Former South Africa seamer Kyle Abbott dropped a crucial catch in the closing moments of the 2025 One-Day Cup final between Hampshire and Worcestershire at Trent Bridge on Saturday (September 20).
Rain curtails One-Day Cup 2025 final
In a rain-curtailed final, Hampshire made 237-7 batting first. Their batting card was dominated by Ali Orr’s 130-ball 110 at the top. Hampshire’s next highest scorer was captain Nick Gubbins. While Matthew Waite picked up 3-60 for Worcestershire, Tom Taylor (1-24 off nine overs) was their most economical bowler.
With repeated rain interruptions, Worcestershire were finally set a revised target of 188 from 27 overs. They were well-placed at 92-2 in the 17th over, but the game tightened as the innings progressed. The match grew particularly tense when their top-scorer, Ethan Brookes, departed for 57 off 34 balls with the score at 168-5 in the 25.2 overs. They then slipped further to 175-7 after the 26th over, following a five-wicket haul from Scott Currie, who had recently been picked in England’s squad for their ODIs against Ireland. The match then came to a nail-biting finish.
Abbott's drop proves costly as Hampshire lose final
With four runs needed off three balls, Worcestershire's No. 9, Henry Cullen, pulled seamer Brad Wheal out towards the boundary. The ball went airborne towards Kyle Abbott at deep square leg, who was standing well inside the boundary ropes. Abbott completed the catch but failed to maintain his balance, with the momentum pushing him backward. He fell to the ground, and his right elbow touched the boundary cushions as he landed. The umpire signalled a boundary, and an ecstatic Cullen began to celebrate having taken his team over the line. His teammates in the dressing room also rejoiced at the moment. Worcestershire won the match and the trophy with three wickets and two balls remaining.
Four needed from three balls, Henry Cullen at the crease.
— Metro Bank One Day Cup (@onedaycup) September 20, 2025
An incredible finish as Worcestershire win the Metro Bank One Day Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6XWUyUZwx8
That was Worcestershire’s first List A title win since 1994, when it was a 60-over tournament. Hampshire, meanwhile, last won in 2018.
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