Somerset and Middlesex heading in opposite directions as Ben Green feasts on yet more wickets

SAM DALLING AT TAUNTON: Somerset are, just like the energy drinks, relentless and in their prime. They are, without doubt, one of the competition's top four sides. Weaknesses in their line-up? None that the average punter can discern

Taunton: Middlesex 136, Somerset 142-1 - Somerset won by nine wickets

Less a case of two ships passing in the night, more one sinking sans lifeboat and another bound for St Tropez's white sands. Somerset and Middlesex are at very different stages of their T20 life cycles, both in the context of this summer and more widely. The former's positive five from five is reflected by the latter's identical, yet much more negative record.

This was not quite the Friday night thriller this sell-out westcountry crowd were thirsty for. But their hydration came in the form of cider a plenty and a satiating pair of points.  

Somerset are, just like the energy drinks, relentless and in their prime. They are, without doubt, one of the competition's top four sides. Weaknesses in their line-up? None that the average punter can discern. Sure, they will lose the odd game, but expect them to sail out of the group stages. And with a fair wind, they will be at Edgbaston for Finals Day.

Their sextet of bowlers restricted Middlesex to 136. Ben Green helped himself to four-for (4 for 20). It is astounding the number of wickets he picks up.

There is something about Green that opposition underestimate. So many perish trying to belt him onto the surrounding roads. So often, it fails. What Green lacks in pace, he makes up for in accuracy, plus his roll-the-fingers delivery is much developed. His returns are now 31 wickets since last season's tournament began. Tasty.

^{Tom Kohler-Cadmore enjoyed himself with the bat again [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Before him came Craig Overton. At times during his one and only burst, it felt like a County Championship pre-lunch session. Ball meet bat? Nah, ball beat bat. 18 dots in total, 10 of them with Stephen Eskinazi flailing about. It was uncharacteristic from Middlesex's skipper, who tried just about everything to navigate away from the square. But when he danced toward the bowler - which he did regularly - it was so overwhelmingly obvious that Overton followed him.

Lewis Gregory decided to use Overton straight through, and it was the right call. Why save someone for later when you can have him now? For all his powers, Overton is just as likely to go for runs at the back end. So, when he is nipping it about, use him: four wicketless overs cost just 15 runs.

The batting? Well, it is very Tom-centric. A trio of them were required, the leader being Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Despite being marooned on 49 for a whole four deliveries, his unbeaten 64 came from 31 balls. Not really a sticky patch, then. To finish, with the scores tied, he smoked Toby Roland-Jones over long on to send Taunton into a collective state of delirium.

Kohler-Cadmore plays a different game to the rest. The speed of his ball striking, the sheer terminal power he generates is quite astounding. Roland-Jones had earlier been boshed for one of the sweetest straight sixes watchers will ever see, only to be caressed through cover soon after.

Tom Abell provided his usual mixture of placement and manipulation, twice teasing fielders off Luke Hollman's bowling.

^{Craig Overton bowled 18 dot balls [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Tom Banton also made a telling contribution before retiring not out. Banton's flicks, flacks, whacks and smacks are a joy to watch. There is a languid subtlety to his batting. He is aware of his talents and happy to play a patient game.

Whereas some modern T20 superstars rely purely on power, he relies on deftness, on touch, on being able to scoop Tom Helm over the wicketkeeper's head. His opening partner, Will Smeed, also made a welcome return to form.

Middlesex's Blast journey is now one of toil. Nine straight victories might get them into a quarter-final but that simply won't happen. This is a side with an abundance of talent but very little by the way of confidence, and not quite enough experience or know how.

There were encouraging knocks from Jack Davies and Martin Andersson. But that their two top-scorers came in at No.7 and No.8 paints much of the picture. They are severely lacking up top. If Eskinazi and Joe Cracknell don't get them off to a flyer, they struggle. 

A couple of dropped catches summed up both their night and their tournament: just not quite there. Like Somerset, they had plenty of attacking intent. But while Somerset's ball strikers combined poise and balance, Middlesex's had head and limbs everywhere. It was not pretty watching, and the coach journey home will, one suspects, be silent. 

The cut off time may have been 9.18pm but Somerset were finished well before nine bells. Do the locals feel short-changed? The general sense is no. And anyway, Kohler-Cadmore and Abell merrily signed autographs for awe-struck youngsters until the floodlights were truly required.