Somerset Reach Third Consecutive T20 Blast Final after Lancashire Win

Somerset secured their third consecutive T20 Blast final spot by defeating a weakened Lancashire side at Edgbaston, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore's 81 off 52 balls anchoring their total of 182-7. Lancashire started strongly, with Keaton Jennings and Liam Livingstone putting on a solid partnership, but a controversial lbw dismissal of Livingstone, despite his claims of an inside edge, shifted momentum in Somerset's favor. Somerset's sharp fielding, including a crucial catch by Kohler-Cadmore, alongside effective bowling from Migael Pretorius and Ben Green, led to Lancashire collapsing and being bowled out for 159. Both teams were not at full strength, with Somerset missing key players like Riley Meredith and Tom Banton, and Lancashire debuting young spinner Arav Shetty, who did not bowl in the match. Somerset will now face the winners of the second semi-final between Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Hampshire Hawks, with Northants entering as underdogs but buoyed by their quarter-final upset against Surrey and strong bowling led by Ben Sanderson and George Scrimshaw. Despite the absence of Matt Breetzke for Northants, captain David Willey remains confident in their ability to compete at Finals Day in Edgbaston.