Somerset secured their place in the T20 Blast final for the third consecutive year, overcoming a depleted Lancashire side at Edgbaston. Batting first, Somerset posted a competitive total of 182-7, thanks largely to a brilliant innings from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who scored 81 runs off 52 balls.
Lancashire started their chase strongly, powered by Keaton Jennings and Liam Livingstone. However, key absences weakened their lineup, including six regular players and two season debutants. Among them was 21-year-old spinner Arav Shetty, making his full T20 debut, though he did not bowl in the match. Lancashire looked well placed at 102 for 3 in the 12th over, but a controversial lbw dismissal of Livingstone—given out despite evidence of an inside edge—triggered a batting collapse.
Somerset’s sharp fielding was on full display, exemplified by Lewis Gregory’s diving catch to dismiss Shetty. Despite some resistance from Michael Jones, the Somerset bowling pair Migael Pretorius and Ben Green combined to take five crucial wickets, clinching a 23-run victory.
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Somerset themselves were missing key players; Pretorius played just his second game after Riley Meredith returned to Australia, and Tom Banton was on England duty. The match concluded amid unusual circumstances, with Lancashire retiring George Balderson only to lose his substitute Tom Hartley on his first ball. Shortly after, rain began, and the pitch was covered as players exited the field, ending the contest.