Will Smeed stole the headlines but take nothing away from Ben Green

SAM DALLING: With Craig Overton available, Ben Green would have been thinking, 'Am I playing tonight?' He did, and became just the seventh Somerset bowler to take a T20 five-for

Will Smeed stole the headlines. An unbeaten 94 tends to do that. Oh, and it was off just 41 balls.

But let's talk about Ben Green. Sometimes after lunch he will have gathered his kit together, lugged it into the boot and driven towards Taunton. In the back of his mind, would have been the thought, 'Am I playing tonight?'

He has made himself a regular in the T20 side these last couple of seasons, as well as leading the Royal London Cup side. But twelve into eleven doesn’t go, and with Craig Overton sensibly released from the England bubble - he was never going to be left out (although somewhat surprisingly he didn’t take the new ball) - realistically it was Green or Lewis Goldsworthy to make way.

The Somerset committee came together and kept Green in. Their faith was rewarded.

Kiran Carlson was first to go, flashing a bit and skying a catch to Roelof van der Merwe. Sam Northeast smashed straight at Lewis Gregory, although it was a kindness in truth. His form has been superb in the early stages but rhythm eluded him in a laboured 19 from 25. Then dropped Chris Cooke, such a dangerous customer, again Gregory the catcher. 

^{Will Smeed stole the headlines [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Three will do? Not quite. Eddie Byrom, returning to his former home, perhaps with a point to prove, was starting to motor. 37 off 26 and a chance of a late flourish: off stump knocked out with an in swinging yorker.  The subsequent fist pump suggested there was a little extra chilli in that one. James Weighell’s stay was just the one ball, again a yorker, this time leg stump removed.

And with that Green became only the seventh man to claim a T20 five-fer for Somerset. The mobbing from his teammates was well earned, the ovation from a partisan home crowd likewise.

Described by those who know him as mildly eccentric, Green is well liked at Somerset. He represented England U-19s as a young 'un, and has been on the staff a while. Nearly 25 now, there are some supporters who wondered what his role might be. He is beginning to answer that particular query: proof then that not everyone bursts on as a superstar at 18. Nor does everyone have to.

He will always live in the shadows of the Smeeds of this world, and that is quite alright.  At one point his moustache's Twitter account had more followers, but he would have added several tonight.

5 for 29 from Green’s four helped restrict Glamorgan to a well below par 173 for 7. Marnus Labuschagne made just a single, but when the heavens opened an hour before the start, was still more than willing to make time for the youngsters gathered around the Andy Caddick Pavilion seeking his autograph. And many a day he made, beaming grins from those who could barely believe their eyes.

Most pleasing for Somerset will be their rapid learning curve. In the defeat to Sussex 48-hours prior they were given an exhibition in how to take the ‘pace off’ having gone 'pace on'.

The result was virtually a formality. Smeed smeared (once you’ve heard that, it is hard to unhear it) eight sixes with Weighell, Hogan and Neser all being swatted away towards his favoured leg-side. Douthwaite went short and was cut over point and then pulled over mid-wicket. It was exhibition worthy. 

^{Ben Green celebrates removing Eddie Byrom [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Hogan returned, put one in the block hole and sailed towards the Taunton canoe club. Labuschagne tried some leg-spin and received similar treatment.

Hang this up knock up in La Louvre and charge a premium. The punters will line-up croissants in hand. They flooded out of the Cooper Associates County Ground buzzing, that Friday night feeling flowing.

A word for Tom Banton too whom, after a scratchy start, showed signs of fluency. Douthwaite and Weighell both sailed into the Somerset stand. By the time he fell on 45, the board read 100 from just 9.2 overs.

Rilee Rossouw was happy to play second fiddle for a time, and thoughts turned to a Smeed hundred. It would have been his first having twice fallen for 99 in the PSL. Not one to stand on ceremony though, Rossouw added a few sixes to finish unbeaten on 30 from 15. 

Smeed did though pass 1,000 T20 runs early in his knock. And he will add several thousand more. Minimum.

£1400 towards the Mondli Khumalo recovery fund, courtesy of Trade Nation, and four wins from five. A night well done for Somerset.

A tough evening from Glamorgan who lacked a little buzz. They are much better than this showing: sometimes the opposition just have a better day. Having only played at Cardiff one in their opening five, home comforts beckon.

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