Summary

  • 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

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  1. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 2.2 overs

    McSweeney lbw b Overton 1 (Northants 18-2 v Somerset)

    omerset's Craig Overton traps Northamptonshire Steelbacks Nathan McSweeney LBW during the Vitality T20 Finals Day 2026 semi final match between Northants Steelbacks and Somerset County Cricket ClubImage source, Shutterstock

    Another review, another wicket for Somerset!

    It's fast and straight from Craig Overton and replays show it's going on to smash straight into middle stump.

    Nathan McSweeney goes for just one and Northants skipper David Willey is at the crease before opener Chris Lynn has faced a ball.

  2. Umpire reviewpublished at 2.2 overs

    Northants 18-1 v Somerset

    Another huge appeal as Craig Overton strikes Nathan McSweeney in front. Somerset huddle quickly together and are reviewing the not out decision again.

  3. 'It was really close'published at 11:11 BST 18 July

    Northants 15-1 v Somerset

    Aatif Nawaz
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It was really close when looking at it because you could see a little bit of the off-stump exposed.

  4. Postpublished at 2 overs

    Northants 18-1 v Somerset

    Nathan McSweeney is in and his first ball from Riley Meredith thuds into his pads.

    Northants scamper through for a quick two before McSweeney nudges a single to mid-wicket. A good over for Somerset with the wicket of Ricardo Vasconcelos.

    Chris Lynn still hasn't faced a ball yet.

  5. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 1.3 overs

    Vasconcelos lbw b Meredith 15 (Northants 15-1 v Somerset)

    No edge on the bat of Ricardo Vasconcelos but it is going on to hit the stumps!

    A big early wicket for Somerset and an excellent review by skipper Lewis Gregory as Riley Meredith gets his man.

  6. Umpire reviewpublished at 1.3 overs

    Northants 15-0 v Somerset

    Australian pace bowler Riley Meredith with the second over for Somerset and his first ball is flashed away hard by Ricardo Vasconcelos behind square on the offside for four.

    Then a big appeal as Vasconcelos attempts the ramp and is caught at leg slip. Did it hit the bat or was it lbw? Somerset are asking the question.

  7. Postpublished at 1 over

    Northants 11-0 v Somerset

    Nice start for Northants from the first ball as Ricardo Vasconcelos flicks Craig Overton off his legs for four. That should settle any early nerves.

    Vasconcelos then walks down the track to the fourth ball and flicks into the legside again to pick up another two.

    And then a beautiful stroke for the second boundary of the innings, Vasconcelos pushing through extra cover on the up and it races away for four.

    A quick single to end the first over and the Steelbacks will take that.

  8. T20 Blast Finals Day beginspublished at 11:00 BST 18 July

    Northants 0-0 v Somerset

    The pyro show greets the two sets of players as they take to the field and now away we go at Edgbaston for the highly anticipated T20 Blast Finals Day.

    Northamptonshire Steelbacks, who have the most wins in the competition so far, against Finals Day regulars Somerset. This should be good.

    Somerset's Headingley hero Craig Overton will bowl the first over for Somerset. Ricardo Vasconcelos and Chris Lynn opening up for Northants.

  9. 'This is the day for county cricket'published at 11:00 BST 18 July

    Northants v Somerset (11:00 BST)

    Melissa Story
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It's been scorching these past few weeks and certainly these are the conditions you want when you are locked in for a long day of cricket.

    There are people who have travelled here from all over the country and we can see an array of county shirts in display, even for teams who haven't qualified because this is the day for county cricket.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:58 BST 18 July

    #bbccricket

    Somerset's James Rew, wearing a purple Somerset training top, pictured in a huddle before Finals DayImage source, Getty Images

    We are settling in for a long, sunny and super Saturday of T20 Blast cricket.

    And there's nothing more we'd like than to hear from you on any Blast or cricket-related matter. Simply hit that yellow button and share your thoughts with us.

  11. Toss and team news - Somerset decide to bowlpublished at 10:55 BST 18 July

    Northants v Somerset (11:00 BST)

    David Willey of Northants and Lewis Gregory of Somerset at the toss before the matchImage source, Getty Images

    Somerset have won the toss and elected to bowl.

