Spin ace Derrick Brangman living the dream
Derrick Brangman reaffirmed his status as a proven match-winner after bowling Somerset to a famous Cup Match victory over St George’s.
The experienced left-arm spinner tormented the batters with his full repertoire of deliveries on the way to a brilliant match haul of eight for 72 as holders Somerset prevailed by an innings and 90 runs to tighten their grip on the trophy.
“It feels good and this is my first two-to-one victory” Brangman told The Royal Gazette.
“I wasn’t a part of the other one because I got suspended, but I helped make it happen this year.”
The St David’s captain took four for 22 in the first St George’s innings which he followed up with four for 50 in their second.
St George’s were comfortably poised to secure a draw at 100 for one at tea in their second innings on the second day before Brangman and fellow spinner Dion Stovell intervened when play resumed. The spin duo triggered another dramatic collapse which saw the nine remaining St George’s wickets falling for 77 runs in 24 overs.
“I just kept the ball on the wicket, got some turn here and there and mixed it up with a lot of variations,” Brangman said.
“That wicket was hard to bowl on, though. I am not taking away from any of the bowlers as getting 20 wickets was a lot of work.”
With the challengers trying desperately to save the match inside the final 20 overs, Brangman bowled last man Zeko Burgess to seal victory and ignite wild celebrations around the ground and beyond.
“It felt like I had completed a dream getting that last wicket,” Brangman said.
“The stalling by St George’s was frustrating, though. That’s cricket but they have to do better; the guy [Jonté Smith] going down and all that is unnecessary.”
