Somerset stun Hampshire with record T20 Blast chase
What a night of cricket it was at Edgbaston, where Somerset pulled off one of the most remarkable chases in T20 Blast history to beat Hampshire and lift their third title. The match had everything—fireworks with the bat, moments of tension, and a finish that will be remembered for years to come.
Hampshire were first to set the tone, putting 194 on the board in their 20 overs. It was Toby Albert who stole the spotlight for them, smashing 85 from just 48 balls and confirming his status as this season’s leading run-scorer. Alongside him, captain James Vince chipped in with a stylish 52, and for much of their innings it looked as though Hampshire were headed for a fourth Blast crown. The total they posted matched the highest score ever in a final, and under the Edgbaston lights, it felt like a mountain too tall for Somerset.
But cricket can be cruel to the favorites, and Somerset had Will Smeed. The young opener played what could only be described as the innings of his career, belting 94 from 58 deliveries. His knock wasn’t just about power—it was about timing, composure, and an almost stubborn refusal to let the required run rate slip out of reach. He cracked 14 boundaries and a six, keeping Somerset in touch even as wickets fell around him.
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At one point, with 76 needed from just six overs, the task seemed near impossible. But Smeed found an ally in Sean Dickson. Their 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket turned the momentum completely. Dickson, who finished unbeaten on 33, was dropped at a crucial stage, a moment Hampshire will look back on with regret. That reprieve gave Somerset the breathing space to claw back control.
Smeed fell agonizingly close to a century, caught on the boundary with 18 still required. For a moment, Hampshire’s hopes flickered. But then came captain Lewis Gregory, and in just a handful of balls he ended all doubt. Two thunderous sixes and a four later, Somerset were home with an over to spare, finishing on 195 for four—the highest score ever recorded in a T20 Blast final.
The victory was sweet redemption for Somerset, who had been humbled in the 2024 final but now secured their second crown in three years. With this win, they joined Hampshire and Leicestershire on three titles each, underlining their consistency in recent seasons.
After the match, Smeed called it “unbelievable” and praised the depth of Somerset’s squad, where different players had stepped up at different times in the campaign. Gregory, meanwhile, admitted they had “done it the hard way,” but said that only made it more special.
For Hampshire, it was heartbreak. They had batted brilliantly, with Albert in particular dazzling, but on the night, they were undone by a Somerset side that refused to be beaten. Cricket can be unforgiving, but this final belonged to Will Smeed and to Somerset, who chased history and caught it.
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