Somerset’s 2011 Champions League T20 Journey

What unfolded for Somerset was a journey defined by courage, collapses, comebacks, and encounters with very different kinds of cricketing giants including, the explosive Royal Challengers Bangalore and the disciplined Warriors from South Africa.

The Storm in Bengaluru — RCB vs Somerset

On 3 October 2011, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Somerset by 51 runs in their encounter at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

RCB, put into bat by Somerset, produced the tournament’s highest total at the time 206/6, powered by a sensational innings from Chris Gayle, who raced to 86 off just 46 balls, including four fours and eight sixes. His dominance set the tone for the innings and earned him the Player of the Match award. Supporting contributions came from Virat Kohli (33 off 22) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (23 off 16), who kept the momentum high throughout the innings. Somerset’s bowlers struggled to control the run rate, with Steve Kirby (2/23) and Alfonso Thomas (2/33) offering the most resistance.

In response, Somerset could not match the required tempo and managed 155/6 from their 20 overs. Peter Trego stood out with an impressive 58 from 38 balls, while Craig Kieswetter added a brisk 26. However, the steady bowling of Sreenath Aravind (2/23) and Daniel Vettori (2/25) ensured RCB always remained firmly in control of the chase, with the remainder of the Somerset batters returning to the dugout without making much of an increase to the run rate.

The victory not only revitalised RCB’s campaign but also improved their net run rate significantly, keeping their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive. RCB ended up losing the final to Mumbai Indians by 31 runs.

Fighting Back — Somerset vs Warriors

Two days later, Somerset walked out again at the same venue, this time against the Warriors, a South African unit, who qualified after being runners up to the Cape Cobras in the 2010-11 Standard Back Pro20. If RCB had tested Somerset’s resilience with the brute strength of Chris Gayle, the Warriors would test their reliance with their lengthy batting order.

Choosing to bat first, Somerset built steadily. Craig Kieswetter built the innings magnificently with an unbeaten 56 off 52, guiding them to a respectable 146/4. It wasn’t a monstrous total, but it was defendable.

The Warriors began their chase brightly, Ashwell Prince and JJ Smuts scored freely, taking 24 runs in the first three overs and placing Somerset under real pressure. Enter Alfonso Thomas, Somerset’s captain and the powerhouse of their bowling unit. His use of slower balls and unerring discipline choked the Warriors’ momentum. He returned figures of 2 for 16 off 4 overs, taking the momentum back and crushing the Warriors’ run rate.

Wickets tumbled quickly. The Warriors, cruising at 71 for 1, found themselves trapped, losing regular wickets as Somerset’s bowlers applied pressure. In the final overs, needing 23 off 12 balls, the South African side finally faltered. They finished 134/8, 12 runs short, and Somerset celebrated a victory carved out of sheer determination.

That win sealed their place in the semifinals a triumph born not from power, but from heart.

Somerset faced Mumbai Indians in the Semi-final and finished 10 runs short of the Mumbai Indians 160.

A Campaign to Remember

Despite Somerset only appearing once in the T20 Champions League’s five years Somerset has gone on to win the Vitality Blast twice since (2023 & 2025) and appeared at 5 finals days in a row. A testament to the long-term dominance of Somersets White ball abilities.  Somerset Cricket Museum proudly has the 2 coins that were used at the toss in the RCB and Warriors matches.