2026 Vitality Blast Finals Day: Preview
THE MATCHES
Somerset have qualified for a sixth consecutive Finals Day and take on Northants Steelbacks in the first Vitality Blast semi-final at Edgbaston tomorrow (Saturday July 18th).
SEMI-FINAL 1
Somerset v Northants Steelbacks – 11am
SEMI-FINAL 2
Hampshire Hawks v Notts Outlaws – 2:30pm
FINAL
Winner semi-final 1 v Winner semi-final 2 – 6:45pm
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date with a live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and also on our X feed.
Finals Day will be televised on Sky Sports.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
NORTHANTS STEELBACKS
Captain:Â David Willey
Finals Day appearances:Â Five (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2025)
Titles:Â Two (2013, 2016)
2026 finish: 1st in Central & West Group (36)
2026 leading run-scorer: Chris Lynn (475)
2026 leading wicket-taker: James Sales (21)
NOTTS OUTLAWS
Captain: Joe Clarke
Finals Day appearances: Six (2006, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
Titles: Two (2017, 2020)
2026 finish: 1st in North Group (32 points)
2026 leading run-scorer: Henry Munsey (488)
2026 leading wicket-taker: Mohammad Ali (19)
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS
Captain:Â James Vince
Finals Day appearances:Â 11 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Titles:Â Three (2010, 2012, 2022)
2026 finish: 1st in South Group (32 points)
2026 leading run-scorer: James Vince (435)
2026 leading wicket-taker: Scott Currie (22)
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will be without Lewis Goldsworthy (concussion) and Tom Lammonby (elbow) but Tom Banton has been made available.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Somerset Head Coach, Jason Kerr said: “Getting to Finals Day again this year is an incredible achievement. We were set the task of winning the last four group games and we managed to do that. Obviously, last night’s quarter-final was quite remarkable. That really is a game we shouldn’t have won but Craig Overton and that partnership with Riley was just phenomenal.
“We’ve managed to go six Final Days back-to-back now and that’s an incredible achievement which means a hell of a lot. I think it’s a reflection of the character that we’ve got in the dressing room and how much belief they’ve got in each other. There’s genuinely a never say die attitude.
“To be the first team to retain the title would be huge. At the start of any coach’s tenure, you want to create history and if we can do that on Saturday, it’ll be an incredible, incredible achievement. This group is certainly capable of that.
“Finals Day is a great occasion and what’s happened in the group stages counts for nothing. We know Northants well and had two comprehensive wins over them to get this stage but that’s history now. It’s about what happens on the day.
“We’ve experienced some incredible highs and some big lows on Finals Day over the years and we’re looking forward to the opportunity of defending our title on Saturday.”
TRADE NATION STAT
Ahead of our Vitality Blast matches this summer we will be bringing you some amazing stats in partnership with Trade Nation.
CLASSIC MATCH
The last time Somerset appeared at Finals Day we lifted the trophy following a dramatic win over Hampshire Hawks.
Here’s another chance to see last season’s memorable final!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
You can find out everything that you need to know about attending Finals Day from the official Edgbaston website
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Tuesday (July 21st) when we take on Notts Outlaws in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the John Fretwell Centre, Sookholme.
Tickets are available now.
