Blast Quarter - Green and Bears it?
By Grockle
September 6 2025
The Quarter Final eventually arrives some 5 to 6 weeks after the last game with sides that have semi played together somewhere in the last month and a half but now have to come back together and change mindset. We'll see how it goes I suppose. No Tom Banton or Matt Henry for us (probably for this and any other games we may have in this format this season). Craig Overton is strapped and James Rew will probably be holding the gloves. Bears have won the toss and will bat first and the winners will face Lancashire who won this afternoon.
Blast Quarter v "Bears" @ Taunton Saturday 6 September 2025
The team changes for the shorter format but this team has not played this format as a team since before August.
The side is;
TKC, Smeed, Abell, Dickson, Rew J, Gregory, Green, Goldsworthy, Overton, Meredith, Ball
The side who has 'gelled' together the best will probably put this one to bed. Lacking confidence in our ability to defend a total the question becomes 'Why no Tom Lammonby'? The bowling car comes on, stops some 20 yards from the umpire, who has to go and get the ball and then the car has to be carried off the pitch before we can hear the countdown.
Craig Overton bowls to Alex Davies and Rob Yates from the River end - he was heavily strapped dring the warm-up. For those interested, we did fly Josh Davey back from Canada though he was also heavily strapped so it might be Scotland can't use him any more as we did not pick him for this either.
Just over 7,000 here tonght it seems in terms of tickets sold.
Riley bowls the first from the MT and Yates looks to hook him first ball. He produces a better second ball boundary. A third consecutive one is followed by a fourth and then a fifth. And Yates finishes with a 6th four. So... 24 off the over - whooppeedooo!!
They have 9 consecutive boundaries by the time Craig is through 2 balls of the next over but Rob Yates gets a little ahead iof himself and puts the 10 into the hands of Will Smeed on the Caddyshack boundary to leave with 25 from the 10 balls faces as Bears go to 39 off the 3 overs they have faced. Not suprisingly, Jake Ball takes the 4th over as Mouseley joins Davies and another boundary brings up the 50 in 27 balls.
Green takes the 5th and there are five boundaries off that one with the first being the non four!! It's 66 for 1 after 5. Smeed misses a pretty definite catch with Davies on 44. He spent too much time saying it was his and then forgot to catch it. 82 runs off the 6 over 'Powerplay' - we think that may be the most Bears have ever got against us. Gregory takes the 7th with the options being closed down over after over.
Davies goes to 50 from 24 balls at 88 for 12 with 11 fours and he wasn't the guy who got 6 in an over. The 50 partnership comes from 21 followed by Lewis bowling Mousely off a bottom edge for 12 at 91 for 2. In comes Sam Hain.
Lewis Goldsworthy is brought on with spin for the 8th and he does well to keep them under 3 figures at 98 for 2. Not good but well done to the spinner. Ben Green is back at the River. The 100 comes off a second ball ramp to the MT by Davies.
It is 119 for 2 as we turn to bowl the second half of the innings. It will be interesting to see how we put a second half of this together as both our strike bowlers have been mauled and will have to come back as we have limited, 'take the pace off' bowlers with many overs left. Lewis starts the second half and Bears move to 125 for 2 with 9 to go. This is going to be a BIG 200 plus score.
Ben Green takes the next and he bowls Davies for 71 at 127 for 3 to bring Barnard to the middle. Green nearly has another but Smeedy drops Barnard in front of the Caddyshack. It was a diving effort but you have to take the difficult ones to win big games.
Meredith changes ends to the River for the 13th and he gets a bit of revenge as Hain flaps a slower one to Sean D at mid off and he goes for 21 at 133 for 4. Smith joins Barnard and we have two new bats at the crease.
Lewis Jr returns and does his job to hold the score to 145 for 4 after 14 as the skipper bowls his 3rd and goes for 2 with a very good over. Ben will start the last 5 and it may be his last spell for Somerset - though there are rumours that he may be still here for the CC1 games as we are missing bowlers with most of the young guys injured (JT Langridge and Alfie) and Miggy P still not certain with his ankle injury.
Greener gets another as Craig catches a good ball on the MT boundary 155 for 5 as Barnard departs for 15 and Garton arrives to face Ball bowling the 17th. He gets Garton LBW but its a quarter so they will review. The review says it's missing!! So Not Out at 159 for 5. But he bowls a good slow ball which goes straight to Gregory at mid off for 2 - 159 for 6 and out comes Briggs who immediately finds the boundary.
