[Watch] Lewis Gregory cleans up Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith in successive deliveries during the semi-final game of T20 Blast 2024
Somerset pacer Lewis Gregory made a notable start in the T20 Blast 2024 semi-final, dismissing Surrey’s Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith in his first over. The match is taking place at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Saturday, September 14.
The dismissals occurred in the eighth over of Surrey’s innings. Gregory first removed Ollie Pope with the third ball of the over. Attempting an aggressive shot, the right-handed batter was deceived by Gregory’s knuckleball, which hit the stumps. Pope scored 19 runs off 17 balls, in a knock that included three boundaries.
On the very next delivery, Gregory dismissed Jamie Smith for a golden duck with a superb ball. The full delivery tempted Smith into a drive but beat his outside edge and shattered the off-stump. Smith’s wicket left Surrey at 69/3 after 7.4 overs.
Here’s the video of the dismissals:
The 32-year-old claimed three wickets in his four-over spell, giving away just 15 runs.
A brilliant effort from Somerset's bowlers restricted Surrey to a low score
Somerset captain Lewis Gregory won the toss and chose to bowl first. Craig Overton struggled initially, conceding 16 runs in his opening over. However, Josh Davey provided Somerset with their first breakthrough in the second over by dismissing Daniel Lawrence for 19 off 11 balls.
Dominic Sibley and Ollie Pope then formed a 43-run partnership off 33 balls for the second wicket before Gregory dismissed Pope for 19. On the very next delivery, the pacer removed Jamie Smith.
Rory Burns and Sibley added 36 runs for the fourth wicket before Burns was run out for 14. Sibley scored 48 off 36 balls, including three boundaries and one six, before becoming Gregory’s third victim. With his dismissal, Surrey was reduced to 111/5 in 13.3 overs.
Laurie Evans contributed 22 off 19 balls towards the end, helping Surrey finish at 153/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Gregory and Josh Davey each took three wickets for Somerset while Jake Ball claimed two.
Somerset's innings is yet to start at the time of writing.