Livingstone Controversy Halts Lancashire as Somerset Reach Third Consecutive Blast Final
Somerset secured their place in a third consecutive Vitality Blast final after a hard-fought 23-run victory over a depleted Lancashire side in the first semi-final at Edgbaston. Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s composed 81 off 52 balls anchored Somerset’s innings, while Liam Livingstone’s controversial dismissal sparked a collapse that derailed Lancashire’s chase.
Kohler-Cadmore Anchors Somerset to 182
Having been put in to bat on a brisk September morning, Somerset overcame early pressure to post a competitive 182 for 7. Kohler-Cadmore, who was just 1 off 9 balls early in his innings, shifted gears with some powerful hitting — including four sixes — as he brought up a 38-ball half-century. He found key support from captain Lewis Gregory (29 off 20), with the pair adding 57 off 31 balls for the fifth wicket.
George Balderson (3 for 31), playing his first T20 of the season, was Lancashire's standout bowler, while James Anderson, returning to Finals Day for the first time since 2005, claimed the key wicket of Tom Abell.
Jennings and Livingstone Launch, But Collapse Follows
In response, Lancashire started brightly with captain Keaton Jennings setting the tone. He smashed 44 off 28 balls, including two sixes off Craig Overton, and shared a brisk stand with Liam Livingstone. Together, the pair helped Lancashire race to 73 for 2 inside the powerplay.
Livingstone, who had starred in the quarterfinal with an unbeaten 85, continued his rich vein of form with three towering sixes. However, the turning point came in the 12th over when he was adjudged lbw to Gregory. The decision was upheld on review despite apparent signs of an inside edge, leaving Livingstone visibly frustrated.
His dismissal at 102 for 4 proved decisive. From that point, Somerset’s experience showed, with Pretorius (3 for 27) and Ben Green closing out the innings effectively.
Lancashire’s Absences Felt
Lancashire were without six first-choice players, including England stars Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, and Saqib Mahmood. Two players, including debutant spinner Arav Shetty, were making their first appearances of the season. Shetty didn’t bowl and was later dismissed by a brilliant diving catch from Gregory — symbolic of Somerset’s sharper fielding on the day.
Lancashire’s innings ended in disarray, as Balderson was bizarrely retired out before his replacement, Tom Hartley, was dismissed first ball. Rain began to fall during the final over, adding to the anticlimactic finish.
Somerset Hold Nerve, Eye Blast Glory Again
Despite being without key players of their own — including Riley Meredith (recalled by Australia) and Tom Banton (on England duty) — Somerset managed to deliver under pressure. Kohler-Cadmore’s knock stood out in a game where every run counted, while Pretorius and Green’s composed death bowling sealed the win.
Somerset will now look to add another T20 title to their growing white-ball legacy, having now reached the final for a third straight season.
Score Summary:
Somerset: 182/7 (Kohler-Cadmore 81, Gregory 29; Balderson 3-31)
Lancashire: 159 all out (Jennings 44, Livingstone 28; Pretorius 3-27, Green 2-25)
Result: Somerset won by 23 runs
Player of the Match: Tom Kohler-Cadmore