Cricket Review | Somerset win T20 Blast

A closer look at how Somerset won the T20 Blast on a dramatic finals day

Somerset, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Lancashire arrived in Birmingham with dreams of taking home the trophy

Author | Jamie P

Stadium | Edgbaston

How Somerset reached their third final in a row

Somerset (182-7) beat Lancashire (159 all out)

Tom Kohler-Cadmore's 81 off 52 balls powered Somerset to 182-7 in their 20 overs at Edgbaston. Liam Livingstone and Keaton Jennings had Lancashire well placed in the chase at 78-2 but Kohler-Cadmore's wonderful diving catch in the deep removed Jennings for 44.

England all-rounder Livingstone struck three big sixes before he was given out lbw off Lewis Gregory despite claiming he got an inside edge and reviewing the decision.

Replays were inconclusive with the bat next to the pad and Livingstone was furious as he left the field.

At 102-4 in the 12th over when Livingstone went, Lancashire lost momentum under darkening skies and were bowled out for 159 in the final over.

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Somerset will now play the winners of the second semi-final between Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Hampshire Hawks in the final later on Saturday.

Although Livingstone's wicket, just as he was beginning to motor, turned the game in Somerset's favour, some outstanding fielding contributed to their victory.

Kohler-Cadmore claimed two catches inches above the turf, and Gregory and Migael Pretorius also took stunning diving efforts.

Earlier, new dad Kohler-Cadmore was the only Somerset batter to find any real timing on a sticky pitch, striking six fours and four sixes as he looked on course to make the first century at Finals Day.

Lancashire paceman George Balderson (3-31) had him caught on the boundary, but Craig Overton and Pretorius helped Somerset to an above-par score by hitting Tom Aspinwall for 21 off the final over.

Alongside the controversy of Livingstone's dismissal, Lancashire also made an unusual move at the start of the 19th over, retiring Balderson who had seven off six balls, and replacing him with Tom Hartley.

It backfired as Hartley chipped Ben Green to Kohler-Cadmore first ball.

James Anderson took 2-34 in what might be his last Finals Day and came out to bat as the rain arrived in Birmingham with Somerset strolling to victory by 23 runs.

How Somerset came out on top in the final

Somerset (195-4) beat Hampshire (194-6)

Will Smeed’s superb 94 from 58 balls provided the foundation for Somerset’s innings, with Sean Dickson adding a valuable unbeaten 33.

Smeed departed at the start of the 19th over with 18 still required, but captain Lewis Gregory arrived to strike two sixes and carry Somerset to 195 for four, the highest total in a Blast final.

Hampshire, buoyed by Chris Lynn’s semi-final century, responded strongly with the bat once more, reaching 194 for six. Toby Albert top-scored with 85 from 48 deliveries to finish as the competition’s leading run-scorer this season, yet his efforts were not enough to prevent Somerset from clinching their third title.

Victory adds to Somerset’s triumphs in 2005 and 2023, drawing them level with Hampshire and Leicestershire on three Blast crowns.

Somerset captain Lewis Gregory told the media:  "It's great to be part of this team. Year in, year out we're challenging for this trophy and to get over the line is mighty special. It's much easier out there than to be watching, I guess you're in control of things. When you're watching, you're wishing the lads to smash a few out of the park and to do it is an amazing feeling.”