20 Years Of T20: Weatherley's High Pressure Counter-Attack

With this year's Vitality Blast campaign just around the corner - and to mark the 20th edition of the competition being staged this summer - we've taken a trip down memory lane, looking back at some of the most memorable performances from the past 19 seasons. Next up is Joe Weatherley's semi-final knock from 2021

Hampshire have made it to Finals Day more than any other side in the T20 Blast, but have had to wait a decade since they last lifted the T20 trophy.

A Semi-Final against Somerset raised the curtain on a thrilling Finals Day, although it was bittersweet for Joe Weatherley, as Hampshire succumbed to a narrow defeat in the final over of the match.

Weatherley walked out at Edgbaston with the score on 8-2 after both Toby Albert and James Vince had been sent back to the pavilion caught behind.

Unable to form any sort of partnership with batters coming and going at the other end, Weatherley set about taking on the Somerset attack practically single-handed.

He utilised his iconic slog sweep, with Craig Overton being the first victim, and Marchant de Lange’s pace wasn’t enough either, as Weatherley sent two 90mph rockets into the Hollies Stand.

He ended up with five sixes in total, along with two fours, but it wasn’t just the explosiveness of his innings that caught people’s eye.

On the final ball of the powerplay, Weatherley was caught but noticed that Somerset had three players outside the 30-yard circle, so remained at the crease.

He responded by smacking Josh Davey’s free hit down the ground for his third six of the innings, having spent less than four overs at the crease.

Tickets and 7-match passports are now on sale at the Advance rate. Early Bird discounted tickets and passports were available until 11:59pm on Monday 9th May.

A Vitality Blast Passport gives you access to all seven of Hampshire Hawks’ home matches at The Ageas Bowl this year, including the huge Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend 'el clasicoast' clash against local-rivals Sussex Sharks.

To purchase individual match tickets or a Vitality Blast Passport simply follow the link below.

Hampshire Hawks have also announced a brand-new type of ticket for this summer’s T20 matches at The Ageas Bowl, the Vitality Blast Plus ticket, which offers an upgrade on general admission tickets with premium reserved seating and access to a private, pitch-facing lounge and bar.

A limited-number of these new Plus tickets are available for each of Hampshire Hawks’ seven Vitality Blast matches at The Ageas Bowl this summer and they are on general sale now.

What’s more, a new, free rail shuttle bus provision is on offer for fans travelling to and from The Ageas Bowl for Vitality Blast fixtures this summer – with Hawks supporters able to make use of free buses from Southampton Airport Parkway and Hedge End railway stations before, during and after each of this summer’s T20 matches.