    Northamptonshire Steelbacks have made one change from their quarter-final win over Gloucestershire with Luke Procter coming in for George Scrimshaw.

    Somerset have also made one change from their dramatic last-over victory at Yorkshire in the last round, with ex-England spinner Jack Leach replacing Lewis Goldsworthy, who is out with concussion.

    Tom Banton, who was released by England to play but only managed one from five balls with the bat in the last eight, also starts again.

    Here are the two line-ups for our first semi-final of the day.

    Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Ricardo Vasconcelos, Chris Lynn, Nathan McSweeney, David Willey (c), Saif Zaib, Louis Kimber, Calvin Harrison, Lewis McManus (wk), James Sales, Luke Procter, Ben Sanderson.

    Somerset: Will Smeed, Thomas Rew (wk), Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Rew, Lewis Gregory (c), Daniel Sams, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Riley Meredith, Jake Ball.

  12. Name on the trophy again?published at 10:51 BST 18 July

    Northants v Somerset (11:00 BST)

    Somerset players gathered behind captain Lewis Gregory after winning the T20 Blast in 2025Image source, Getty Images

    Defending champions with their backs seriously against their walls on Wednesday night?

    Argentina? No, they were only one goal down in the World Cup semi-final.

    For a true heroic comeback, we're talking Somerset and their two-wicket victory over Yorkshire in the T20 Blast quarter-final.

    At 59-7 and 82-8, they were toast. Cue Craig Overton smashing 79 off only 30 balls to lead them to a two-wicket win off the penultimate ball.

    After eight games of the group, they had lost five and were in big trouble of elimination but the Cider Boys have now dug out five straight wins and arrive at Edgbaston full of momentum.

    Like Lionel Messi and Co, Somerset do not know when they are beaten and they are chasing history.

    No side has defended the T20 Blast while a third in four seasons would take them to a record four Blast crowns.

    Would you back against that?

  13. Underestimate Northants at your perilpublished at 10:48 BST 18 July

    Northants v Somerset (11:00 BST)

    Chris Lynn with his bat in his right hand and helmet in his left after scoring a century for Northants v GlamorganImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Chris Lynn has scored 475 runs in this year's T20 Blast

    As one of the smaller counties on the circuit, it's very easy for Northamptonshire to slip under the radar.

    But in the last two seasons under grizzled ex-Australia head coach Darren Lehmann, the Steelbacks have started to punch above their weight again.

    They returned to Finals Day last year for the first time in nine years only to lose to Hampshire Hawks in the semi-final.

    But they were impressive winners of the Central and West Group this season (although they were twice well beaten by Somerset) and saw off Gloucestershire in the quarters with a bit to spare.

    Australian T20 specialist Chris Lynn has smashed two centuries, while James Sales and Calvin Harrison have combined for 41 wickets with the ball.

    Twice before (2013 and 2016) have Northants performed a heist at Finals Day and walked away with the trophy. Could this be an unlikely hat-trick?

  14. BBC Coveragepublished at 10:46 BST 18 July

    #bbccricket

    BBC Local Radio

    We have it all covered from Edgbaston where there is live commentary of all three games on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

    There will also be live coverage on the local stations with BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Radio Somerset now and BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Nottingham this afternoon for Hampshire Hawks v Notts Outlaws.

  15. Today's schedulepublished at 10:43 BST 18 July

    #bbccricket

    Northants head coach Darren Lehmann before T20 Finals Day at EdgbastonImage source, Shutterstock
    • Northamptonshire Steelbacks v Somerset (11:00 BST)
    • Notts Outlaws v Hampshire Hawks (14:30)
    • FINAL (18:45)
  16. Let's have a Blast!published at 10:40 BST 18 July

    Northants v Somerset (11:00 BST)

    The sun shining over the stands at Edbaston on the morning of T20 Blast Finals DayImage source, Shutterstock

    The party's been in the diary for months, but we only got the guest list on Wednesday.

    We've reverted back to high summer from the creeping autumnal nights of September, so forget about needing a coat.

    It's sunhats, suncream and cold drinks at the ready as T20 Finals Day is here.

    Four sides have made it to Edgbaston for three high-octane games before the winners are eventually crowned around 10pm this evening.

    So, let's go and have a Blast, shall we?