Gloucestershire made history by winning their first-ever T20 Blast title, defeating Somerset in a commanding eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This long-awaited victory, sealed on September 14, 2024, came after years of perseverance, making it a momentous occasion for the team and their fans. The key to their success was a combination of disciplined bowling and a solid batting performance from openers Cameron Bancroft and Miles Hammond.
A Solid Bowling Performance Sets the Stage
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Gloucestershire’s bowlers immediately put Somerset under pressure. Matt Taylor was the star in the early overs, taking three wickets in quick succession. He dismissed both openers, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Will Smeed, in a single over, reducing Somerset to a precarious 41-3 in the powerplay. Somerset never fully recovered from these early blows, as they struggled to build meaningful partnerships throughout their innings.
Somerset’s captain, Lewis Gregory, fought back with a gritty half-century, but his efforts were in vain as Gloucestershire’s bowlers, particularly David Payne, continued to dismantle the batting order. Payne took three crucial wickets, including Gregory’s, as Somerset were eventually bowled out for a modest 124 runs. This total was the lowest score in a T20 Blast final since 2003, underscoring Gloucestershire’s dominance with the ball.
Bancroft and Hammond Lead the Chase
Chasing a target of 125, Gloucestershire’s openers, Cameron Bancroft and Miles Hammond, displayed remarkable composure and skill. Bancroft, a former Somerset player, seemed to relish the opportunity against his old side. He smashed a half-century off 39 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. Hammond soon followed with his own half-century, hitting six fours and three sixes during his 58 off 41 balls. Together, they built an impressive 112-run partnership that all but sealed Somerset’s fate.
Despite losing Bancroft and James Bracey towards the end of the chase, Gloucestershire were never in danger. With just six runs needed from 35 balls, Ollie Price sealed the victory with a towering six, sparking wild celebrations in the Gloucestershire camp. The eight-wicket victory came with 31 balls to spare, showcasing their dominance in the final.
A Season of Perseverance
Gloucestershire’s journey to the T20 Blast title was one of grit and determination. After narrowly making it to the knockout stages based on net run-rate, they defeated Birmingham Bears in the quarter-final and Sussex in the semi-final to earn their spot in the final. This victory was particularly sweet for the team, as it was their first major knockout trophy since their One-Day Cup win in 2015.
Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft were standout performers throughout the tournament, with Bancroft surpassing 500 runs in the season. Their performances, combined with the bowling brilliance of Matt Taylor and David Payne, were pivotal in guiding Gloucestershire to their first T20 title.
Somerset’s Missed Opportunity
For Somerset, this loss marked the end of their hopes of securing a treble, having already claimed the County Championship and reaching the One-Day Cup final. Despite their strong performance throughout the season, they were simply outclassed by a resilient Gloucestershire side in the final.
Somerset’s captain, Lewis Gregory, was the only batsman to offer significant resistance in the final, scoring 53 runs. However, his efforts were not enough to compensate for the early collapse of the top order. Somerset will now turn their attention to the One-Day Cup final, hoping to add another trophy to their collection this season.
Looking Ahead
For Gloucestershire, this historic win could mark the beginning of a new era of success. Their young players, such as Ollie Price, have shown great promise, and the team’s ability to perform under pressure has been commendable throughout the tournament. With their first T20 title in the bag, Gloucestershire will be eager to build on this momentum in future seasons.
For Somerset, the focus will shift to regrouping and learning from this defeat. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the treble, they have had a strong season overall and will be keen to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Gloucestershire’s triumph in the 2024 T20 Blast will be remembered as a victory of teamwork, resilience, and strategic brilliance. The combination of Bancroft and Hammond’s batting, along with the stellar bowling of Matt Taylor and David Payne, secured a memorable win that will go down in the club’s history.