Kieswetter's century helps Somerset to maintain their perfect start

(GETTY)

Craig Kieswetter hit his second Clydesdale Bank 40 century of the season as Somerset made it maximum points from their first four games with an eight-wicket win over Gloucestershire at Taunton yesterday. The Gladiators were bowled out for 213, Alex Gidman top-scoring with 66 and Kane Williamson making 47. Lewis Gregory returned a career-best four for 27.

Somerset were never tested as Kieswetter and Marcus Trescothick (50) put on 96 for the first wicket in 14 overs. Kieswetter went on to make 108 not out, facing 102 balls and hitting nine fours and four sixes, and has now scored 308 runs in four CB40 innings this season.

The hosts reached their target with six overs to spare and look set to be a formidable force, having finished runners-up last year.

Tim Phillips recorded career-best one-day figures of five for 28 as Essex hammered the Unicorns by eight wickets at the Victory Ground. Phillips removed Josh Knappett, one of only three home players to reach double figures, and then blew away the lower order as the Unicorns could muster only 137 despite 58 from Chris Benham.

They never looked like defending that total and the Eagles made virtually untroubled progress to 140 for two with 5.5 overs to spare.

Matt Prior scored just four on his return to county duty but Sussex secured an easy nine-wicket win against Middlesex in Group A at Hove. Prior's only scoring shot was a straight drive up the Hove slope for four off Tim Murtagh but in the second over he looked surprised when umpire Andrew Hicks upheld Ashes team-mate Steve Finn's lbw appeal.

It was the only success Middlesex's bowlers were to enjoy as Ed Joyce and Luke Wright put on a second-wicket stand of 118 to ease their side to victory in the 23rd over. A fast outfield and easy-paced pitch meant they needed to take few risks and it was only when the target was in sight that either batsman began to open their shoulders.

Wright hit a flat six off Neil Dexter over extra cover and 11 boundaries on his way to only his second domestic one-day half-century since 2009. The England all-rounder finished undefeated on 71 from 68 balls while Joyce contributed 47 from 63 with three fours and a six over long on off slow left-armer Tom Smith.