Tom Banton smashed 75 off simply 43 balls to arrange a 17-run Somerset victory over Northamptonshire to ship the reigning champions again to finals day within the Vitality Blast.
Banton hit 5 sixes and 6 fours because the dominant accomplice in a 125-run stand with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who himself cracked six sixes and a pair of boundaries in his 63 off 43 deliveries.
The pair helped propel Somerset to an intimidating 215-3 when batting first, and although Steelbacks captain David Willey (57 off 39) led a spirited chase, the goal in the end proved past their attain because the hosts closed on 198-5.
Earlier, Willey (1-33) struck within the second over to have Will Smeed (6) caught behind, however Banton stayed aggressive from the outset as Somerset ended the six-over powerplay on 49-1.
Banton punished a unfastened Freddie Heldreich over with consecutive sixes over deep midwicket, reaching his half-century off 31 balls.
Kohler-Cadmore reached his half-century off 38 balls and it took a spectacular diving catch from Saif Zaib at deep midwicket to lastly take away the Somerset man, with Banton having fallen three overs earlier to a terrific relay catch on the boundary.
Northamptonshire misplaced George Bartlett in Craig Overton’s opening over with a chip to midwicket, however the Steelbacks in any other case made a robust begin to their chase as they completed the powerplay 52-1.
Ricardo Vasconcelos (30 off 24) was caught at nice leg off Lewis Gregory (3-35), whereas after a sluggish begin, Justin Broad (29 off 18) hit his straps, scooping Ben Inexperienced for six and 4 off consecutive balls and pulling the following supply for one more boundary.
Northamptonshire have been 92-2 after 10 overs, although Broad would fall in reasonably tame vogue within the thirteenth, giving Gregory an easy return catch off his personal bowling.
Saif Zaib (32 off 16) picked up the baton, sending a Inexperienced supply over nice leg and dissecting the sphere with nice precision, whereas Willey introduced up his half-century off 35 balls.
Northamptonshire began the final 5 overs needing 79 to win and Zaib swung Gregory excessive over nice leg for six earlier than changing into Gregory’s third wicket when he skied a catch to mid-on.
Willey continued to press, hitting Jake Ball (1-41) down the bottom earlier than he was caught on the duvet boundary.
Ashton Agar (28no off 11) smashed a 4 and consecutive sixes off the ultimate over however it was in useless as Northamptonshire fell quick by 17 runs.
Watch the ultimate of the T20 Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Saturday 14 September, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and shall be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this 12 months at no additional value. Discover out extra right here.
