SOMERSET fell agonisingly short of Kent's massive score of 227-7 at the County Ground this afternoon despite a spectacular innings of 151 not out by Chris Gayle.

Kent took full toll of some indifferent bowling to rattle along at 11 runs an over. Once Joe Denly was run out, skipper Sam Northeast (114) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (51) added a quickfire 94 for the second wicket to hush the bumper crowd.

For all Somerset's batting riches it was clear that only a special innings from Gayle was going to threaten the target Kent set.

And the West Indian superstar delivered in style, reaching his 100 in just 45 balls.

He just about kept the Cidermen in the hunt and with Mitchell Claydon bowling from the river end, Gayle left needing to score 14 from the last three balls.

The first ball went for four, but the second slid down the leg side to the keeper off his pad to end Somerset's hopes.

A showman to the end, Gayle still hit the final ball of the match out of the ground for his 15th six to reach 151 off just 62 balls.