Somerset lifted the Vitality Blast trophy for the third time after beating Hampshire by six wickets in a pulsating final at Edgbaston.
Match Analysis
By Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Somerset (195 for four) beat Hampshire Hawks (194 for six) by six wickets.
Hampshire, put in, piled up 194 for six, equalling the highest score in a Blast final, built around a buccaneering second-wicket stand of 97 in 59 balls by Toby Albert (85 from 48) and James Vince (52, 34).
Somerset had to pull off the best Blast final run-chase to take the trophy – and they did, reaching 195 for four with six balls to spare. Will Smeed struck 94 from 58 balls and the middle order helped him crunch 76 from the last five overs, captain Lewis Gregory crowing the chase with an unbeaten 18 from five balls, to break the Hawks’ hearts.
Hampshire were put in, so Chris Lynn returned to the crease that he had left just an hour earlier as the first Finals Day century-maker. Having blitzed Northamptonshire Steelbacks for a 49-ball semi-final ton, this time he reached only 12 before lifting Craig Overton to cover.
The response of Albert and Vince to their team-mate’s demise was brutal. The next eight legitimate balls, from Migael Pretorius and Overton were smashed for five fours and three sixes to leave the Hawks 83 for one after the powerplay.
The Hawks were flying but, just as they had against Lancashire Lightning earlier in the day, Somerset’s bowlers delivered the mid-innings overs very effectively. Vince pulled Lewis Goldsworthy to deep mid-wicket and James Fuller fell to a fine low return catch by Jake Ball.
After a quieter period, Basingstoke boy Albert accelerated again with four fours, all improvised shots behind square, in six balls. He struck ten fours and two sixes before missing a slog at Gregory. Benny Howell’s 19-ball 26 lifted the Hawks to 194 for five, equalling the best score in a Blast final.
Somerset’s reply began briskly with 46 from 29 balls from openers Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, but the Hawks hit back with two wickets in six balls. Kohler-Cadmore was bowled by a perfect yorker from Sonny Baker and Tom Abell hoisted Fuller to deep mid-wicket.
Smeed reached his half-century from 35 balls but the required run-rate began to escalate and Somerset needed 76 from the last six overs. That became 37 from three as Smeed and Sean Dickson (33 not out, 22 balls) hit freely and two sixes from Dickson in the 18th over tilted the contest back Somerset’s way.
Smeed belted Currie to long off and was caught but Gregory marched to the crease full of purpose and self-belief. Five minutes later Somerset’s skipper heaved Currie far into the Hollies Stand to trigger the downing of a few ciders in the vicinity of Taunton, Frome, Weston-Super-Mare, Midsomer Norton and Farrington Gurney.
Hampshire captain James Vince said:
“Congratulations to Somerset. They played really good cricket tonight and were too good for us, but I am proud of our guys and their efforts throughout the competition. We played some good cricket in the final but a few of the guys were struggling with a bit of cramp and unfortunately we came up just short.
“Credit to Somerset. They are always a tough game in the group stages and generally they play better than us in the group stages and get a home quarter-final while we have to do it away from home. They are a good side and tonight they kept us to probably 20 runs less than we wanted and then when they were chasing they just kept finding a boundary whenever they needed it. Smeedy played an unbelievable knock.
“But I’m immensely proud of the boys’ efforts. It’s just disappointing for those of us who only play white-ball cricket, it’s our last game for our coach Adi, who is leaving at the end of the season. that we couldn’t sign off with a win and a trophy for him. He has been awesome to work with over seven years.”
Somerset batter Will Smeed said:
“It’s unbelievable to have won the trophy. I think the key to our success is that we have got match-winners all down the list and we have a pretty settled side over the last few years so there is a lot of role clarity.
“I was pleased to score some runs tonight and to be honest was never thinking about a century. The only focus was on winning the game. The goal whenever you go out to chase in T20 is to come back not out and with the job done so I was disappointed to get out before the end but Lewis went in and smacked it so I couldn’t be happier.
“Nights like this are so special. Edgbaston is an amazing place to play. The atmosphere is always great and it felt like a home game tonight, to be honest.
“I think the most special thing is playing with your mates and helping them succeed. There is an amazing spirit in this squad and I think we’re going to have a great night tonight!”
Match Summary
Somerset vs Hampshire, Final, Vitality Blast
Somerset 195/4 (19 ov)
Hampshire 194/6 (20 ov)
Somerset won by 6 wickets
SCORECARD
Partnership
SOMERSET ARE VITALITY BLAST CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD TIME!!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/6YjEzAxUZh
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 13, 2025
Match Stats
Hampshire Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Chris Lynn – 2.1 ov), 2-121 (James Vince – 11.6 ov), 3-126 (James Fuller – 12.6 ov), 4-166 (Toby Albert – 17.1 ov), 5-191 (Ben Mayes – 19.4 ov), 6-194 (Ali Orr – 19.6 ov)
Somerset Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Tom Kohler-Cadmore – 4.5 ov), 2-55 (Tom Abell – 5.5 ov), 3-89 (James Rew – 9.4 ov), 4-177 (Will Smeed – 18.1 ov)
Wagon Wheel
Playing XI
Somerset
Hampshire
Match Details:
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 18:45
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Toss: Somerset elected to bowl
Umpires: Michael Gough (England) James Middlebrook (England) Sue Redfern (England)
Match Referee: Will Smith (England)
© Cricket World 2025
