Gloucestershire Stun Birmingham

Vitality Blast, Edgbaston  

Gloucestershire 138 (19.1 overs): Bancroft 43, Hammond 30; Foulkes 3-22  

Birmingham Bears 124-9 (20 overs): Benjamin 33, Moeen 27; Payne 4-23, O Price 3-32  

Gloucestershire won by 14 runs

In a thrilling upset, Gloucestershire clinched their place in the T20 Blast Finals Day for just the fourth time, defeating Birmingham Bears on their own turf by 14 runs. Despite being bowled out for a modest 138, Gloucestershire's bowling attack rose to the occasion, stunning the Bears and securing a return to Edgbaston for the semi-finals.

The Bears, who were strong contenders to make it back to Finals Day for the first time in a decade, appeared well on their way after restricting Gloucestershire to a below-par total. However, a brilliant performance from David Payne and Ollie Price dismantled Birmingham’s hopes, with Payne removing Moeen Ali and Price taking crucial middle-order wickets. Payne came back to claim two more scalps, supported by Josh Shaw, as the visitors eliminated the Bears, making it an all-South Group Finals Day.

With their victory, Gloucestershire will face Sussex in the second semi-final on September 14, while Surrey will meet Somerset in a repeat of last year’s second semi-final.

Gloucestershire captain Jack Taylor shared his thoughts after the match with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, admitting that the team had a slow start to the season but gained momentum just in time to secure their spot in the knockout stages. Taylor praised his team for stepping up when it mattered and expressed excitement about the chance to push further in the competition.

The match seemed to turn early on when Birmingham skipper Moeen Ali’s decision to bowl first backfired. Openers Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft raced to over 50 runs in just five overs. But Birmingham’s Dan Mousley struck the first blow, dismissing Hammond for 30, before spinners Briggs and Zak Foulkes worked their way through Gloucestershire’s lineup. Foulkes took three key wickets, including that of captain Taylor, and a direct hit from George Garton ran out the dangerous Bancroft, leaving Gloucestershire struggling at 138.

Despite their modest total, Gloucestershire’s bowlers took control of the game. Payne struck early by removing Birmingham captain Alex Davies and later took the crucial wicket of Moeen Ali, who had begun to look threatening with two massive sixes. Moeen, caught behind for 27, left Birmingham wobbling.

Ollie Price then delivered a devastating spell, claiming three wickets in quick succession, including a key lbw review against Dan Mousley. Despite late efforts from Chris Benjamin, who top-scored with 33, and Garton, Birmingham’s chase fell short as they lost another home quarter-final for the second consecutive year.

With 18 runs needed from the final over, Birmingham’s hopes fizzled out, handing Gloucestershire their first Finals Day appearance since 2020. It will be the first time their supporters can attend the event in person since their 2007 final loss to Kent at Edgbaston, making the achievement even sweeter for the team and their fans.