Somerset over-confidence gets Steelbacks skipper David Willey ‘revved up’

After bowling the Steelbacks out for 143, the reigning champions will have certainly fancied their chances of chasing that target down and easing into a third final in the space of four years.

But Willey felt some of the players acted a little over confidently between innings, and they were soon made to regret that as the left-arm seamer roared in to dismiss England batter Tom Banton with the first ball of their reply.

Somerset were soon 12 for three, and although they were well placed at 98 for four in the 16th over, they fell away badly to close on 126 for nine to lose by 17 runs.

It was a brilliant win for the Steelbacks, who had lost twice to the west country side in the Central & West Group stages, and Willey was delighted to finally get one over on the Cidermen.

"I think for two and a half games, we have been absolutely diabolical against Somerset, but we turned it on the last hour-and-a-half," said the Steelbacks captain.

"There was a moment when I walked out there, we were just going out for the second half, and Somerset looked like they had just won it.

"That's what it looked like to me, and that is like a red rag to a bull as far as I'm concerned.

"Coming from little old Northampton I don't like that and it really got me revved up.

"Generally speaking, when I am revved up then I play my best cricket, so I found that very satisfying."

Also very satisfying for Willey was a return to form with the ball, with the player admitting he has 'bowled dross' in some of his side's recent matches.

And it was a private training session with dad Peter that helped him rediscover his mojo as he claimed three for 17 from his four overs.

"The last few games I have bowled dross at times, so I had two-and-a-bit hours with my old man last week, trying to find a bit of rhythm and work out where on earth it's gone wrong," said Willey.

"After the disappointment of having a pretty shocking bit of cricket with the bat, it was nice to go out there and start the way we did.

"That was always going to be imperative if we were going to go on and win the match."

As well as his excellent work with the ball, Willey produced an amazing piece of fielding to help dismiss Somerset dangerman Craig Overton in the 18th over.

The big all-rounder sent a Ben Sanderson delivery hurtling towards the long-on boundary.

Willey dived full length to catch the ball but was going to end up over boundary rope, so threw the ball to waiting team-mate Saif Zaib to complete the catch.

It was a huge moment as, instead of Somerset being 117 for six and needing 27 to win from 15 balls, they were 111 for seven, needing 33!

"They keep saying I am getting old and stuff, but I like to prove people wrong," beamed Willey.

"I saw Saif coming, I put a name on it, and I knew the first bit of the job was to get my hands solidly on the ball, and then put in a decent offload.

"You do practice them now, it is something that you have to work on."