Somerset get lift-off as Gayle lights the afterburners

Somerset 181 for 3 (Gayle 49) beat Essex 178 for 7 (ten Doeschate 47, Westley 40) by seven wicketsScorecard

Chris Gayle marked his return to Taunton with a typically flamboyant innings as Somerset won a T20 Blast game for the first time this season.

After missing out at Hove, against Sussex on Wednesday, Gayle struck 49 off 23 balls, to leave Essex nursing a seven wicket defeat – their second of the season.

Gayle, who lit up the west country last year with 328 runs in his three T20 games, was at it again as Somerset chased down 179 inside 18 overs. He struck five fours and four sixes in a 23-ball knock that laid the foundation for a comfortable Somerset win.

Having invited Essex to bat, Somerset made an encouraging start when Jesse Ryder edged a rising delivery from Craig Overton to wicket keeper Ryan Davies.

Dan Lawrence made 22 before Max Waller held on to a sharp chance at backward point at 54 for 2 and Ravi Bopara followed at 67 for 3, …

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