CRAIG Overton played the innings of a lifetime to ensure his beloved Somerset reached their sixth successive Vitality Blast Finals Day.

Chasing a total of 162 for victory, the Cidermen looked to be done and dusted at 85 for 8 in the 15th, but the 32 year old six foot five tall all rounder, who is enjoying his best ever season, had other ideas.

Somerset, who had produced a run of five wins out of six games to reach this stage of the competition, were up against Yorkshire at Headingley on Wednesday evening where batting first the hosts had posted a below par 161 for 9, Jake Ball taking 3 for 30 while Overton had claimed the scalps of the top two batters to end with 2 for 36.

However, when Somerset replied they were soon in all sorts of trouble as George Hill forced a miscue from Thomas Rew to mid-off before Tom Banton, released from England’s ODI squad to play, edged Tye to slip – 18 for two in the third over.

Hassan Ali had James Rew brilliantly caught one-handed running around from midwicket by Bess before Hill (two for 12) removed Will Smeed. Somerset were four down in the sixth over.

Former Yorkshire batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore was bowled by Dutch quickie Logan van Beek – 38 for five in the ninth. Somerset needed 113 from the last 10 overs but lost Lewis Goldsworthy to Revis.

Further wickets made the chase look forlorn before Overton – he reached 50 in 22 balls – attacked with freedom, hitting three leg-side sixes in the last over to send Somerset through to Finals Day

Overton ended with a career best 79 off just 30 deliveries with 8 fours and five 6s to set up a semi final meeting with Northants at Edgbaston on Saturday morning, starting at 11.a.m..