Somerset seal third Vitality Blast with record chase over Hampshire

Somerset completed a record run chase to beat Hampshire by six wickets at Edgbaston on Saturday, claiming their third Vitality Blast title and their second in three years. Sent in, Hampshire made 194 for six before Somerset overhauled the target, finishing 195 for four with an over to spare to seal victory in the T20 final.

Will Smeed anchored the Somerset chase with a blistering 94 off 58 balls, striking 14 fours and a six, while Sean Dickson added an unbeaten 33 to steady the innings after a middle-order wobble. Captain Lewis Gregory finished the game in spectacular fashion, clubbing four sixes in an unbeaten 18 off five balls to guide his side home. Somerset had earlier beaten Lancashire by 23 runs in the first semi on Finals Day to reach the decider.

Hampshire had set a challenging total after being put into bat. Opener Toby Albert made 85 from 48 balls, including two sixes and ten fours, and James Vince contributed a 34-ball 52 as the Hawks posted a competitive score. Benny Howell’s late 26 not out helped push Hampshire past 190. Somerset were 89 for three in the 10th over, but Smeed’s partnership with Dickson carried them through to the finish.