The T20 Blast quarter-final line-up is confirmed after the final group-stage matches, with Somerset and Surrey securing top spots and home advantage. Defending champions Somerset will host Lancashire at Taunton, while Surrey welcome Essex to the Oval. The other two ties see Northamptonshire travel to Birmingham to face Warwickshire, and Kent host Gloucestershire at Canterbury.
Group Winners and Home Ties
Somerset topped the South Group with 18 points from 14 matches, winning nine and losing four. Surrey finished second in the same group with 16 points, also progressing automatically. In the North Group, Warwickshire claimed first place with 16 points, ahead of Lancashire on net run rate after both finished with 15 points. The quarter-finals are scheduled for July 18-19, with the semi-finals and final at Edgbaston on July 25-26.
Key Performances and Final Group Matches
The final round of group games saw several standout performances. Somerset's Tom Banton scored 89 off 48 balls in a nine-wicket win over Glamorgan, while Surrey's Will Jacks hit 76 off 38 in a victory against Hampshire. Warwickshire secured their top spot with a five-wicket win over Leicestershire, powered by Sam Hain's 67 not out. Lancashire's Liam Livingstone smashed 92 off 51 in a losing cause against Yorkshire, but his team still qualified.
According to ECB officials, the attendance across the group stage exceeded 1.2 million, up 15% from last year, reflecting the growing popularity of the domestic T20 competition.
Quarter-Final Fixtures
- Warwickshire vs Northamptonshire (Edgbaston, July 18)
- Somerset vs Lancashire (Taunton, July 18)
- Surrey vs Essex (The Oval, July 19)
- Kent vs Gloucestershire (Canterbury, July 19)
All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The winners advance to Finals Day at Edgbaston, where the champion will be crowned on July 26.
