Cricket Eddie looking forward to Vitality Blast encore at Taunton

EDDIE Byrom is relishing the prospect of his second appearance in front of a packed Taunton crowd when Kent Spitfires visit the Cooper Associates County Ground tomorrow (7pm), writes Richard Latham.

It is the second of two Vitality Blast South Group games in the space of 24 hours for Somerset, who face Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl tonight.

For 22-year-old Byrom, pictured, the matches represent an opportunity to build on an exhilarating start to his T20 career. The Zimbabweborn batsman was considered by many to be more suited to Championship cricket, but when brought into Somerset’s Blast team for the recent home game against Surrey he blasted 54 not out off just 19 balls, with six fours and four sixes, to help win a high-scoring game.

He proved that was no fluke by clearing the ropes four more times in smiting 44 off 22 deliveries against Essex on Wednesday, again showing a big-match temperament in front of a partisan Chelmsford crowd.

Not surprisingly, Byrom is enjoying every moment of the special atmosphere at Blast fixtures.

Reflecting on the Surrey game, he said: “It was the first time I had played in front of a full house at Taunton. Going in to bat and hearing the noise was something very different.

“What a feeling it was. When the whole crowd shout something at once it is simply amazing. And then to hit the winning runs was very special. Just being in the middle of that sort of atmosphere is unbelievable. I loved every minute and can’t wait to experience it again.”

Lewis Gregory still has a protective boot on his damaged foot and Somerset, who have named an unchanged squad for the Hampshire game, are keen not to rush him back and risk aggravating the problem.

Head coach Jason Kerr said: “It could develop into a stress fracture if we are not careful. The boot will come off soon and Lewis will start his rehab.”