Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s stunning catch seals Somerset’s first T20 Blast title in 18 years

Tom Kohler-Cadmore produced one of the catches of 2023 to seal Somerset’s first T20 Blast title in 18 years.

Somerset beat Essex by 14 runs in the final at Edgbaston on Saturday night, with New Zealand bowler Matt Henry picking up four wickets.

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Essex started off Finals Day by beating defending champions Hampsire by five wickets, before Somerset eased to a 24-run win over Surrey.

The 2019 champions won the toss and immediately sent Somerset to bat, who scored a modest 145 from their 20 overs.

Sean Dickson hit 53 off 35 deliveries, but his high score looked to be in vain as Essex raced to 27 runs without a wicket in their opening two overs.

Then came the wobble, as they proceeded to suffer an almighty top-order collapse – losing five wickers for just 28 runs.

Daniel Sams, who scored 45 off 26 balls, then put Essex back into the match with three sixes.

It left Essex needing 15 runs from ten balls, with Sams’ edge from a Henry delivery looking to race clear towards the boundary.

But Kohler-Cadmore somehow managed to take a flying one-handed catch with his left hand at backward point to leave Essex all out for 131.

It sparked jubilant scenes from the players and fans at Edgbaston as Somerset clinched a memorable second T20 Blast title.

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Speaking to Sky Sports about his catch, Kohler-Cadmore said: “I think if it was someone who was a better mover they’d step across and catch it two-handed.

“But it doesn’t look as good two-handed. Luckily I saw it all the way, it’s one of those that either sticks or doesn’t, thankfully for me it did stick.

“I’m just happy that we’ve actually performed as a team, and that everyone throughout the whole tournament has stood.

“There’s not a single players throughout the team that you could say hasn’t won us a game and I think that’s pretty special.”

Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory added: “[It feels] pretty damn good, I’ve been to finals day many, many times, and this is a special feeling to get over the line tonight.

“Everyone see’s Somerset as the nearly man, and it becomes harder each time you come back. I was just praying we had a couple of guys who were having on of those days where you just can’t stop them. 

“We did it the hard way throughout the day, it’s just rewards.”