Vitality Blast Finals Day: Full Preview

The biggest day of the men's domestic calendar awaits as Surrey go up against defending champions Somerset on Finals Day in a rematch of last year's semi-final at Edgbaston.

For a second year running, four teams from the South Group have qualified for Vitality Blast Finals Day, which will kick off at 11 am on Saturday, 14 September in Birmingham with the mouth-watering clash between Surrey and Somerset. Gloucestershire against Sussex Sharks is scheduled to follow at 2:30 pm before the final commences at 6:45 pm.

All games will be available to watch on Sky Sports Cricket. Surrey Cricket's social media will provide live match updates throughout the semi-final, and should Chris Jordan's side progress, the final. A written report will be published on the Club website post-match.

SURREY

Surrey have named a 14-strong for Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston.

SOMERSET

Captain: Lewis Gregory

Previous Finals Day appearances: Nine (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Titles: Two (2005, 2023)

2023 finish: Champions

2024 leading run-scorer: Tom Banton (515 runs)

2024 leading wicket-taker: Ben Green (21 wickets)

The defending champions finished third in the South Group, having won eight of their 14 games and collected 17 points.

In the high-scoring away quarter-final at Northampton, Somerset secured a 17-run victory after Tom Banton (75 off 43) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (63 off 43) had set a target of 216 for Northamptonshire. Lewis Gregory (3/35) and company did enough to keep their hosts under 200 in spite of skipper David Willey's valiant 57 off 39 balls.

LAST TIME OUT VS SOMERSET

Surrey and Somerset went head-to-head on two occasions in the group stage, with either side tasting victory on their home turf.

Jamie Smith's sparkling 87 off 38 balls, including seven sixes, ignited Surrey's home campaign with a 57-run victory over Somerset. Defending 164 at the Kia Oval, Sean Abbott (3/8), Tom Curran (3/16), and Spencer Johnson (2/15) were on spectacular form that evening.

In the reverse fixture at Taunton, Somerset had the last word as the defending champions claimed a six-wicket win, despite memorable knocks from Rory Burns (62), Sam Curran (59) and Jamie Overton (30*).

SUSSEX SHARKS

Captain: Tymal Mills

Previous Finals Day appearances: Five (2007, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2021)

Titles: One (2009)

2023 finish: Sixth (South Group)

2024 leading run-scorer: Dan Hughes (595 runs)

2024 leading wicket-taker: Tymal Mills (24 wickets)

Sussex Sharks finished second in the South Group standings – behind Surrey – on 18 points. They will play Gloucestershire in the second semi-final on Finals Day.

To reach the last four, the Sharks smashed Lancashire Lightning at Hove, reducing their guests to 114 all out before chasing down the target inside 15 overs. Australian Dan Hughes, the leading run-scorer of the competition, top-scored for Sussex Sharks with 35 off 22 balls, and James Coles' unbeaten 27 to go with his bowling figures of 2/9 earned him the player of the match.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Captain: Jack Taylor

Previous Finals Day appearances: Three (2003, 2007, 2020)

Titles: None

2023 finish: Seventh (South Group)

2024 leading run-scorer: Cam Bancroft (442 runs)

2024 leading wicket-taker: David Payne (29 wickets)

Gloucestershire sneaked into the last eight ahead of Essex on a better net run-rate. In the quarter-final itself, they handed North Group winners Birmingham Bears their fourth consecutive quarter-final defeat, winning the low-scoring contest at Edgbaston by 14 runs.

Cam Bancroft's 43 took Gloucestershire to 138 all out before David Payne (4/23) and Ollie Price (3/32) hunted the Bears at their home to claim a famous victory.