A Victory Dedicated to a Legend
As Jack Taylor, the captain of Gloucestershire, reflected on their victory at T20 Finals Day, he expressed the team's solidarity with one of their own. The win, he remarked, was not just for the team but also for David "Syd" Lawrence, a former England fast bowler and current Gloucestershire president, who has been battling motor neurone disease (MND). Taylor hoped the triumph would bring some joy to Lawrence, whose lifelong connection with the club remained strong despite the debilitating illness. Lawrence, who watched from his wheelchair as the disease took its toll, was visibly moved when James Bracey climbed to his box at Edgbaston to present him with the Blast trophy.
Gloucestershire’s road to Finals Day, an achievement they have only managed four times in the competition’s 21-year history, was accompanied by a heartfelt appeal from the Cricketers' Trust, a charity that aids current and former players in need. Lawrence, who had previously received support from the trust after a career-ending knee injury in the '90s, had shared an emotional video about his MND diagnosis earlier in the year. In the video, Lawrence humorously remarked that while the disease may be taking a toll on him physically, it would never defeat his fighting spirit. He joked about the challenges life had thrown at him, remarking that someone up above clearly wasn’t a fan of Gloucestershire.
The outpouring of support for Gloucestershire on Finals Day was palpable, as they stormed through their matches at Edgbaston with back-to-back eight-wicket victories, securing their first-ever T20 title. The victory was one to be celebrated not only throughout Gloucestershire but even across the border in Somerset. Though Somerset fell short in the final, they still had two more chances to add silverware to their cabinet later in the season, offering the West Country cricket scene a potential clean sweep.
Gloucestershire’s Path to Glory
Gloucestershire’s success wasn't down to luck or divine intervention—it was built on a combination of skilful bowling and a batting lineup in top form. Despite being seen as the underdogs among the South Group teams, Gloucestershire dominated the day, taking all 20 wickets in their matches against Sussex and Somerset while losing only four of their own. In the final, they lost just two wickets after the result had all but been decided.
Their route to Finals Day wasn’t smooth, though. Gloucestershire had only won one of their first five games and barely scraped through to the knockouts by edging out Essex on net run rate. However, in a disjointed season that stretched from May to September, Gloucestershire found their rhythm at the perfect moment, defeating North Group winners Birmingham Bears in the quarter-final. That match, played on the Bears' home turf, served as a perfect rehearsal for the big day at Edgbaston.
Their bowlers played a crucial role in the triumph, reminiscent of Somerset’s dominance throughout the 2023 season. Just as Matt Henry and Ben Green had been instrumental for Somerset, David Payne (33 wickets) and Matt Taylor (29 wickets) combined to deliver for Gloucestershire. Payne’s performance in the final—claiming three wickets—equalled the season record set by Somerset’s Alfonso Thomas back in 2010.
While Payne may never have the opportunity to add to his solitary England cap, his contributions to Gloucestershire’s victory were invaluable. He said that the triumph would mean everything to the club and the fans, comparing the celebrations to the one-day win in 2015, which felt like it was celebrated for an entire year. Payne was sure the supporters would savour this victory just as much.
Gloucestershire’s fans had been starved for reasons to cheer in recent years. Their brief stint in Division One of the County Championship in 2022 ended in relegation after a winless campaign, and the club recently announced financial losses of £1.2m. Additionally, discussions about potentially selling their historic Nevil Road ground had sparked controversy, even drawing the attention of businessman Arron Banks. These challenges are familiar to smaller counties that don’t regularly host international cricket, but for Gloucestershire, moments like these provide a reminder that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Payne expressed that victories like this prove Gloucestershire isn’t just another team making up the numbers. For a club that has often felt like it’s fighting an uphill battle, this success carried a special significance.
Family Spirit and the Future
Gloucestershire’s win also highlighted the family spirit within the club. The team featured two pairs of brothers—Jack and Matt Taylor, and Ollie and Tom Price. Additionally, Ben Charlesworth’s younger brother, Luke, is part of the club’s system. While Jack Taylor was the hero in Gloucestershire’s one-day success at Lord’s nine years ago, this time it was Matt who claimed the Player of the Match accolade. Eight of the team’s XI players had come through Gloucestershire’s development pathway, and the coach, Mark Alleyne, is a club legend who was a key figure in the "Glorious Glosters" side that dominated one-day cricket in the late '90s and early 2000s.
Reflecting on Alleyne’s influence, Jack Taylor mentioned that the coach had been a calming presence and allowed the players the freedom to express themselves. He believed that the blend of youth and experience in the team was the perfect recipe for success and that this triumph was a fitting reward for the way the squad had played throughout the season.
While the arrival of The Hundred may have shifted focus in English domestic cricket, Blast Finals Day remains one of the most anticipated events in the calendar. It’s a day that channels the excitement of football’s cup competitions, complete with a lively crowd, fancy dress, and an electric atmosphere in the stands. The beauty of the Blast is that it still provides smaller counties with a realistic chance of tasting success.
In the past decade, less wealthy counties like Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Essex, Kent, and Somerset have all lifted the trophy. Now, with Gloucestershire adding their name to the winners’ list, only four counties—Derbyshire, Durham, Glamorgan, and Yorkshire—are still waiting to claim the T20 title. The beauty of the competition lies in the hope it offers fans that, next year, it could be their team’s turn to shine.