Hampshire Hawks Beat Notts Outlaws in T20 Blast Semi-Final

Hawks Build a Dominant Total

Hampshire Hawks posted 187 for three after losing early wicket Toby Albert. A 126‑run partnership between James Vince and Joe Weatherley powered the innings, with Weatherley unbeaten on 88 – his best T20 score. Vince contributed 59 off 43 balls, and one of his drives soared over deep square leg into a stand that is currently being rebuilt. Vince was later dismissed at long‑on by former teammate Benny Howell after a slower delivery evaded his bat. Tristan Stubbs, the South African import, joined Weatherley and managed only eight before fellow overseas player Hilton Cartwright struck 19 runs off nine deliveries. A third‑over pull by George Munsey off Chris Wood allowed Stubbs to effect a simple catch, sealing the fielding display.

Notts Outlaws Fight Back

Notts Outlaws posted 160 runs in 19.5 overs, with Joe Clarke top‑scoring 64 from 43 balls. Clarke’s biggest blow was a six down the ground that helped the visitors reach 50 after seven overs, and he later brought up his half‑century with a top‑edge to third man for four. Jack Haynes added stability, but after the score reached 102 for three the innings unraveled. James Fuller returned figures of 4‑26, while Chris Wood removed George Linde, and England paceman Sonny Baker claimed his first wicket by cleaning up Benny Howell’s middle stump. Scott Currie finished with a catch‑and‑bowl to dismiss Liam Patterson‑White, while also knocking Dillon Pennington’s bails off with a fast delivery. Fuller wrapped up the finish by bowling Joe Pocklington and Olly Stone in the final over, leaving Notts all out with a ball to spare.

Match‑Defining Moments and Final Stand

The breakthrough came in the second over when Mohammad Amir’s delivery sneaked past the edge of Toby Albert and was taken by Tom Moores behind the stumps. Vince’s partnership with Weatherley became one of the competition’s biggest, setting up the highest total so far in this year’s Finals Day. Liam Dawson removed Jack Haynes for 25, and Scott Currie later performed a catch‑and‑bowl to dismiss Liam Patterson‑White, while also knocking Dillon Pennington’s bails off with a fast delivery. The final margin was 27 runs, confirming Hampshire’s progression to the T20 Blast final against Northamptonshire Steelbacks, scheduled for an 18:45 BST start. The result reinforces Hampshire’s status as last year’s runners‑up who are now aiming to improve on that finish in 2026.

What It Means for the Tournament

Hampshire’s win guarantees they will face Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the championship clash, keeping the hunt for the title alive for the runners‑up from last season. Their 187‑run effort stands as the highest total recorded so far in this year’s Finals Day, setting a new benchmark for the competition. Key bowlers such as Fuller, Wood and Currie showed the depth of the squad, while the batting order demonstrated resilience after an early setback. Notts’ collapse after 102 for three highlighted the importance of momentum in short‑format cricket, and the defeat sets up a clear gap between the two sides heading into the final.