Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft shared a scintillating 112-run partnership to lead Gloucestershire to an eight-wicket victory over reigning champions Somerset and claim their first Vitality Blast final victory.
Chasing a below-par 125 for victory, Gloucestershire’s openers Hammond (58no) and Bancroft (53) made an aggressive start to their reply.
Australia international Bancroft smashed an emphatic half-century off 39 deliveries to take his side to the brink, with five boundaries and two sixes. Hammond joined his partner five balls later to reach his own milestone with a mighty six launched over long-on.
Somerset struck late in the innings to remove Bancroft and James Bracey (2) but with Gloucestershire needing only six more runs from 35 balls, Ollie Price (7no) struck a magnificent maximum to seal the deal.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bowl, Gloucestershire’s left-arm pacer Matt Taylor (3-18) took three wickets in the powerplay to reduce Somerset to 41-3, dismissing openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore (21) and Will Smeed (8) in the same over and having James Rew (6) caught at cover.
Lewis Gregory (53) led the charge with his half-century but fast bowler David Payne (3-27) claimed a three-for to dismiss Somerset for 124 with two balls to spare.
More to follow…
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