Green stays on for the 18th and he goes for 7 to take his final score to 2 for 30. Meredith bowls out with the 19th and they take 12 to move to 182 for 6 as Jake takes the last from the MT end and bowls a good one to keep Bears to 190 for 6. Looking at where we were with 10 overs that is very good stuff. Smith finishes with 28 from 22 and Briggs helped with 11.
191 to win.
The Reply
Smeed and TKC come out to face Garton from the River and TKC is off the mark with a four. Hannon-Dalby takes the second. The opening pair are being expansive as we move over 20 at the end of the second. TKC continues this with the first six of the whole game in the 3rd over. Gleeson is on for the fourth at 27 for 0 with Smeed on 9 and TKC ahead on 17. But Smeed is not long for this game as he skies anotehr and departs courtesy of an NT Boundary catch from Lintott bolwed Gleeson. In comes Tom Abell - not sure he is the choice to come in during the 'Powerplay' in this situation. He nearly finds himself run out from his first ball as he takes a quick single.
Hannon-Dalby changes ends for the 5th. 41 for 1 after 5. They finish the first 6 at 49 for 1 TKC on 29 and Tom A on 9. The 50 arrives from the first ball of the next and Tom A then gives the brummies osme of their own medicine with consecutive fours off Barnard. They then keep ringing the changes as Danny Briggs brings the slow stuff in the 8th.
Hannon-Dalby comes on and TKC hits the ball straight down the fielder's throat in front of the Hildreth. at 64 for 2 for the usual 32. Still flattering to decieve I'm afraid. He is replaced by James Rew and we now have a different kind of game.
It's 73 for 2 at 10 overs (we are still 10 runs behind the Brum 6 over score) and we now need a good well paced second half of this innings. Rew rides his luck with a pulled four that is parried by the fielder Gleeson. However he is out for 11 the next ball caught by Barnard off the bowling of Garston. In comes Sean Dickson at 80 for 3. With 9 to go, Lintott comes on from the MT as we need 'Nelson' to go to Edgbaston.
Dickson looks for the big shots while Tom moves towads the 50 and we pass 100. By the 14th it is still a big ask as we reach 115 for 3 and need 76 from 36 balls zas George Garton comes back on. You have to say it is too many one would assume. Nevertheless, Sean puts Garton into the second floor of the Somerset flats so the scoring is still happening. Abell passes 50 with a single. Off 39 balls with 5 fours and a six. They take 17 off the over to move to 132 for 3 and pass the 50 partnership with 52 off 25 balls. It is still a BIG ask, just not as BIG.
Tom goes for a six but it is too high and not long enough and he is caught by Yates off Briggs for 51. In comes Lewis Gregory at 134 for 4. He is straight off the mark and then Dickson clears the rope again into the car park. 143 for 4 and they need 48 off 4 - 2 a ball. Gleeson takes the 17th and Dickson takes us to 150 with a swat over the keeper to the MT boundary.
152 for 4 - 39 off 3 as Hannon-Dalby takes the next. Lewis hits a big one but it's all up and not long so he is caught for 9 from 8 by Mouseley at 156 for 5. It may be gone but Ben Green is in so there is still SOME hope but he smacks it to a fielder and he ges at 156. In comes Craig as Ben leaves for the last time unless we have pulled back the loan deal.
But Sean is still going as he puts another one into the carpaprk and we mover to 166 for 6 in the 18th. He goes to 50 from 19 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Had that Meredith over not happened we might have been over by now. 6 balls left and we need 19.
Craig faces and Barnard bowls. His first is a wide. COve takes the single. The next is a picked up six. The next is a six and we need 5 off 3 balls. 186 for 6. This IS tense!! The next is a four!! We cannot lose. 70 off 25 They need 1 off 2. He scored 71 off 26 with 5 fours and 6 sixes.#
That was absolutely STUPENDOUS hitting from Sean Dickson and once again we go to the Finals with that man in our side. This really is HIS tournament!!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:13:17:54:51 by Grockle.
Not sure about any players bringing 'niggles' back from the August 'Franchise Funfest' though there were some worries about Lewis Gregory in relation to the end of the fixtures.
Thomas Rew has been called up for the U19 internationals which have already started and incude games today (Friday) and Sunday so he'll be out of any contention he may have hoped for probably.
