T20 Blast 2024 NHNTS vs SOM 3rd Quarter Final Match 5th September 2024

Somerset 215 for 3 (Banton 75, Kohler-Cadmore 63) beat Northamptonshire 198 for 5 (Willey 57) by 17 runs Tom Banton smashed 75 from just 43 balls to seal victory for Somerset over Northamptonshire Steelbacks and book their place in the reigning Vitality Blast champions Finals Day. Banton made hay against an often wayward Northamptonshire attack, hitting five sixes and six fours as Somerset amassed a terrifying 215 for three at a sold-out Wantage Road. Banton was a dominant stand-out partner of 125 in 11.3 overs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore struggling to get going at first before finding his groove and registering 63 off just 43 balls with two fours and five sixes. Steelbacks captain David Willey led a spirited chase, contributing 57 from just 39 deliveries (two fours, four sixes), finding good support from Saif Zaib, Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad to keep the hosts in the hunt. But with Somerset captain Lewis Gregory taking three wickets for 35, the target eventually proved beyond their reach as they finished 17 runs short. Earlier, Willey struck in the second when Will Smeed (6) caught behind, but both Willey and Ben Sanderson gifted Somerset. Free runs as they sent down a series of wide legs. Banton showed early intent, smashing Willey through the covers but almost drilled through when the ball lingered in the wind. The next ball, though he knocked one down the ground and hit another over deep point, Somerset ended the power play at 49 for one. With a strong wind making high catches difficult to judge, Gus Miller was unable to get into position to take a direct chance. the leading edge from Kohler-Cadmore on 7.Banton, however, had no trouble locating the boundary, punishing the lost Freddie Heldreich with consecutive sixes over deep midwicket to reach his half-century off 31 balls. Kohler-Cadmore finally hit their stride. a big six over long-off followed by two more boundaries as Australian overseas spinner Ashton Agar conceded 23 from an expensive over. Kohler-Cadmore added two more sixes from the next over, this time with Justin Broad in the firing line. Banton’s departure came on the back of a brilliant boundary stand as he attempted to hit Saif Zaib for a six. First Broad held on to the ball before throwing it to George Bartlett to complete the catch as he crossed the rope. Kohler-Cadmore survived a strong tripping challenge, the third umpire ruled the delivery a no ball as the keeper’s gloves were in front. from tree stumps. The batsman duly put away a free hit for a six to reach his half-century off 38 balls before muscled Agar down the ground for another maximum. It took a spectacular diving catch at deep mid-wicket from Zaib to finally remove the Somerset man, Sanderson eventually getting one into the wicket. Sean Dickson (33) and Lewis Gregory (20) shared 44 runs in the last 3.4 overs. the skipper ends the drive with a gutsy reverse run from White for six. Northamptonshire opened the innings in persistent rain, losing George Bartlett to opener Craig Overton with a chip to midwicket. However, Willey showed real intent against Josh Davey and knocked him down. four and put it over long-off for a six. Despite a broken arm, Vasconcelos maneuvered the ball nicely to edge Jake Ball for six as Northamptonshire finished the powerplay at 52 for one. Willey got the crowd singing by slamming Overton straight for a six and lobbing Gregory over fine leg into the gardens at Wellingborough Road. Vasconcelos (30) was caught at fine leg by Gregory, but after a slow start Broad (29) hit the straps, picking off Ben Green for a six and a four off consecutive balls to pull the next delivery for another boundary. The Steelbacks reached 92 for two after 10 overs against Somerset but were still behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern equation. A wide reverse was swept by Roelof van der Merwe for a four and a six to keep the scoreboard ticking, but they fell in tame fashion and gave Gregory a straight catch. Zaib (32) picked up the baton, sent a green delivery over fine leg and sliced ​​the field with great precision as Willey brought up his half-century off 35 balls. Northamptonshire started the last five overs needing 79 to win and, despite suffering a blow to the helmet, Zaib bowled Gregory high over fine leg for six before becoming Gregory’s third wicket when he skied over the catch to mid-off. Willey kept up the pressure and hit Ball down the ground before being caught on the cover boundary. Agar (28*) smashed four and consecutive sixes off the final over but it was in vain as Northamptonshire fell behind by 17 runs.
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