Gloucestershire won their first T20 Blast title, defeating Somerset easily in the final. Despite having strong teams before, they had missed out on the title for 21 years. The semi-finals and final took place on September 14, with low-scoring matches due to a pitch favoring both fast bowlers and spinners.
The T20 Blast, starting in 2003, remains England’s top T20 competition, despite ‘The Hundred’ gaining popularity. This year’s tournament featured several standout young players.
Here are five top players from the 2024 T20 Blast.
5. Luke Hollman
The 24-year-old all-rounder was outstanding during the 2024 T20 Blast. Luke Hollman, known for his leg spin that often gets extra bounce, had an impressive performance in the 22nd edition of the tournament.
He took 23 wickets in 12 matches, with an average of 12.57. Hollman consistently outplayed most batters and kept their scoring low. He performed well on both dry pitches and those not ideal for spin bowlers.
Although Middlesex had a disappointing season, Hollman excelled and took wickets frequently. He had a standout moment with a five-wicket haul against Surrey early in the tournament and managed to take wickets in nearly every match. Hollman will be hoping this successful season leads to more opportunities.
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4. Harrison Ward
Harrison Ward, a stylish left-handed batsman, had a standout season, amassing 350 runs in 12 matches. Although his form declined towards the end of the tournament, his steady performance at the top of the order was crucial in leading Surrey to the semi-finals.
Ward made a significant impact with a match-winning half-century against Middlesex in the final group game, setting up a convincing nine-wicket victory for his team. He also gave a strong start in the quarter-final against Lancashire, scoring 27 runs off 18 balls.
3. Scott Currie
Another young player who stood out in the tournament is Scott Currie, a bowling all-rounder. The right-arm fast-medium bowler took full advantage of the swinging conditions, capturing 20 wickets in 12 matches with an average of 18.95. His skill in moving the ball both in the air and off the pitch makes him a challenging bowler to face.
Though not everyone may recall his achievements, Currie’s last game for Leicestershire was on July 19. In that match, he took two wickets and gave away only 26 runs. His best performance of the season was against Lancashire, where he took 4 wickets for 25 runs. He also contributed with some useful runs.
2. Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell is one of the top young English cricketers. His strong performances in the T20 Blast earned him a place in the England T20 squad for the series against Australia. Bethell is known for his clean hitting and has various skills.
In the second T20I against Australia, he scored a fast 44 off 24 balls and formed a crucial partnership with Liam Livingstone to help his team win. His impressive performances in the T20 Blast were the reason he was selected for the senior team.
In 12 innings, Bethell scored 361 runs. At just 20 years old, he’s a great hitter and has the potential to become a major star for England. Besides his power-hitting, Bethell also has a solid waiting game.
1. James Coles
James Coles, a 20-year-old all-rounder, had a fantastic season with both bat and ball. He ended up among the top run-scorers of the tournament and was very effective with his slow left-arm spin for Sussex. He started strong in the semi-final against Gloucestershire but got out after making 12 runs.
Coles has been steady with the bat, scoring 354 runs in 14 innings. He times the ball well and can hit big shots when needed.
This season, Coles also made a mark with his bowling, taking 20 wickets in 16 matches. With his young age, he could soon be moved up to the England squad.
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