The T20 Blast semi-final between Northamptonshire vs Somerset ended with Northamptonshire defeating the defending champions by 17 runs at Edgbaston.
The victory secured Northamptonshire’s first Blast final since 2016.
Both teams produced several decisive moments during the semi-final. Below, we look at the performances that shaped the result.
Northamptonshire vs Somerset: First Innings Key Moments
Somerset won the toss and chose to bowl in the first innings of the Northamptonshire vs Somerset T20 Blast semi-final.
The decision paid off early as Ricardo Vasconcelos, Nathan McSweeney and David Willey departed inside the first five overs, leaving Northamptonshire at 26/3 after 4.1 overs.
Chris Lynn and Saif Zaib then rebuilt the innings with a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket. Lynn scored 39 from 26 balls, while Zaib added 26 from 28 to take Northamptonshire past the 90-run mark.
Jake Ball then broke the 65-run partnership by dismissing Chris Lynn for 39 in the 12th over.
Saif Zaib also departed two overs later, leaving Northamptonshire with little support in the lower order.
Wicketkeeper Lewis McManus scored 21 from 16 balls, with Louis Kimber (9) and Calvin Harrison (8) also contributing in the closing overs.
Northamptonshire were eventually bowled out for 143 in 19.2 overs, with Jake Ball claiming 4/17, Riley Meredith taking 3/21, and Craig Overton finishing with 2/33.
Northamptonshire vs Somerset: Second Innings Key Moments
Somerset began the chase on the worst possible note as Tom Banton, their star opener, fell to David Willey off the first ball.
Thomas Rew and James Rew were bowled out in the next three overs, reducing Somerset to 12/3 after 2.5 overs.
Will Smeed and Tom Kohler-Cadmore then added 62 runs for the fourth wicket to keep Somerset in the chase.
Smeed led the partnership with 49 from 35 balls before James Sales dismissed him in the 12th over.
Kohler-Cadmore continued at the crease but managed 29 from 37 balls before departing in the 17th over.
Somerset then lost three more wickets and finished on 126/9 after their 20 overs,
David Willey finished with 3/17 to earn the Player of the Match award. Ben Sanderson also made an important contribution with figures of 3/28.
Northamptonshire Faces Hampshire in the T20 Blast 2026 Final
Northamptonshire will face Hampshire in the T20 Blast 2026 Final after both teams secured victories in their semi-finals at Edgbaston. N
Hampshire defended 187/3 to secure a 27-run victory over Nottinghamshire in the second semi-final and book their place in the T20 Blast 2026 Final.
The final will bring together two teams that impressed with disciplined bowling performances while defending competitive totals.
Northamptonshire will aim to lift their first T20 Blast title since 2016, while Hampshire will look to finish their campaign with another strong display.
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Conclusion
Northamptonshire defended 143 with a disciplined bowling performance to secure a place in the T20 Blast final. David Willey’s early breakthrough and the bowlers’ control throughout the chase proved decisive at Edgbaston.
The result ended Somerset’s title defence after they fell 17 runs short of the target. No team has now successfully retained the T20 Blast trophy.
Northamptonshire will now look to complete their impressive run by lifting the T20 Blast title. The Steelbacks will play their first Blast final in ten years after a memorable semi-final victory.
