Northants claim third T20 Blast title after beating Hants

Northants claim third T20 Blast title after beating HantsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Steelbacks added the 2026 title to those they won in 2013 and 2016ByAlex HoadBBC Sport EnglandPublished6 minutes agoCommentsT20 Blast Final, EdgbastonNorthamptonshire Steelbacks 169 (19.5 overs): Vasconcelos 88; Baker 5-21Hampshire Hawks 155 (19.2 overs): Weatherley 75; Sales 3-25Northants won by 14 runsScorecardNorthamptonshire Steelbacks claimed their third T20 Blast title after a titanic tussle with Hampshire Hawks in an enthralling Edgbaston final.After being asked to bat first the Steelbacks survived a monumental collapse, losing their final eight wickets for 31 to post 169, opener Ricardo Vasconcelos providing the backbone with 88.But they mounted a fine comeback of their own with the ball to prevent Hampshire becoming the first team to win four T20 Blast titles in a nerve-shredding climax which went to the final over.The Hawks needed 31 to win from the final 20 balls with five wickets in hand but that became 15 to win from the final six balls with just two wickets remaining.Joe Weatherley was on strike on 75 - having hit an unbeaten 88 in their semi-final earlier in the day - however he skied Ben Sanderson to Northants skipper David Willey inside the rope at long-on and then Sanderson bowled Sonny Baker from the next ball to secure victory by 14 runs.The England paceman had earlier become the first bowler to claim five wickets on Finals Day in Hampshire's semi-final win over Notts Outlaws.After producing a fine display with both bat and ball to see-off Notts, James Vince opted to bowl first after winning the toss for the final, despite knowing the Steelbacks had beaten Somerset batting first in the opening semi-final.Despite claiming the early scalp of dangerman and former Hawk Chris Lynn, the Australian veteran clipping a short Baker delivery to Chris Wood at short fine leg, the Steelbacks rallied with Vasconcelos and Nathan McSweeney (30) adding a swas...