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An all-southern T20 Finals Day lineup at Edgbaston includes Kent, Sussex, Somerset, and Sussex
Vitality T20 Blass Finals Day 2021 Location: Edgbaston. Date: Saturday, August 18th (reserve Day Sunday, September 19th). Coverage: Live radio commentary via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. Text commentary plus video highlights on the BBC Sport app.
After a summer full of domestic cricket competitions, it is time for the T20 Blast Finals Day to return to Edgbaston.
A line-up of competitors includes the Hampshire Hawks and Sussex Sharks as well as Somerset and Kent Spitfires. This is the first competition in which all of them are from south of the second largest city.
Although all four countries have won the trophy at least once, some of them last made it to Finals Day more than a decade before.
Hampshire is the latest winner of the four. However, their last victory came back in 2012.
James Vince's side will face Somerset 2005 winners in the first semi-final. This is a repeat of 2010's nail-biting final, which saw the scores tied and Hampshire winning because it lost fewer wickets (superovers were not available at that time). Sussex and Kent will be competing in the second.
Form horses go head-to-head
Hampshire Hawks vs Somerset (11:00 BST).
Hampshire arrives at Finals Day after having made a late run in qualifying from the South Group. They won their last five matches, then held their nerve to beat holders Notts Outlaws by two runs.
Hampshire is also top of the County Championship Division One standings going into their final match against Lancashire on Tuesday. This could be a huge week for them.
Hampshire will attend Finals Day for only the second time since 2017.
Vince arrives at Edgbaston also in great form this season. He scored 371 runs at an average of 138.43, and has already won one domestic white-ball trophy as the captain of Southern Brave in this year's men's Hundred.
They beat Notts with their canny team of bowlers. Brad Wheal and Chris Wood, as well as the twin-spin threat Liam Dawson, Mason Crane and Mason Crane could play important roles again.
Slow left-armer Dawson said that "we've got on quite a roll since we were halfway through the group stage," BBC Radio Solent.
"We will be underdogs in Finals Day. Somerset is a very strong side. However, we have shown this season many times that we are capable of winning matches from any position.
"We can look back on those experiences, and hopefully they will serve us well."
The Blast saw Somerset reach the final four. They won their third consecutive match, beating Lancashire Lightning by seven wickets. This was thanks to Tom Abell's unbeaten 78.
Abell is not the only star in their top order. Will Smeed, Tom Lammonby, Tom Banton, and Tom Lammonby are also among the stars.
Roelof van der Merwe took 4-27 in Somerset's quarter-final win against Lancashire Lightning
Marchant de Lange has a game-changing speed with the ball, while Roelof Van der Merwe, a veteran spinner, is known for his ability to produce match-winning spells.
Lewis Gregory, white-ball captain, is currently unable to bowl. However, he will be leading the side. Craig Overton will also return from England Test duty.
Andy Hurry, director of cricket, is positive that his players will be mentally prepared for Saturday, despite having seen their County Championship hopes shattered by three heavy defeats in recent weeks.
He stated that "Representing Somerset at Finals Day will not require much motivation", BBC Radio Somerset.
"Everybody will be up for it, and we've played some outstanding cricket to get there. It will lift the mood because there will be new faces in the changing room.
Will the sharks' attack be more successful?
Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires (14:30 BST)
The second semi-final will be a replay of the nervy and intense affair that took place on the same ground in 2007.
Kent won a see-saw battle on that occasion, before beating the Gloucestershire Gladiators to reach the final. However, it would be difficult to choose a pre-match favorite.
Even without Rashid Khan, the quarter-final match-winner with bat and Afghanistan leg-spinner, Sussex has the most dangerous and exciting bowling unit among the four finalists.
George Garton and Tymal Mills and Chris Jordan, as well as Ollie Robinson, will be major threats.
Garton, an IPL-bound left-armer, stated that "We aim to Finals Day every single year." "With the squad that we have, we feel that we should be there every season. But after a few years, we are all raring for action."
George Garton will fly to the UAE to join Royal Challengers Bangalore for the Indian Premier League.
Garton, 24 was another stellar performer for Southern Brave during the men's Hundred this Summer. He would have likely made his England limited overs debut if Covid-19 cases hadn't forced him out of the original squad for the Pakistan series in July.
He said that there have been many ups and downs in the past year. "But I'm in an excellent place mentally and physically, and I look forward to the next few weeks.
"I have learned a lot from Tymal Mills and Chris Jordan. How to play in powerplays and field settings. Also, how to know when and where you might have wicket-taking opportunities.
"James Kirtley, the head coach, has been a great help this season. He brought in more data and analysis on match-ups and when to be more flexible with batting lineups.
Kent arrives at Edgbaston also with a formidable bowling line-up.
New Zealand seamer Adam Milne, and Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmed were their standout performers in quarter-final and group stage. They also teamed up with seamers Matt Milnes (Seamen) and Freddie Klaassen (Seamen).
Add in Jack Leaning's part-time spin opportunities and you have a team that can handle all weathers and surfaces.
Their batting also has some power.
Kent Spitfires will make their first Finals Day appearances since 2009.
England pair Zak Crrawley and Sam Billings, as well as opener Daniel Bell Drummond and Denly, are complemented by big-hitting Alex Blake or Jordan Cox.
Cox stated that it was "hugely exciting" to have the opportunity to play in front a crowd of 20,000 people on Saturday night. This is something Cox did not get to experience with the domestic game.
"We have been working hard over the past couple of years to achieve this goal, so we are hopeful that it will be achieved on the day.
"We won't shy away from the big stage. So we plan to go out there giving it our all."
Saturday's fixtures
Semi-finals
Hampshire Hawks vs Somerset (11:00 BST).
Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires (14:30 BST)
Final:
TBC v TBC (18:45 BST)
