Finals Day: What you missed from the Semi-Finals

A sell-out crowd at Edgbaston Stadium witnessed several stand-out moments and individual brilliance during the Semi-Finals of the 2026 Vitality Blast Finals Day, as Northamptonshire and Hampshire made it through to tonight’s Final.

2026-07-18T18:05+01:00

Here are some of the best bits…

First over of Finals Day

Northamptonshire batted first in their Semi-Final clash with Somerset, and the first over of the day set the tone for what would be an impressive Northants performance. Ricardo Vasconcelos clipped the first ball off his legs for four and then nailed a stunning cover drive four balls later.

First ball wicket

Northants captain, David Willey, opened the bowling for Somerset’s reply, and took the huge wicket of Tom Banton first ball, giving his side the perfect start. Slightly short of a length, Banton prodded outside off-stump, with the ball catching his outside edge and he was caught behind by Lewis McManus.

Smeed’s over

The biggest over in the Semi-Finals came from Will Smeed, who has a knack of producing game-changing innings’ at Edgbaston, having done so in the final last year when Somerset triumphed. At 24 for three and with his team in trouble, Smeed smashed 28 off Luke Procter’s first over with two sixes and four fours to put his side firmly back in contention.

Caught behind

While Smeed’s 28 off one over looked to have altered the course of the game, McManus’ stunning grab behind to dismiss him for 49 put Northants back in the driving seat. A thick outside edge from Smeed off the bowling of James Sales was expertly taken by McManus who, diving to his right, took a brilliant catch one-handed.

Relay catch

McManus’ catch behind was special, however the best bit of fielding in the Semi-Finals was undoubtedly that of Willey’s, although you won’t see his name on the scorecard. The dangerous Craig Overton hit Ben Sanderson’s full delivery straight down the ground, and it looked to be going for six. Willey took off, taking the catch in mid-air and threw it back to Saif Zaib before landing, who took the catch. You’ll do well to see a better bit of fielding.

Big partnership

In the second Semi-Final, James Vince and Joe Weatherley combined to devastating effect, as Hampshire reached 187 for three after their 20 overs. Vince hit 59 off 43 balls, while Weatherley smashed an unbeaten 88 off 58. The duo put on a match-winning 126 for the second wicket.

Caught in the Hollies

Vince brought up his 50 off 36 balls, doing so with a huge six, up and over mid-wicket and straight into the Hollies stand. Not only that, but it was expertly taken in the crowd, all to a standing ovation.

Hampshire’s attack

In their chase, Notts were always slightly behind the required rate, before some outstanding death bowling put Hampshire firmly in control. Once Joe Clarke was dismissed for 64, the Outlaws’ hopes faded fast thanks to a skilled display from the Hampshire attack. The wickets were shared around, with James Full (4-26), Chris Wood (2-31), Scott Currie (2-33), Sonny Baker (1-28) and Liam Dawson (1-36) all in the wickets.