Northamptonshire Steelbacks beat Hampshire Hawks by 14 runs in T20 Blast final
Third title for Northants; Hants have lost past two finals
Baker takes 5-21 for Hants as Northants post 169
Hawks all out for 155 despite Weatherley 75
Somerset & Notts Outlaws lost in semi-finals
Hants 4-1 v Notts
Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham
It was the faintest of outside edges but it was a lovely rising delivery from Mohammad Amir.
For just the second ball of the match and wanting to get on with it, Toby Albert played a shot at it and just feathered it through to Tom Moores.
A perfect start for Nottinghamshire.
Albert c Moores b Amir 4 (Hants 4-1 v Notts)
First ball flies off the edge of Toby Albert as does the second.
The first goes to the third man boundary, wide of slip, but the second is finer and Tom Moores grabs after a quick juggle behind the stumps and Mohammad Amir strikes.
Great start for the Outlaws.
Hants 0-0 v Notts
Mohammad Amir has the white ball in hand and Toby Albert is on strike.
Danger man James Vince is at the non-strikers' as he aims to lead his side to a fourth Blast title.
Notts, winners in 2017 and 2020, are chasing a third.
Hampshire v Notts (14:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesThe players from both sides are gathered on the edge of the field as they prepare for a minute's applause in memory of Sir Garfield Sobers.
Richly, richly deserved for true cricketing royalty.
Can Notts produce a display worthy of one of their late West Indies star and one of cricket's greatest ever players?
Hampshire v Notts (14:45 BST)
Hampshire cruised past Essex on Wednesday but they have power to add in their ranks in the shape of spinning all-rounder Liam Dawson and South Africa star Tristan Stubbs.
They are two seriously talented players to bring into your line-up for Finals Day. Delano Potgieter and Andrew Neal are the ones to drop out.
Notts Outlaws make one enforced change from their win over Surrey. Sri Lanka left-armer Binura Fernando broke his hand fielding a ball in that game and Dillon Pennington takes his place.
Outlaws captain Joe Clarke has called correctly and he is going to bowl first. That didn't go well for Somerset this morning, so will things be different for the Trent Bridge side?
Hampshire Hawks: Albert (wk), Vince (c), Weatherley, Mayes, Stubbs, Cartwright, Fuller, Currie, Dawson, Wood, Baker.
Notts Outlaws: Clarke (c), Munsey, Haynes, Pocklington, Moores (wk), Linde, Howell, Patterson-White, Stone, Amir, Pennington.
Hampshire v Notts (14:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNot since 2019 has a team held the T20 Blast title at the same time as the County Championship.
But it's a sign of how smoothly things are running for Notts Outlaws right now that they aim to add the premier white-ball trophy to their Championship from last September.
Leading Division One again this season and winners of the North Group, the Trent Bridge club is getting used to its name at the top of the pile again.
The Outlaws showed real champion qualities with bat and ball in seeing off Surrey by seven runs on Wednesday, as they knew how to reach a competitive score after losing early wickets and they reined in the Brown Caps after they had got to 101-0, chasing 164.
T20 captain Joe Clarke and wicketkeeper Tom Moores remain from their last Blast-winning team in 2020, but a full house at Edgbaston would certainly top that Covid triumph.
Hampshire v Notts (14:45 BST)
Dan George
BBC Sport England at Edgbaston
Image source, BBC SportGood afternoon from the press box at Edgbaston where there is a great buzz around the ground for Finals Day.
There was a brilliant crowd and noise in here for the first semi-final of the day, and that will hopefully continue all the way through to tonight's final.
The mascots from every county have just had their race which to be honest was very impressive in the current conditions.
Having just won in their semi-final, Northamptonshire also took the win in the race as Steeler the dog came out on top, holding onto his "head" all the way around.
The race had a fast start with Lanky the Giraffe leading the way, but by the halfway point most of them were struggling out there, limited to a jog as they made their way around and past the obstacles.
Now onto the second semi-final where we are not far away from getting started!
Hampshire v Notts (14:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesNo need for the Hampshire Hawks bus driver to put Edgbaston into the sat-nav for this trip.
For the fifth time in six years and a record 12th time, Hampshire are contesting Finals Day.
