Somerset v Hampshire Hawks: Over a decade of classic T20 battles

Somerset v Hampshire Hawks: Over a decade of classic T20 battles

Somerset get the 2023 Vitality Blast underway on Wednesday May 24th with a home match against the reigning champions, Hampshire Hawks.

What better way to start the campaign than with a win against the current champions under the lights at Taunton?

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The two sides have a history of classic encounters over the years, not least the last two season’s semi-finals at Edgbaston. Today we thought we would take a look back at five of the best matches between the Counties.

THE STATS:

2010 – Somerset defend 104 in a classic

The first time the two sides met in the T20 format was at the Rose Bowl in June 2010. The was drama right up to the finish in a game that Somerset won by seven runs.

Hampshire skipper, Dominic Cork won the toss and elected to field. It seemed like he had made the right choice when Somerset were dismissed for 104. Zander De Bruyn top scored with 32 not out for the visitors, whilst Sean Ervine was the pick of the bowlers with two for 10 from four overs.

At the start of the Somerset innings, Hampshire were clear favourites, but the hosts hadn’t accounted for Kieron Pollard.

The West Indian claimed his best T20 bowling figures of three for 15 as Somerset defended the small total to claim a dramatic and at one point unexpected victory.

Hampshire were looking well set at 40 for two in the seventh over, but that soon became 93 for five. However, the hosts were still in the box seat as they needed 12 runs from 21 balls with five wickets remaining, but an incredible passage of play saw Hampshire dismissed for just 97 with four balls to spare.

2010: The most dramatic conclusion to a final ever!

The two sides met for the third time in 2010 in that year’s Final at the Rose Bowl.

Somerset went into the game in confident mood, having beaten Hampshire twice already during the campaign.

However, it was not to be as those present witnessed the most dramatic final in the history of the competition.

2018: Jerome blows Hampshire away

When the two sides met at the Cooper Associates County Ground in 2018, Jerome Taylor claimed the second best T20 figures in the Club’s history. His return of five for 15 inspired Somerset to a 16-run victory.

2019: Babar shows his class with stunning hundred

When the two sides clashed at the Ageas Bowl in 2019, Somerset triumphed by 63 runs (D/L Method). Babar Azam was the player to make the headlines as he smashed his way to a stunning 102 not out from just 55 balls.

2021: Somerset win semi-final thriller

As the 2021 semi-final entered it’s last stages, only the staunchest Somerset supporter would have given their side a chance of coming out on top, but some incredible performances with the bat from the Somerset tail saw the side from the West Country advance to the final in thrilling style.