Unsure about Riley Meredith's availability so the bowling could look 'interesting' to say the least.
As usual 'we'll see tomorrow I suppose'.
TKC, Smeed, Abell, Dickson, Goldsworthy, Rew J, Lammonby, Gregory, Green, Aldridge, Overton, Davey, Leach, Ball, Meredith
No Banton of course as he is in the England squads. No Thomas Rew as he is with the U19s No Davey unless they've flown him back from the Scotland squad because he played yesterday.
It will not be easy tomorrow, as Craig says in the preview, it seems like a long time since they qualified and they've all been in different squads for the last fpour or so weeks so it may very well come down to which side gets back into their lane the quickest.
Ben Duckett (now let me see, I think he plays at Trent Bridge) has been retained for Sunday`s One-Day international against South Africa, despite passing 20 runs only once in his last 10 international innings.
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Tom Banton meanwhile (who play at `little old ` Taunton) doesn`t make it out of the squad at all for this series. He has NOT however even been released to play for Somerset against Birmingham this evening, but been told he must remain at Southampton (not a million miles from Taunton) as a `spare.`
The selectors were even cynical enough to nominate Marcus Trescothick to make the announcement to the press. . It would be interesting to run through the counties of players who have been released from international squads to return to their county in the last season or two.
No Henry
Craig Overton and Josh Davey (who is here back from Canada) are both heavily strapped
Oh what fun...
Grizzers
That is what we'd like
However, with no Henry, we have Overton and Davey (who is here from Canada) are both wearing large strapping in the warm up.
Smeed, TKC, Abell, Rew, Dickson, Gregory, Green, Goldworthy, Overton, Meredith, Ball
Assuming James Rew will keep but please... with a bowling issue you pick Sean Dickson instead of Tom Lammonby wh0 is in form with the bat and gives you an option (left handed) bowling? Makes little sense to me I'm afraid.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:07:07:59:05 by Grockle.
Credit to all for the batting performance, but Sean Dicksonās innings was simply superlative. Terrific hitting and to do so under such pressure showed immense character and mental strength.
Iām not sure how many people have us a realistic chance when we needed thirty three runs off the last two overs, but it canāt have been very many !
What a wonderful way to reach the finals once again.
Grizzers
Most Intelligent Moment of the Match? Craig Overton playing for a single off the first legitimate ball of the last over, rather than going for glory himself, to leave Sean Dickson with five balls (he needed only four) to rein in the remaining 17 runs to take Somerset to an incredible victory
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:06:22:03:52 by cricketjerry-mouse.
Of course Dickson won us the match with an astonishing innings, given the context a contender for our best ever white ball innings.
But we mustnāt overlook the performances of both Lewisās , Ben and Jake in the second ten, and in particular the last 5 overs, kept us in the game
PS I agree with the point about Craig taking a single. How often do you see a lower order batsman in the final over swishing vainly at every ball while his established partner is stranded at the other end. He did precisely the right thing.
Archie Davey Lammers Golds Rew Rew Thomas Hill Kasey Leach Alfie
Josh D 'may' have come back crocked (heavily strapped tonight) but may be able to bat
Rew T is with England U119s but 'may' be called back
Archie's hip still makes him a doubt
Also Ben Green 'may' not be off on loan because of lack of bowling options
Sean Dickson's contractual situation has been decided. Don't know what the end result is but there is one it seems.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:07:12:06:17 by Grockle.
Tom has seemed a little āout of sortsā recently and it was a debate as to whether he would even play, but he batted very intelligently and paced his innings well.
Grizzers
It is difficult to think of a better Somerset white ball innings this season than Dickson's. As he and Overton met in the middle before the final over, were it possible to read lips from the back of the top of the Trescothick Pavilion, I am sure I would have seen Dickson say to Overton, "Give me the strike and I'll finish the job."
As to the best white ball innings in Somerset's history. That is a more difficult case to make, but it must have been one of the best. From memory, it would have to compete with at least three others:
1) Roelof van der Merwe's 165 not out against Surrey in the 50-over Cup in 2017 to take Somerset from 22 for 5 to 291 for 6 for victory over Surrey.
2) Graham Burgess's 50 not out against Kent in the 1979 Gillette Cup quarter-final against Kent at Taunton (albeit in red ball days) which, with help from Joel Garner and Keith Jenning took Somerset from 126 for 8 to 190, a score large enough to set the game up for Joel Garner's 5 for 11 which, with three wickets from Botham, bowled Kent out for 60.