Although it's worth pointing out that it has only produced three titles and an overall losing record (P15 W7 L8).
James Vince's masterful 125 and Sonny Baker's 5-24 headlined the thumping win over Essex, while Liam Dawson has been freed from England duty to bolster batting and spin options.
The Hawks are usually there or thereabouts at this stage in the competition, but they'll need a standout showing on the biggest stage to claim a fourth crown and not be left watching the fireworks going off for someone else.
Hampshire v Notts (14:45 BST)
Right, as Northants can have the afternoon off and Somerset jump onto a bus heading back down the M5, it's time to begin the build-up to the second semi-final.
North Group winners Notts Outlaws against South Group winners Hampshire Hawks.
A heavyweight semi-final.
Result: Northants (143 all out) beat Somerset (126-9) by 17 runs
Mal Loye
Former Northants and England batsman on BBC Radio Northampton
I didn't think it'd be that big a margin, I really didn't, but they've had a good look at this pitch.
For me they go in as favourites into the final. They've had such a great season.
Fair play to David Willey who produced an outstanding catch to dismiss Craig Overton. One the best catches you're ever likely to see and from that point on you kind of knew the Steelbacks would be in the final.
Result: Northants (143 all out) beat Somerset (126-9) by 17 runs
Daniel Norcross
Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
What a perfect way to finish.
An ecstatic David Willey punches the air and Ben Sanderson finishes with 3-28.
Somerset finish on a desultory 126-9 and Northants, against the odds, have defended 143.
They can now sit back and relax.
Result: Northants (143 all out) beat Somerset (126-9) by 17 runs
Andrew Radd
BBC Radio Northampton
What a win and the Steelbacks are back in the final thanks to a brilliant bowling performance.
Meredith b Sanderson 3 (Northants 143 v Somerset 126-9)
Ben Sanderson bowls Riley Meredith with the final delivery of the innings and Northants are in the final and will chase a third title later on this afternoon.
They have defended a small total and deserved it, too.
What a performance from the Steelbacks and what a catch from David Willey.
When Will Smeed smashed Luke Procter for 28 it looked as though Somerset were on their way but a brilliant fielding and bowling display has done for them.
Procter held his nerve brilliantly to come back with a wicket and two runs in the penultimate over.
Lewis McManus took a worldie to dismiss Smeed and then Willey and Saif Zaib pulled off a brilliant relay catch to get Craig Overton.
A great game and a great performance.
Northants 143 v Somerset 121-8 (23 needed)
Mal Loye
Former Northants and England batter on BBC Radio Northampton
Calvin Harrison is a cool customer, he's has had very good game with the ball and he's taken that easily.
Northants have been brilliant in the field and outstanding from David Willey to change the game towards the end.
Northants 143 v Somerset 121-8 (23 needed)
What an over from Luke Procter. He has surely won the match for his side with a nerveless display.
Yorkers, a wicket and just two runs conceded, making his overall figures 1-30!
Sams c Harrison b Procter 14 (Somerset 121-8 still require 23 from eight balls)
Superb stuff from a nerveless Luke Procter who fires in two brilliant yorkers, concedes a two then strikes.
Calvin Harrison keeps his nerve on the deep midwicket boundary as Daniel Sams holes out.
Northants 143 v Somerset 119-7 (25 needed from 12 balls)
The over finishes with a tough chance which James Sales puts down at extra cover.
But that is a superb over for Northants.
Luke Procter, who went for 28 in his first over, is back on.
Northants 143 v Somerset 111-7
Andrew Radd
BBC Radio Northampton
That is incredible! That deserves to win the match.
That is quite phenomenal!
It's as good a bit of fielding as you will ever see.
Northants 143 v Somerset 111-7
Daniel Norcross
Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant relay catch.
That is brilliant from David Willey and Saif Zaib. That is one of the best you'll see.
Overton c Zaib b Sanderson 5 (Somerset 111-7, still require 33 from 15 balls)
That is unbelievable. Unbelievable.
David Willey has caught this coming from long-on and relayed it to Saif Zaib as he went over the rope.
