Northamptonshire were crowned T20 Blast champions after a 14-run victory over Hampshire in the final at Edgbaston, having earlier beaten Somerset in the semi-finals.
Overton's overdrive continues
Momentum mattered in sport, as seen in the first semi-final. Somerset finished the T20 season strongly, clinching a quarter-final after late wins and bringing Craig Overton's rescue act to Edgbaston. His first ball was clipped for four by Ricardo Vasconcelos, but Somerset appeared to conjure wickets at will as Northamptonshire limped to 143 all out.
Northamptonshire had done their best work early in the season and lost twice to Somerset late in the group stage. Their innings never established momentum, with too many shots caught inside the ropes.
Willey comes to the party
Sometimes a moment of inspiration turns a match. When Overton launched Ben Sanderson back over his head, David Willey ran flat-out round the boundary, flew horizontally at the ball, released it in midair, and Saif Zaib caught the relay low down. It didn't seal the victory alone but was the point the match turned. Somerset needed 75 runs, three down at the halfway stage.
A captain's knock in more senses than one
James Vince led Hampshire to a strong score in their semi-final against Nottinghamshire. As opener, he played as though targeting 180, allowing Joe Weatherley to tee off. Their partnership of 126 comprised much of the day's most fluent strokeplay. Had Nottinghamshire caught their catches, things would have been different.
Clarke fails to write a winning script
At 102 for two in the 13th over, Nottinghamshire were behind the rate to reach 188. Joe Clarke, cruising on 64 off 42, got out caught in the deep. That exposed Notts' all-rounders, numbers four to 11 boasting just two white-ball centuries between them. Above 12 an over against Hampshire's experienced bowlers proved too big an ask.
Baker cooks up a chance
Sent in to bat, Northamptonshire lost both Australian batters before eight overs, but Vasconcelos faced just under half the deliveries in making 88, well over half his team's total of 169. That it wasn't more was largely thanks to Sonny Baker, who bowled fast and unpredictably. A target of 170 appeared thin, but not at Edgbaston chasing with a trophy on the line.
Dawson opens up one end
Weatherley and Dawson were taking the game away from Northants, both set with 41 required from the last four overs. Needing a wicket, Willey tossed the ball to Luke Procter, who had been hammered for six boundaries in an over earlier. Off his fourth ball, a run-out turned the match, Procter fielding off his own bowling and throwing down the stumps to maroon Dawson. Weatherley was still there but running out of partners as a clatter of wickets saw Northamptonshire seal victory by 14 runs. They were worthy winners indeed.
