Northants edge Somerset thriller to make Blast finalImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Northants captain David Willey took 3-17 to lead the Steelbacks to their first T20 Blast final since 2016ByBen AshtonBBC Sport EnglandPublished9 minutes agoT20 Blast semi-final, EdgbastonNorthamptonshire Steelbacks 143 all out (19.2 overs): Lynn 39 (26); Ball 4-17, Meredith 3-21Somerset 126-9 (20 overs): Smeed 49 (35); Willey 3-17, Sanderson 3-28Northamptonshire Steelbacks won by 17 runsScorecard
Northamptonshire Steelbacks produced an excellent bowling display to beat defending champions Somerset by 17 runs and book their place in the T20 Blast final at Edgbaston.
Somerset, who have won two of the past three Blast titles, were on top at the halfway stage after bowling Northants out for 143, thanks in large part to Jake Ball’s 4-17.
But the Steelbacks fought back incredibly with skipper David Willey leading the way with 3-17 to win the semi-final and reach the showpiece match for the first time since 2016, when they went on to win the competition.
Defeat for Somerset, who were appearing in a sixth consecutive Finals Day, means the 23-year run of sides failing to retain the trophy since the Blast began in 2003 will go on.
