In a jaw-dropping moment that lit up the Vitality T20 Blast 2025, Australian tearaway pacer Riley Meredith produced a delivery that didn’t just knock over Michael Pepper—it split the stump in half. The incident occurred during Somerset’s emphatic 95-run win over Essex at Taunton, a victory that sealed their place in the quarterfinals.

Meredith, who has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, continued his dream run by claiming 2 wickets for just 22 runs. But it was his thunderbolt in the third over that stole the spotlight. Bowling a searing low full toss, Meredith sent Pepper’s leg stump cartwheeling—one half stuck upright in the ground while the other flew dramatically behind the wicket.

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A stunned Pepper had no response, while Meredith celebrated by picking up the broken stump and presenting it to the umpire like a trophy. Unsurprisingly, the clip went viral across social media, with fans calling it a “fast bowler’s fantasy come to life.”

RILEY SNAPS THE STUMP DOWN THE MIDDLE 🤯

Have you ever seen this before?!?#SOMvESS#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/VQ244pq8RR

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) July 8, 2025

Somerset’s performance with the bat was just as ruthless. After Essex skipper Simon Harmer chose to field first on a belter of a surface, Somerset’s top order erupted. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was at his explosive best, hammering 90 off just 39 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes. He was ably supported by Will Smeed’s brisk 32 (20) and Sean Dickson’s unbeaten 28 (17), propelling Somerset to a mammoth 225/6.

In response, Essex never got going. Chasing 226, they folded for 130 in just 14.1 overs. Matt Henry starred with the ball, claiming 4/21, while Craig Overton (2/32) and Meredith (2/22) tightened the noose. A brief counterattack by youngster Noah Thain (38 off 17) only delayed the inevitable.

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With this dominant win, Somerset soared to the top of the South Group with 36 points, boasting nine wins from 11 games. Essex, on the other hand, continued their miserable campaign, stuck at the bottom with just one victory.