Hampshire secure record-breaking spot in T20 finals day
Hampshire Hawks have confirmed their place in a record 11th T20 finals day, cementing their position as one of the nation’s most successful domestic teams in the format.
The Hawks have enjoyed the joint most wins in the competition, with four, and are on track to fight for a record fifth title after a dominant quarter-final win over Durham.
Put into bat after home side Durham won the toss, Hampshire stood up to the challenge, posting a solid 221-8 after half centuries for Toby Albert, Chris Lynn and Hilton Cartwright.
Australian duo Lynn and Cartwright announced their return to the Hawks side ahead of the quarter-final in Durham, with the pair demonstrating their experience and ability behind the bat. In his seventh match for the Hawks this campaign, Cartwright surpassed his previous high score of 56 with 61 runs from 31 balls, while Lynn matched his Hampshire high score of 51.
Lynn and Albert opened the batting for the Hawks, with captain James Vince moving to third in the order, as the pair claimed 90-0 in the powerplay, with Hampshire’s innings seeing Toby Albert nail a huge 68 runs from 37 balls, including four sixes and seven fours.
Durham’s bowlers managed Hampshire’s lower order batters well, however the Hawks managed to post a significant score of 221-8. Durham started the chase short of the required run rate, sitting at 57-2 after six overs.
Early wickets from Howell, Fuller, Wood and Currie saw Durham requiring 80 runs from the final 24 balls at 143-6. Despite a solid final few overs from Durham, and a partnership between Robinson and Rhodes, it wasn’t enough for the hosts as Hampshire won by 26 runs.
Hampshire will head to their record 11th Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday 13 September, facing Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the semi-final.