Kent win Vitality blast as fans enjoy party atmosphere

Sam Billings was full of praise for the “magic” interventions of Jordan Cox, who inspired Kent to victory in the Vitality Blast final with an unbeaten fifty and a sensational piece of athleticism in the field.

Having taken 17 balls to get his first 20 runs against Somerset at Edgbaston on Saturday evening, Cox injected some impetus into proceedings to finish on 58 not out from only 28 deliveries, with three fours and as many sixes.

Cox’s efforts helped Kent add 49 runs in their last three overs as they posted 167 for seven before the 20-year-old took centre stage in Somerset’s chase, leaping over the boundary rope to palm Lewis Gregory’s blow to Matt Milnes.

Milnes completed the catch as Somerset lurched to 94 for six before eventually settling on 142 for nine to lose by 25 runs and ensure Kent were crowned champions for a second time, 14 years after their maiden success.

Their triumph owed much to Cox, who has grasped his opportunity to impress this season with 367 runs in the competition at a hugely impressive average of 52.42 and strike-rate of 142.24, to the delight of Billings.

The Kent captain said: “He’s been our best player this year in the T20 Blast. At times he’s played a completely different knock where he’s just needed to get his head down and then you’ve seen his raw ability that we all see.

Earlier Kent had beaten Sussex by 21 runs, while Somerset reached the final, beating Hampshire by two wickets.