Smeed smashes Somerset to T20 Blast glory with record-breaking chase

BIRMINGHAM: Will Smeed turned on the fireworks as Somerset pulled off a record-breaking chase to claim the T20 Blast title, toppling Hampshire by six wickets in a high-octane final at Edgbaston on Saturday night.

Chasing a mammoth 195 for victory – the highest target ever in a T20 Blast final – Smeed led the charge with a blistering 94 off 58 balls, hammering boundaries with power and precision to keep Somerset ahead of the rate.

Despite losing Smeed at the start of the 19th over with 18 still needed, skipper Lewis Gregory stepped up under pressure, launching two towering sixes to seal the win in style. Somerset finished on 195-4, rewriting the record books for the biggest successful chase in the tournament’s final history.

“It’s unbelievable. You work all season for moments like this,” said a beaming Smeed post-match. “We always felt in the game. Under lights, with the dew, the ball was flying – and Lewis finished it off brilliantly.”

Earlier in the day, Hampshire’s top order delivered fireworks of their own. Toby Albert continued his red-hot form, smashing 85 off 48 to finish as the competition’s leading run-scorer. Backed by James Vince’s 52, Hampshire posted 194-6 – a total that looked formidable until Smeed stepped in.

Hampshire, hoping for a record fourth Blast crown, were denied by a ruthless Somerset side that played fearless cricket from ball one.

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“It’s tough to take,” admitted Vince. “We played good cricket throughout, but Somerset were just too good tonight.”

The win marks Somerset’s third T20 Blast title, drawing them level with Hampshire and Leicestershire, and erasing the heartbreak of last year’s final loss to Gloucestershire.

While the silverware slips from Hampshire’s grasp for now, they’ll get another shot at glory when they face Worcestershire in the One-Day Cup final at Trent Bridge next week.

But Saturday belonged to Somerset – and to Will Smeed, the man who lit up Edgbaston with a knock for the ages.