In a thrilling first semi-final at Edgbaston's Vitality Blast Finals Day, Somerset pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat Surrey by six wickets, securing a place in their third final in four years.
Surrey, defending a modest 153-9, looked set for revenge after Somerset’s recent County Championship victory, reducing their opponents to 7-3 within just 13 balls. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, and Will Smeed all fell cheaply, leaving Somerset on the ropes.
However, a record-breaking 144-run partnership between James Rew and Sean Dickson for the fourth wicket turned the tide. Both players scored crucial half-centuries, with Dickson hammering 78 and Rew remaining unbeaten on 62. They guided Somerset to their seventh T20 final, finishing the chase with eight balls to spare.
Somerset has previously won two of their six T20 finals—once in 2005 and again 14 months ago, both times beating Surrey along the way. If they win the final, they’ll be the first county to defend the T20 title.
Earlier, Surrey began brightly, with Dan Lawrence racing to 19 off 10 balls before being caught off Josh Davey’s bowling. Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley, who hit the match's first six, added 43 before a double strike from Lewis Gregory saw both Pope and Jamie Smith bowled in consecutive deliveries. Gregory was also involved in running out Rory Burns and dismissed Sibley for 48, leaving Surrey struggling to build momentum.
Jake Ball bowled Tom Curran, but Laurie Evans, the only non-England international in Surrey’s top eight, added crucial late runs, including the only other six of the innings, to push Surrey past 150.
In their reply, Somerset’s top order crumbled as Dan Worrall and Tom Curran quickly reduced them to 7-3. But Rew, filling in for the injured Tom Banton, and Dickson displayed resilience, steering their side back into the game. Dickson smashed three sixes and eight fours before being dismissed, while Rew stayed composed to finish unbeaten on 62. The match ended fittingly with Gregory smashing a six to secure the win.
Somerset now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Sussex and Gloucestershire, hoping to clinch their third T20 title.