Watch: Riley Meredith sensationally splits stump in half with thunderbolt in T20 Blast 2025

In a stunning moment during the Vitality T20 Blast 2025, Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith produced a sensational delivery that split a stump in half. Meredith, playing for Somerset, bowled Essex opener Michael Pepper with a fiery ball at Taunton, and the video went viral on social media platforms.

Riley Meredith delivered a match-winning performance for Somerset. He took 2 wickets for just 22 in their 95-run victory, which secured them a spot in the quarter-finals of the Vitality T20 Blast 2025. The Tasmanian speedster is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 24 wickets to his name.

Watch: Riley Meredith Splits Stump in Two with Searing Delivery in T20 Blast 2025

The incident took place during the third over of Essex’s innings. Meredith bowled a low full toss that smashed into Michael Pepper’s leg stump, splitting it in half. One half stayed lodged in the ground while the other flew behind the wicket.

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The dismissal left Pepper stunned at the crease. Meredith sprinted toward the broken stump and picked it up like a trophy before handing the pieces to the umpire. The moment quickly gained traction on social media, with fans and commentators hailing it as a dream delivery for any fast bowler.

“He absolutely smashes the stumps, they’re done,” the shocked commentator said on the TV broadcast.

“What's sight for a fast bowler, that is, get a picture.”

Watch the video of the same posted by Somerset on X (formerly known as Twitter) below:

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

Tom Kohler-Cadmore Starred with the Bat in Somerset's Dominant Win

Somerset delivered an impressive performance with the bat after Essex skipper Simon Harmer elected to bowl first on a batting-friendly surface at Taunton. Somerset’s top order unleashed an aggressive onslaught right from the start.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore was the best batter for Somerset, smashing 90 runs off just 39 balls with eight boundaries and seven sixes. Will Smeed added a quick 32 off 20 deliveries, and Sean Dickson finished unbeaten on 28 from 17 balls.

Essex’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs. Luc Benkenstein, Paul Walter, and Charlie Bennett all conceded over 12 runs per over. Somerset posted a massive total of 225/6 in their 20 overs.

Essex Bowled Out for Just 130 in 14.1 Overs

Somerset crushed Essex to secure a 95-run victory and book their spot in the Vitality T20 Blast 2025 quarterfinals. Chasing a massive target of 226, Essex struggled against Somerset’s bowlers and were bowled out for just 130 in 14.1 overs.

Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers with 4/21, while Craig Overton (2/32) and Riley Meredith (2/22) provided solid support. Young Noah Thain, who scored 38 off just 17 balls, only delayed the inevitable.

Somerset moved to the top of the South Group with 36 points, having won nine out of their 11 matches. In contrast, Essex remain at the bottom of the table with just one win in 11 games.

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