Smeed Stars as Somerset Clinch Record T20 Blast Final with Historic Chase

Smeed Stars as Somerset Clinch Record T20 Blast Final with Historic Chase

Somerset powered to their third T20 Blast title in stunning fashion, completing the highest successful chase in a final as Will Smeed’s blistering 94 led them to a record-breaking win over Hampshire under the lights at Edgbaston.

Set a daunting target of 195 – the highest ever in a Blast final – Somerset overhauled it with an over to spare, thanks to Smeed’s 58-ball masterclass and some late fireworks from Lewis Gregory, who sealed the win with a four and two sixes in five balls to spark jubilant celebrations.

Earlier, Hampshire looked to be in control after a commanding innings from rising star Toby Albert, who smashed 85 off 48 balls, and a composed 52 from captain James Vince. Their 97-run stand for the second wicket laid the platform for a challenging 194 for 6.

Hampshire, making their 11th Finals Day appearance, appeared poised for glory as Somerset's required rate crept above two runs per ball midway through the chase. But the turning point came when Scott Currie dropped Sean Dickson, who went on to add a vital 88-run partnership with Smeed and tilt the game back in Somerset’s favour.

Hampshire Set the Bar High

After being sent in, Hampshire lost Chris Lynn early – the semi-final centurion managing just a quickfire six – but Albert and Vince rebuilt superbly. Albert was particularly audacious, peppering the boundary with a series of reverse-hits, including four in six balls, as he brought up his sixth fifty of the season.

A 25-run over from Migael Pretorius and Vince’s clean hitting took Hampshire to 83 for 1 in the powerplay – the joint highest in a Blast final. Although Somerset pulled things back through Lewis Goldsworthy and Jake Ball, and Albert fell in the 17th over, late blows from Benny Howell ensured a competitive finish.

Smeed Anchors the Record Chase

Somerset's chase began with intent. Tom Kohler-Cadmore ignited the innings by launching Chris Wood and Scott Currie out of the ground, including a six over the Hollies Stand roof. Though he was bowled by a Sonny Baker yorker for 27, Smeed took over.

The 23-year-old opener paced his innings beautifully, holding firm as wickets fell around him. He accelerated in the middle overs, taking on Bjorn Fortuin and Howell to keep the scoreboard ticking. Dickson’s arrival brought momentum, and the duo’s 88-run stand came at a crucial time.

With 59 needed from the last five overs, Dickson innovated – ramping Baker and reverse-sweeping Howell for sixes. The 18th over, which went for 19, swung the match decisively.

Gregory Ices It, Somerset Make History

Smeed fell agonisingly short of a century – caught at long-off for a sublime 94, the highest score in a Blast final – but the job was all but done. Captain Lewis Gregory came in and applied the finishing touches in style, clubbing a four and back-to-back sixes to complete the chase and write Somerset into the record books.

It was a fitting finale to a pulsating match between two of the competition's most storied sides, both appearing in their 11th Finals Day. Somerset not only equalled Leicestershire’s record of three Blast titles but also became the first team since Worcestershire in 2018 to win the trophy after playing the first semi-final.

Final Scorecard Highlights:

Hampshire: 194 for 6 in 20 overs

  • Toby Albert 85 (48)

  • James Vince 52 (33)

  • Lewis Gregory 2 for 30

Somerset: 195 for 4 in 19 overs

  • Will Smeed 94 (58)

  • Sean Dickson 38* (21)

  • Lewis Gregory 20* (5)

Key Stats:

  • Highest successful chase in a T20 Blast final (previous: 192 by Leicestershire in 2004).

  • Will Smeed’s 94: Highest individual score in a Blast final.

  • Somerset’s third Blast title, equalling the all-time record.

  • Fifth consecutive win for a South Group side.

Somerset fans erupted into a chorus of “Somerset, la-la-la” as the players lifted the trophy – a fitting reward for a team that has turned Finals Day resilience into an art form.