Craig Overton thought he had followed up a four with a maximum straight off Ben Sanderson but he is on his way.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vasconcelos,bowled Baker Vasconcelos, bowled Baker | 88 | 59 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 71 | 149.15 |
Lynn,caught Wood, bowled Baker Lynn, caught Wood, bowled Baker | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 80.00 |
McSweeney,leg before wicket, bowled Fuller McSweeney, leg before wicket, bowled Fuller | 30 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 187.50 |
McManus,caught Mayes, bowled Currie McManus, caught Mayes, bowled Currie | 22 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 129.41 |
Willey,caught Vince, bowled Fuller Willey, caught Vince, bowled Fuller | 11 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 137.50 |
Kimber,bowled Baker Kimber, bowled Baker | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.00 |
Zaib,caught Weatherley, bowled Fuller Zaib, caught Weatherley, bowled Fuller | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Harrison,leg before wicket, bowled Baker Harrison, leg before wicket, bowled Baker | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 50.00 |
Procter,not out Procter, not out | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 100.00 |
Sales,bowled Baker Sales, bowled Baker | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
Sanderson,caught Vince, bowled Currie Sanderson, caught Vince, bowled Currie | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 160.00 |
Extras, no balls 0, wides 2, byes 0, leg byes 1, total 3 Extras, no balls 0, wides 2, byes 0, leg byes 1, total 3 | |||||||
Total,169 all out 19.5 overs Total,169 all out 19.5 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood | 4.0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10.75 |
Baker | 4.0 | 0 | 21 | 5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5.25 |
Currie | 3.5 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9.91 |
Dawson | 4.0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7.50 |
Fuller | 4.0 | 0 | 36 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
9 for 1 (1.5 overs) | Lynn |
69 for 2 (7.5 overs) | McSweeney |
138 for 3 (15.2 overs) | McManus |
148 for 4 (16.5 overs) | Vasconcelos |
158 for 5 (17.4 overs) | Willey |
158 for 6 (17.5 overs) | Zaib |
159 for 7 (18.1 overs) | Harrison |
160 for 8 (18.3 overs) | Kimber |
160 for 9 (18.5 overs) | Sales |
169 for 10 (19.5 overs) | Sanderson |
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albert,caught McManus, bowled Willey Albert, caught McManus, bowled Willey | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Vince,caught Vasconcelos, bowled Sales Vince, caught Vasconcelos, bowled Sales | 17 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 106.25 |
Weatherley,caught Willey, bowled Sanderson Weatherley, caught Willey, bowled Sanderson | 75 | 53 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 79 | 141.51 |
Mayes,caught Harrison, bowled Sales Mayes, caught Harrison, bowled Sales | 9 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 81.82 |
Stubbs,bowled Harrison Stubbs, bowled Harrison | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 66.67 |
Cartwright,bowled Sales Cartwright, bowled Sales | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 220.00 |
Dawson,run out Procter Dawson, run out Procter | 35 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 194.44 |
Fuller,bowled Procter Fuller, bowled Procter | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 60.00 |
Currie,bowled Procter Currie, bowled Procter | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 100.00 |
Wood,not out Wood, not out | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.00 |
Baker,bowled Sanderson Baker, bowled Sanderson | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Extras, no balls 0, wides 0, byes 0, leg byes 1, total 1 Extras, no balls 0, wides 0, byes 0, leg byes 1, total 1 | |||||||
Total,155 all out 19.2 overs Total,155 all out 19.2 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Willey | 4.0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9.00 |
Sanderson | 3.2 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7.80 |
Procter | 3.0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8.33 |
Sales | 4.0 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6.25 |
Zaib | 1.0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10.00 |
Harrison | 4.0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
0 for 1 (0.1 overs) | Albert |
40 for 2 (5.5 overs) | Vince |
68 for 3 (9.4 overs) | Mayes |
77 for 4 (10.3 overs) | Stubbs |
90 for 5 (11.5 overs) | Cartwright |
138 for 6 (16.4 overs) | Dawson |
153 for 7 (18.3 overs) | Fuller |
155 for 8 (18.5 overs) | Currie |
155 for 9 (19.1 overs) | Weatherley |
155 for 10 (19.2 overs) | Baker |