By Tim Douglas 
Somerset Hold Their Nerve in Taunton Classic
Sean Dickson produced one of the most electrifying innings in Vitality Blast history to guide Somerset Lightning into Finals Day. His unbeaten 71 off just 26 deliveries, laced with five fours and six towering sixes, transformed what looked like a steep chase into a heart-stopping win.
Chasing 191, Somerset sealed victory with one ball to spare at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, overcoming a strong performance from the Birmingham Bears. The result sparked wild celebrations, booking Somerset’s ticket to Edgbaston next weekend.
Davies Sets the Tone for Bears
Earlier, the Bears looked on course for a massive total after an explosive start. Rob Yates smashed 25 off 10 balls, plundering Riley Meredith for four consecutive boundaries in the second over.
Captain Alex Davies carried the momentum, racing to a 24-ball fifty and finishing with 71 from 39 balls, studded with 13 fours. However, after his dismissal to Ben Green attempting a ramp shot, the innings lost momentum.
From a promising 119 at halfway, the Bears closed on 190/6, with Green (2/30) and Lewis Gregory applying the brakes. Crucially, Birmingham failed to clear the ropes even once in their innings, an anomaly at Taunton’s typically high-scoring ground.
Somerset’s Chase: Abell Steadies, Dickson Destroys
Somerset began positively through Tom Kohler-Cadmore (32 off 26), but lost both openers cheaply in the powerplay. At 73 for 2 after 10 overs, the asking rate had ballooned beyond 11 per over.
Captain Tom Abell anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 31 balls, adding key runs alongside James Rew (11). When Abell holed out against Danny Briggs, Somerset still required 57 from the last 4.3 overs.
That’s when Sean Dickson changed the game. Entering with Somerset in trouble, he launched an all-out assault on Birmingham’s bowlers. His 50 came from just 19 balls, a record-breaking effort in the quarter-final stage. He plundered sixes off Briggs, George Garton, and Ed Barnard, turning the match on its head.
Despite Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s superb spell of 3 for 24, including two wickets in the 18th over, Dickson’s firepower kept Somerset in the hunt.
The Decisive Final Over
Needing 19 off the final six balls, Dickson produced a masterclass in composure. Facing Barnard, he clubbed two massive sixes and followed up with a rasping straight four. With the scores level, he nudged Somerset home with a ball to spare, finishing unbeaten on a career-defining 71 off 26.
Brief Scores
Birmingham Bears 190/6 in 20 overs (Alex Davies 71, Rob Yates 25, Ben Green 2/30)
Somerset 191/6 in 19.5 overs (Sean Dickson 71* off 26, Tom Abell 51, Hannon-Dalby 3/24)
Result: Somerset won by 4 wickets with 1 ball remaining
Player of the Match: Sean Dickson (71* off 26)