing the toss, Josh Philippe leading the way with 70 from 43 deliveries, while Ravi Bopara made 48 and Harrison Ward hit 23 off just five balls at the end.

That total did not look like proving enough as Rossouw, pictured, took his tally of runs in four Blast innings for Somerset to 248, at an average of 82.6, with his most devastating display to date.

The South African left-hander blasted five sixes and eight fours, but he lacked any meaningful support and a dramatic late collapse to 169 all out saw Obed McCoy finish with five for 33 and Tymal Mills four for 32 to help Sussex claim their second win in four games.

Somerset skipper Tom Abell said: “We were not at our best in all facets of the game. Sussex were better than us.

“We had a great start to our innings, with Rilee Rossouw playing an outstanding innings, but lost a bit of momentum midway through and Sussex executed really well at the death.

“They made a few more than we would like to have been chasing, but we are in a great place, with confidence high, and it was a good pitch on a fast-scoring ground, with relatively small boundaries, so we still fancied our chances.

“Rilee played some innings. He has taken us by storm with his first few innings and tonight he was unbelievable. From ball one, he struck the ball incredibly and it is great to have a guy like that at the top of our order.”

Sussex bowler McCoy said: “I think the secret was basically keeping the batsmen thinking with variation.”