Hants, Northants, Notts & Somerset reach T20 semis

Craig Overton, wearing Somerset's pink shirt, celebrates the win over Yorkshire by raising his bat in the air.

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Craig Overton kept Somerset's T20 title defence alive in remarkable fashion

ByBen AshtonBBC Sport England

Published1 hour ago

Somerset's Craig Overton produced one of the great T20 Blast innings to help the defending champions pull off an astonishing victory at Yorkshire and reach Finals Day.

Yorkshire, who were hunting their first T20 Blast title, reduced Somerset to 82-8 in the 15th over in chase of 162 at Headingley.

But Overton smashed 79 from 30 balls, including three sixes from the final over in which the visitors required 22 to win, to ensure Somerset qualified for the showpiece event for the sixth consecutive season.

Notts Outlaws edged past Surrey by just seven runs in a thrilling finale at Trent Bridge that went to the final over.

James Vince smashed 125 from 61 balls and Sonny Baker took 5-24 for three-time winners Hampshire, who cruised into the semi-finals with a crushing 75-run win over Essex at Utilita Bowl.

And Ben Sanderson took 4-20 to help Northamptonshire Steelbacks see off Gloucestershire with an eight-wicket win to complete the last four.

Overton leads incredible Somerset recovery

Craig Overton, wearing Somerset's pink shirt, celebrates the win over Yorkshire by shouting and punching his fists out while holding his bat in his left hand.

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Craig Overton had a strike rate of 263.33

Somerset, who have won two of the past three T20 titles, looked down and out when they needed 80 runs from 27 balls to beat Yorkshire.

The target of 162 set by the Tykes was the lowest in T20 matches at Headingley this season by 31 runs.

Only Adam Lyth (64), with a third half-century of the campaign, had troubled the scorers for Yorkshire as Somerset's bowlers shared the load - Jake Ball taking 3-30 and two wickets apiece for Riley Meredith (2-27), Daniel Sams (2-29) and Craig Overton (2-36).

The hosts then tore into Somerset in their first meeting in this format, quickly reducing the holders to 28-4 in their sixth over.

Tom Banton, released by England to play the game, fell for just one, as did brothers Thomas and James Rew.

Will Smeed (21), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (2), skipper Lewis Gregory (19) and Daniel Sams (0) soon followed to leave Somerset 59-7 and requiring 103 to win from eight overs.

Overton then staged an almost unthinkable recovery, hitting eight fours and five sixes on the way to his first T20 Blast half-century, to inflict a painful defeat on Yorkshire, whose wait for a first title goes on.

Notts edge out Surrey

Olly Stone, wearing Notts Outlaws' green shirt, celebrates with his team-mates after beating Surrey.

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Olly Stone (second right) took two wickets in a tense final over for Notts in their win over Surrey

Surrey appeared to be on course for a routine victory when Jason Roy (76) and Laurie Evans (40) put on 100 for the first wicket after 12 overs in chase of the 164 target set by Notts Outlaws.

But Surrey, seeking a first T20 Blast title since 2003, lost three wickets in quick succession, leaving them needing another 41 from the final 26 balls at Trent Bridge.

The visitors required 12 runs from the final over but Olly Stone (2-23) took two wickets in a tense ending as Surrey's last seven batters contributed just 39 runs.

Binura Fernando (2-27) and George Linde (2-23) also came away with two wickets apiece to help Notts reach Finals Day for the first time since 2020 - a year in which they went on to win the competition.

Jack Haynes was the stand-out performer with the bat for the Outlaws, hitting an unbeaten 75.

Vince and Baker help Hants thrash Essex

James Vince, wearing Hampshire's bright yellow jersey, raises his bat after getting a century

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James Vince has now scored six T20 Blast centuries in his career - only Michael Klinger has more (7)

Vince's ton - the second highest T20 score of the season so far - did most of the damage for Hampshire Hawks as they set Essex a daunting target of 212.

Joe Weatherley also struck 46 from 26 balls, sharing a 117-run partnership with Vince for the second wicket.

Recent England Test debutant Baker then ripped through the Essex top order on his way to a five-wicket haul.

James Fuller also chipped in with 2-24 and despite 44 for Charlie Allison, Essex were second best from start to finish.

Victory for Hampshire means they have now reached T20 Finals Day for the 12th time in their history - a joint record along with Somerset.

Northants cruise past Gloucestershire

Ben Sanderson celebrates taking a wicket for Northants

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Ben Sanderson helped Northants dismiss Gloucestershire for 152 all out

Northamptonshire Steelbacks were the standout performers in the group stages and they showed their credentials once again in a convincing win against Gloucestershire.

The visitors were in trouble at 5-2 and 20-3 but Ben Charlesworth (68) and skipper Jack Taylor (22) stemmed the flow of Northants wickets to drag themselves to 103-4 when Taylor fell in the 12th over.

They were unable to kick on though, and were bowled out for a modest total of 152, with Sanderson the pick of the bowlers.

Northants knocked off the target of 153 with consummate ease. David Willey top-scored with an unbeaten 47, while Ricardo Vasconcelos (42) and Nathan McSweeney (28) also contributed valuable runs.

There was concern for Chris Lynn, who retired hurt on 18 after being struck on the toe by Duan Jansen.

Northants, who have reached Finals Day for the second consecutive season, will have a shot at winning their third T20 Blast title at Edgbaston on Saturday.