Somerset strengthen top spot with batting masterclass at Essex

Somerset's batting masterclass strengthened their position at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group with a seven-wicket crushing of Essex.

Tom Banton (42), Will Smeed (36), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (28), Tom Abell (40 not out) and Sean Dickson (30 not out) struck 16 sixes between them in an almost perfect team batting performance.

Paul Walter whacked 51 and Robin Das a career-best 72 in a 94-run stand after Essex slumped to 15 for 3. But Somerset ended Essex's five-game winning streak by chasing down 186 with 21 balls to spare to move two points clear at the top of the group.

Smeed and Banton took on the 187 target with the intent of finishing the match in a hurry, the pair smashing 64 in 5.2 overs.

Somerset were only on 11 after two overs before Smeed took Shane Snater for three successive legside sixes in a 23-run over, and then Walter was taken for 15 with both batters helping themselves to maximums.

Smeed's 16-ball 36 salvo ended when he toed to mid-on, but that breakthrough didn't pause the onslaught as Kohler-Cadmore peppered Hayes Close with three sixes and 21 off Matt Critchley.

Kohler-Cadmore cleared the press box but Simon Harmer had him caught next ball and Banton - who had reversed an outrageous six - was leg-before to Sam Cook for 42.

Snater was brought back for a second over, Dickson plonked him over the square leg boundary two more times - the Dutch international going for 42 in his two overs.

Daniel Sams returned 2 for 22 in a rare break from cannon fodder, and could have had three had Das held onto Dickson, but Abell and Dickson eased over the line soon after.

Essex had been stuck in and were three down inside three overs.

Jack Brooks returned from his loan at Nottinghamshire for his first Somerset Blast appearance of the season and had Feroze Khushi caught at deep point and Dan Lawrence skying - boasting 2 for 8 after his first two overs.

New Zealander Matt Henry took the first of his three wickets when Michael Pepper's extravagant shot was touched behind.

But Das and Walter got the hosts out of their hole with two differing ways to bat aggressively. Walter took the aerial route with five sixes - starting with a pair of pulls before towering over cover, slog sweeping Roelof van der Merwe and then reaching his 26-ball fifty by clubbing a full toss over cow corner. He chased to point next ball to fall for 51.

Das showed off his touch play with some beautiful timing in his 11 fours, although he displayed some muscle too with two sixes over long on. His second T20 fifty came in came in 31 balls before unleashing to end up 72 off 39.

He pinged Henry to long on which began Essex's second collapse, losing their last five wickets for 43 runs in 31 balls.

Van der Merwe bowled Sams - before very publicly dislocating and attempting to relocate his finger - Will Buttleman gave Henry 3 for 24, Simon Harmer was run out backing up, Shane Snater run out chasing a second and Matt Critchley caught at short third after an enterprising 30.