Gloucestershire’s defence of the Vitality Blast came to an end on Wednesday as Northamptonshire Steelbacks reached Finals Day with an eight-wicket win at the cinch County Ground, Northampton.
Northants chase down 153 with wickets in hand
The visitors were bowled out for 152, with Ben Charlesworth playing the best hand for Gloucestershire — a career-best T20 score of 68 off 38 balls. Despite that effort, Northamptonshire chased the total comfortably thanks to a measured innings from skipper David Willey, who finished 47 not out.
The match swung early when Duan Jansen struck Chris Lynn on the foot, forcing Lynn from the field, and Ricardo Vasconcelos removed a dangerous-looking Lynn’s partner earlier in the innings. Gloucestershire lost wickets in clusters and only Jack Taylor (24) offered a support score alongside Charlesworth before the tail folded.
Bowling figures and turning points
Northamptonshire seamer Ben Sanderson produced his season-best performance, taking 4 for 20, while leg-spinner Calvin Harrison returned 2 for 23. The Steelbacks’ early strikes set the tone: Dawid Malan was crowded out to backward square and Graeme van Buuren fell at mid-on in quick succession.
- Gloucestershire total: 152 (all out)
- Top Gloucestershire scorer: Ben Charlesworth — 68 (38)
- Northamptonshire successful chase led by David Willey — 47*
Charlesworth’s innings featured powerful driving and two huge sixes off George Scrimshaw, and he raised Gloucestershire’s hundred with brisk intent. But the visitors lost momentum when James Sales removed Jack Taylor, and a run-out involving Kamran Dhariwal and Ricardo Vasconcelos compounded their problems. Miles Hammond was then bowled by Scrimshaw, and Charlesworth eventually fell to Harrison attempting to counter-attack.
| Player | Figures / Score |
|---|---|
| Ben Charlesworth (Gloucestershire) | 68 (38) |
| Ben Sanderson (Northamptonshire) | 4 for 20 |
| Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire) | 2 for 23 |
| David Willey (Northamptonshire) | 47 not out |
What this means for Gloucestershire
The defeat ends Gloucestershire’s hopes of retaining the Blast trophy they won in 2024. Their quarter-final exit will prompt reflection on inconsistent batting contributions beyond Charlesworth and the effectiveness of their bowling attack on the day. Northamptonshire, by contrast, move on to Finals Day for the second year running.
Players mentioned in the contest included D'Arcy Short, Graeme van Buuren, Chris Lynn, Duan Jansen, Ricardo Vasconcelos, Jack Taylor, Ben Sanderson, Calvin Harrison, Dawid Malan, George Scrimshaw, James Sales, Kamran Dhariwal and Miles Hammond.
For Gloucestershire supporters, the match offered bright moments — notably Charlesworth’s career-best — but ultimately delivered the disappointment of an early knockout and an end to another summer run in the competition.
