Somerset beat Northamptonshire by 105 runs – T20 Blast Match Report
Somerset won by 105 runs in the 82nd match of 115 in the T20 Blast 2026 at County Ground, Northampton. Joshua Thomas delivered one of the most dominant bowling displays of the season – 4/6 from 3 overs at an economy of 2 – as Somerset dismantled Northamptonshire’s chase to secure a comprehensive victory. The win lifts Somerset to 11th (4W 5L, 16pts) while Northamptonshire slip to 1st despite the loss (8W 1L, 32pts).
Somerset’s Explosive 223
Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bowl, but Somerset’s batting lineup made them pay dearly. Will Smeed set the tone with 48 off 31 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes) before falling at 114/1 in the 10th over. Thomas Rew was the centrepiece of Somerset’s innings, smashing 57 off just 30 balls (10 fours, 1 six) at a strike rate of 190, striking at will before being caught at 104/2 in the 9th over.
James Rew continued the momentum with 30 off 20 (4 fours) before departing at 163/3 in the 16th over. Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell cheaply for 4 at 122/4, but the real fireworks came from Daniel Sams – 48 off just 16 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) at a strike rate of 300, blasting Somerset past 220 in the final overs. Lewis Goldsworthy remained unbeaten on 19 off 17 to guide Somerset to 223/4.
Ben Sanderson was the pick of Northamptonshire’s bowlers with 1/47 from 4 overs, while Calvin Harrison took 2/31 from 3. James Sales went for 53 from 4 overs, and David Willey conceded 43 from 4 without taking a wicket.
Northamptonshire’s Collapse
Chasing 224, Northamptonshire began positively with Ricardo Vasconcelos striking 41 off 23 (8 fours) to give the hosts hope. But the innings unravelled spectacularly once Joshua Thomas took the ball. His devastating spell of 4/6 from 3 overs – conceding just 6 runs while taking 4 wickets – dismantled Northamptonshire’s middle order. Saif Zaib was bowled at 67/5, and Thomas removed the next three batsmen in quick succession to leave Northamptonshire in freefall.
Nathan McSweeney made 14 off 13 before falling LBW at 49/2 in the 4th over. Calvin Harrison contributed 18 off 17 before being caught at 99/3 in the 12th over. Louis Kimber (13 off 11) and Lewis McManus (13 off 12) offered brief resistance, but the damage was done. Northamptonshire were bowled out for 118 in 15.3 overs, losing by 105 runs.
Lewis Goldsworthy was exceptional with the ball, taking 3/32 from 4 overs. Josh Shaw took 2/14 from 1.3 overs, and Craig Overton claimed 1/21 from 4.
Statz MVP: Joshua Thomas (Statz Rating: 151.65)
Joshua Thomas earns the Statz MVP award with a mi_rating of 151.65 – a performance of extraordinary impact. His 4/6 from 3 overs was the defining moment of the match, dismantling Northamptonshire’s chase with surgical precision. At an economy of just 2, Thomas delivered the most economical and destructive spell of the evening, single-handedly shifting the balance decisively in Somerset’s favour.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Joshua Thomas (SOM) – Statz Rating: 151.65 | 4/6 from 3 overs (economy 2) – Devastating spell dismantled Northamptonshire’s chase.
- Daniel Sams (SOM) – Statz Rating: 93.77 | 48 off 16 (SR 300, 4 fours, 4 sixes) – Explosive finishing propelled Somerset past 220.
- Lewis Goldsworthy (SOM) – Statz Rating: 85.64 | 19 off 17 with bat plus 3/32 from 4 overs – Strong all-round contribution in dominant display.
- Thomas Rew (SOM) – Statz Rating: 71.21 | 57 off 30 (SR 190, 10 fours, 1 six) – Aggressive batting set the tone for Somerset’s total.
- Ricardo Vasconcelos (NOR) – Statz Rating: 69.93 | 41 off 23 (SR 178, 8 fours) – Lone bright spot in Northamptonshire’s collapse.
Turning Point
The match turned decisively when Joshua Thomas took the ball in the middle overs of Northamptonshire’s chase. His spell of 4/6 from 3 overs – removing Saif Zaib (bowled at 67/5), and three further batsmen in rapid succession – transformed the contest from competitive into a rout. Northamptonshire needed 105 to win but Thomas’s intervention left them needing 79 off 53 balls with the lower order exposed and the momentum irretrievably lost.
Match Context
This was the 82nd match of 115 in the T20 Blast 2026 group stage. Somerset (11th, 4W 5L, 16pts) secure a crucial away victory to keep their qualification hopes alive. Northamptonshire (1st, 8W 1L, 32pts) remain top of the table despite the heavy defeat, but this loss will serve as a sobering reminder of their vulnerability. See the full scorecard on Statz for the complete breakdown, or explore the bet builder for indicative odds on future encounters between these sides.
