Gloucestershire 129 for two (Hammond 58*, Bancroft 53) beat Somerset 124 (Gregory 53, M Taylor 3-18, Payne 3-27) by eight wickets
Gloucestershire claimed their maiden T20 title, and West Nation bragging rights into the cut price, as they crushed defending champions Somerset in a one-sided Blast last at Edgbaston. An eight-wicket margin of victory, sealed by Ollie Value’s six over long-on with 30 balls to spare, advised the story as Gloucestershire marched to their first piece of silverware since 2015.
For the second Finals Day operating, all 4 groups got here from the South Group. Gloucestershire arrived because the underdogs, having squeaked via in fourth place on web run-rate – however after seeing off Birmingham Bears on their very own patch within the quarter-final, they returned to Edgbaston to demolish Sussex within the second semi, then took aside their cider nation rivals with one other impressed bowling efficiency. Somerset’s bid to develop into the primary group to efficiently defend the Blast title fell on the last hurdle, hopes of a home treble brusquely shelved within the course of.
Gloucestershire’s success was made all of the extra poignant by the presence of membership president, David “Syd” Lawrence, the previous England quick bowler who was recognized earlier this 12 months with motor neurone illness. It was additionally a rousing efficiency from a county who’ve had their struggles, going through monetary insecurity and battling within the flawed half of Division Two within the County Championship. However Mark Alleyne, in his first season again as head coach, has steered a facet that includes eight homegrown gamers to a memorable T20 success.
Chasing the dream
Somerset’s wicket-taking prowess was behind their 2023 victory, once they defended 145 within the last towards Essex. However they have been even lighter on runs this time round and couldn’t conjure the early breakthroughs required to jangle Gloucestershire nerves.
Gloucestershire had twice overwhelmed Somerset when chasing throughout the group stage however each of these video games have been helter-skelter affairs. This was medical, although not completely business-like, as Hammond channelled the temper within the Hollies Stand by belting Jake Ball and Roelof van der Merwe for sixes to hurry Gloucestershire in direction of their goal.
Bancroft struck van der Merwe for back-to-back fours to boost a 39-ball half-century, earlier than Hammond went to the mark from 36 balls within the following over, clouting Ben Inexperienced over long-on for one more serene six. No group had ever received the T20 last by a ten-wicket margin and Somerset saved themselves from that ignominy by dismissing Bancroft and James Bracey. However the end result was already within the submit.
Taylor-made begin for Gloucs
Somerset have been trying not solely to make historical past by profitable back-to-back T20 titles, however develop into the primary group since Worcestershire in 2018 to carry the trophy after coming via the primary semi-final. Having been inserted, Somerset bought off to a good begin – definitely higher than the 7 for 3 after 2.1 overs they managed earlier within the day – as Payne’s first two overs price 19, solely to return unstuck towards Gloucestershire’s different left-armer.
Matt Taylor is much less heralded than Payne however barely much less efficient, and he struck 3 times in his first two overs. His first ball induced a slash to backward level from Will Smeed, earlier than a intelligent change of tempo noticed Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who had hit Payne for 2 sixes within the earlier over, miscue excessive into the off facet. When James Rew, within the third T20 knock of his skilled profession, punched uppishly to the diving Bancroft at brief cowl, Taylor had startling figures of three for 7.
Three down on the finish of the powerplay, issues bought worse for Somerset. Sean Dickson had been their matchwinner within the semi – and top-scored in each video games eventually 12 months’s Finals Day – however departed for a golden duck this time round, lacking a reverse-sweep at Ollie Value’s second supply. Somerset have been 42 for 4 and up towards it.
Gregory cannot soothe Somerset Payne
Within the absence of Dickson, Gregory stepped into the firefighter function. He and Tom Abell ticked over initially, taking the rating to 63 for 4 at midway, earlier than the captain started to play some pictures in an try to offer Somerset one thing defendable. The left-arm spin of Tom Smith was focused, Gregory clubbing six straight again down the bottom earlier than lofting the subsequent ball over further cowl. Abell was much less profitable taking the aerial route, nevertheless, as he drove Tom Value down the throat of long-on to finish a stand price 44.
Gregory misplaced one other companion when van der Merwe despatched a flying edge straight into Bracey’s outstretched proper glove, however raised a combating fifty off 33 balls with a nudge for one off Matt Taylor. He was dropped firstly of the nineteenth, Ben Charlesworth unable to cling on to a diving effort operating in from the duvet boundary, however grew to become Payne’s third wicket 4 ball later when he picked out long-off.
Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick
