September 15, 2024

Dickson and Rew Lead Somerset’s Stunning Comeback to Secure Blast Final Spot Against Surrey

Record Partnership Saves Defending Champions After Worrall Dismantles Top Order in Powerplay

Somerset 159 for 4 (Dickson 78, Rew 62*) beat Surrey 153 for 9 (Sibley 48, Gregory 3-15, Davey 3-34) by six wickets.

The match lived up to expectations in a highly anticipated clash between Somerset and Surrey, two teams battling for County Championship supremacy and last year’s Blast semi-final opponents. Somerset, the 2023 T20 champions, kept their title defense hopes alive with a stunning comeback, thanks to a record-breaking partnership of 144 runs from 98 balls between Sean Dickson and James Rew. This incredible stand rescued Somerset from a disastrous 7 for 3, setting the stage for an improbable yet comfortable victory.

Surrey’s second bitter defeat of the week against their closest rivals for significant silverware followed a Championship loss at Taunton that weakened their title challenge. The four key players were missing due to England call-ups, and Surrey struggled after being sent into bat. Lewis Gregory’s 3 for 15 and Josh Davey’s 3 for 34 kept them on the back foot.

However, Surrey’s hopes soared when Dan Worrall and Tom Curran tore through Somerset’s top order, reducing them to 7 for three within just 13 balls.

Yet, Dickson and the 20-year-old Rew, playing only his second professional T20 match and first of the campaign, completely shifted the momentum. Their partnership, the highest ever on Finals Day, allowed Somerset fans at Edgbaston to relax and enjoy a comfortable path to victory.

Sean Dickson and James Rew, a late addition to the squad on Friday replacing the injured Tom Banton, delivered career-best T20 performances to propel the defending champions into the final. Dickson fell just short of the finish, scoring 78 off 57 balls with only three runs needed. In comparison, Rew remained unbeaten on 62 from 44 balls, keeping Somerset’s pursuit of a historic domestic treble alive, having already secured a spot in the One-Day Cup final.

Worrall Rocks Surrey’s Start

Surrey’s batting struggled, but they still managed to post a competitive total. Chasing 154 typically wouldn’t intimidate Somerset’s powerful top order, though the absence of their leading run-scorer, Banton, weakened their lineup from the outset. Dan Worrall struck with his very first ball, a vicious in-swinger that trapped Tom Kohler-Cadmore lbw, a quick dismissal contrasting his struggle against Worrall’s ten-dot-ball barrage in The Hundred last month.

Conversely, Tom Curran succeeded with his third delivery, forcing Tom Abell into a leading edge. Worrall then claimed his second victim, dismissing Will Smeed with an edge to the keeper. This left Somerset reeling at 7 for 3 in the third over and staring down a daunting challenge in their title defense.

Dickson to the Rescue (Again)

At last year’s Finals Day, Somerset successfully defended totals of 142 and 145, with Dickson top-scoring in both games. Once again, he rose to the occasion, guiding Somerset out of early trouble with Rew by his side. Their partnership shifted the game from a minor setback for Surrey to a significant obstacle in their quest for a first T20 title since the inaugural 2003 edition.

Dickson was the first to find his rhythm, striking two fours off Jordan Clark as Somerset crawled to 29 for three by the end of the powerplay. Although they were behind the required rate, the momentum shifted when they took on Surrey’s spinners. Dickson slog-swept Cameron Steel into the Hollies Stand for the first six of the innings, followed by Rew launching Dan Lawrence to the same area, just clearing deep midwicket.

Rew cracked the next ball past extra cover for four, leaving Surrey captain Chris Jordan face down on the turf after a failed diving attempt.

Dickson continued to attack, hammering another six off Steel just out of Sibley’s reach at deep midwicket before cleanly driving the next ball over long-off to reach his fifty off 31 balls. Rew joined the onslaught, smashing Clark over deep backward square leg for another six, and with two more boundaries off Jordan in the next over, the required rate dipped below a run a ball. Rew eventually reached his half-century off 38 balls, by which time Surrey’s hopes of a comeback faded.

Sibley Shows His Range

Asked to bat in tricky September conditions, Surrey’s early momentum came from Dan Lawrence, one of three England Test players back in the lineup (though they were missing Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, and Reece Topley due to T20I duty). Much like his approach in the final innings of the Sri Lanka Test series, Lawrence swung freely, reaching 19 off 11 balls before skying a catch to cover off Josh Davey.

At that point, Sibley had only faced one ball and cautiously moved to 4 off 6. But then he began to display the improved T20 skills that fueled his most productive Blast season since 2017. He launched Davey into the crowd over long-on and greeted Jake Ball’s introduction with a cheeky ramp to fine leg. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope was in smooth form, clipping, pulling, and driving three boundaries from his first ten balls. By the end of the powerplay, Surrey were well-positioned at 62 for 1.

Gregory Strikes Twice

Aside from winning the toss, Lewis Gregory’s first notable moment came when he casually jogged past a ball at mid-off as Dan Lawrence collected his third boundary. At 32, perhaps Gregory realized diving wasn’t the wisest option with a long day ahead. He proved his decision was sound when he came to bowl in the eighth over. His clever medium-pace deliveries suited the slow, late-season Edgbaston pitch.

Gregory’s leg-cutter knocked over Ollie Pope’s off stump, followed by Jamie Smith misjudging a slightly fuller delivery, reducing Surrey from a solid start to 69 for 3.

Surrey Struggle to Build a Score

Surrey’s recovery effort came through a gritty stand between former England opening partners Dom Sibley and Rory Burns. Burns, the only left-hander in the lineup, was promoted above Laurie Evans to No. 5, and together with Sibley, they stitched a partnership of 36 off 28 balls to steady the innings. However, both fell within eight balls, with Sibley becoming Gregory’s third victim, caught at deep midwicket.

Evans did his best to lift Surrey’s total, smashing Jake Ball into the Hollies Stand for their second six of the match. But unlike Somerset’s aggressive chase, Surrey’s innings lacked clean striking, managing just six boundaries outside the powerplay compared to Somerset’s 16. Despite Evans’ efforts, Surrey could only drag the score to 150, which proved insufficient.

Be your favorite player’s biggest fan! Check out our site and show them your support.

Top Cricket News | Bangladesh Premier League | Big Bash League | Big Bash League News | Cricket World Cup | Indian Premier League | Pakistan Super League | T20 Blast