Gloucestershire thrash reigning champions Somerset to win maiden Vitality Blast title | Cricket Information

Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft shared a scintillating 112-run partnership to guide Gloucestershire to an eight-wicket victory over reigning champions Somerset and declare their first Vitality Blast ultimate victory.

Chasing a below-par 125 for victory, Gloucestershire’s openers Hammond (58no) and Bancroft (53) made an aggressive begin to their reply.

Australia worldwide Bancroft smashed an emphatic half-century off 39 deliveries to take his aspect to the brink, with 5 boundaries and two sixes. Hammond joined his associate 5 balls later to achieve his personal milestone with a mighty six launched over long-on.

Somerset struck late within the innings to take away Bancroft and James Bracey (2) however with Gloucestershire needing solely six extra runs from 35 balls, Ollie Worth (7no) struck an impressive most to seal the deal.

Earlier, after profitable the toss and electing to bowl, Gloucestershire’s left-arm pacer Matt Taylor (3-18) took three wickets within the powerplay to cut back Somerset to 41-3, dismissing openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore (21) and Will Smeed (8) in the identical over and having James Rew (6) caught at cowl.

Lewis Gregory (53) led the cost together with his half-century however quick bowler David Payne (3-27) claimed a three-for to dismiss Somerset for 124 with two balls to spare.

Gregory’s fifty in useless as West Nation rivals triumph

Bancroft took a shocking seize on the duvet ring to see the top of dangerman James Rew (6), who made a 62 not out within the semi-final towards Surrey earlier within the day.

Sean Dickson top-scored together with his 78 in the course of the semi-final however he was unable so as to add any impetus towards the West Nation rivals after he missed a reverse-sweep and was bowled by Ollie Worth (1-7) for a duck.

Bancroft got here into motion as soon as once more, this time at lengthy on, the place he took a catch off Tom Abell (19) to finish a 44-run partnership together with his captain Lewis Gregory.

The skipper remained regular together with his 53, mentioning his seventh half-century within the Vitality Blast whereas left-arm fast David Payne took two wickets in the identical variety of balls to take away Ben Inexperienced for six and Craig Overton for a golden duck.

Gloucestershire’s fielders continued to impress within the discipline with wicketkeeper Bracey clutching on to an edge off Roelof van der Merwe (5) by sticking his hand out to his proper whereas transferring left.

Payne then claimed the prized scalp of Gregory after the captain holed out to long-on leaving his aspect on 123-9.

It took Gloucestershire 5 extra balls to wrap up the innings when Josh Shaw (2-20) had Jake Ball (0) caught at mid-off for a duck with two balls remaining.

Gloucestershire got here out to bat with intent as Bancroft smoked Craig Overton (0-30) by way of the covers for 4 leaving Somerset to toil arduous for the wickets.

There was a missed run-out likelihood after Tom Abell’s throw was shy on the stumps and an lbw resolution overturned with Hammond surviving on 37 to depart Somerset pissed off.

Davey had Bancroft caught at deep sq. leg to disclaim Gloucestershire the possibility of turning into the primary 10-wicket winners.

Bracey chipped straight to mid-off six balls later to depart his two down however by then it was too little, too late.

Taylor hails ‘particular’ Blast triumph

Gloucestershire captain Jack Taylor:

“I’m so pleased for the boys – that was so special today.

“We might not have the worldwide stars of another groups, however we have got guys who can play their roles and get it carried out.

“It’s more than anything we could have imagined.

“We have had a tricky few years, it has been some time since we received a trophy, so it is simply reward for the entire boys within the altering room and the followers who have been out of their numbers right now.”

Gregory rues Somerset batting woes

Somerset captain Lewis Gregory:

“We did not get sufficient runs. Hats off to them, they bowled brilliantly and took wickets all through.

“We just couldn’t get going. You get to 150 and you’ve got a sniff, but they bowled brilliantly.

“We have got a improbable bunch of lads within the dressing room, we have got match-winners all through and it is powerful to take tonight, but it surely’s one to rebuild for subsequent yr.

“We’ve got a massive two weeks of the season to go, two more trophies on the line…so we’ll get our heads back round to red-ball cricket.”

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