3) Ian Botham's 96 not out (another red ball innings) against Middlesex in the 1983 Nat West Trophy semi-final at Lord's when he batted for around 45 overs to take Somerset fron 43 for 4 and then 52 for 5, with Viv Richards gone, to 222 for 8 including playing out a maiden final over because the scores were level with Somerset having lost one fewer wickets than Middlesex. It was the longest over of my life.
As to which was the best? Given the different times in which the innings were played, statistical analysis would be fruitless. It would, I think, have to be decided on the feel of the game at the time. I was fortunate enough to be present at all four. For what it is worth, for sheer will power, self-control and timing of the innings over nearly three hours, which felt like three days, against a powerful Middlesex attack (Daniel, Cowans, Embury, Edmonds) the accolade would have to go to Botham. However, if anyone else comes to a different conclusion, they will get no argument from me.
As to Warwickshire supporters, I sat next to one. In addition to watching and applauding, we spent the match discussing the ups and downs of the cricket in front of us, the strengths and weaknesses of the teams, and the changes coming down the road. It was a Kafkaesque experience. He and I quietly discussing cricket while utter mayhem went on all around us (and it was pretty (and good naturedly) raucus in the elevated section of the Trescothick as everywhere else. The cheering, applauding, and the '4' and '6' cards waving, especially in those final four overs was truly a sight to behold.
In terms of the match in front of us, two sentences from our conversation:
Warwickshire supporter, "We always start well and then fade."
Me, "We just never give up."
In terms of the outcome, that seemed to sum up both teams' performance in both innings.
And as we left, we shook hands and wished each other well.
Farmer
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:07:15:54:16 by Farmer White.
157 off 84 balls in 106 minutes to come up 10 runs short. It was tremendous and a captain's innings to boot.
Farmer
The skill of Ben's innings in my mind surpasses the result in the context of where and when he came in and his role in the side at the time.
If one player turns a game from a complete disaster to a very close run thing with that type of gigantic contribution I'm not sure it can be discounted because Somerset didn't win.
We'd have to discount Craig Overton's 8 wickets in the Essex CC1 game on that basis and I wouldn't be happy to do that either
Well this is going to go down like a lead balloon and create a bit of a media headache for Somerset.
I'm not sure it is completely unjustified personally. Sean has really struggled in the CC1 which is what we hoped he would help us in. His Blast record has been excellent but we didn't sign him for just that.
However it is a real shame if it is true just as he has played the greatest innigs of his Somerset career and before the Finals Day.
NOTE this is in the Telegraph and has not been confirmed by the club as far as I am aware
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:08:10:54:38 by Grockle.
I think it's disappointing when certain players leave but the club has decisions to make on who is likely to play in what format and the player has the right to look elsewhere for a contract that is all-format or longer in length.
In all the departures, the one I am actually most disappointed about is Kasey Aldridge because he's still young and has done well in all formats at one time or another and I think we should have been able to develop him as such.
The addition to make on this is, of course, the fact that we have a number of players coming through and they should be given a chance - Ogbourne, Thomas, Hill, etc.
There just isn't room for everyone.
We probably are factoring in that both Rews' maybe in the CC side for next few years at least too.
His bowling has become much more varied and controlled, his batting has improved in its stablility and he has learned and developed a better cricket brain.
However, he WILL play ALL the Foxes red ball games and he probably wouldn't here until Lewis Gregory gives up that all rounder role.
I still think we made the wrong but easier decision in the Spring when we sent Ben to Leics where he would play red ball and hoped that Kasey would develop the consistency that has been eluding him. Ben developed and Kasey really didn't change and we lost them both.
It is what it is.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:08:11:26:54 by Grockle.
The new here is that it is highly UNLIKELY (if not certain) that Riley Meredith will play in either of the games next week. It looks like his second stint at Somerset is over.
Thanks for the work Riley - you presently are seen as the player who did the most to get us to the QF and for that contribution we are most grateful.
Sean to leave for Glamorgan
Credit to the man for his contribution to the Blast over 3 years - we would probably not have been there and competitive without him and we won it once because of him.
Thank you Sean Good Luck for 2026
Quote:brt1919
....Iām always baffled when things like this happen at a major finalā¦..
Proof, were it needed, that the ECB no longer sees the culmination of the Blast as a "major final".