With a combination of a James Vince maiden 20-over ton and fading light in Worcestershire, Hampshire County Cricket Club booked their place in a record sixth straight finals day, with the record dating back to 2010, the year they also recorded their first victory of the, at the time, newly named ‘Friends Life T20 Cup’.
Ever since that dramatic last ball scamper in 2010, Hampshire have prided themselves on being a formidable force in the shortest form of the game, using a combination of seasoned veterans, sewed in with fearless youth and highly talented international overseas to create a team that each knows their roles and how they are going to play their part in the tournament. Back in 2010 the known-names of Vince, Briggs and Wood were all youngsters finding their way in the game, whilst veterans such as Dominic Cork and Neil Mackenzie accompanied overseas Abdul Razzaq and Dan Christian in a season in which Hampshire were the underdogs from beginning to end.
Skip ahead to 2012 and Hampshire found themselves in another T20 final, this time against the Yorkshire Carnegie in Cardiff. Many thought without home advantage at finals day Hampshire wouldn’t be able to claim a second title, but with the same combination of types of players they were able to defend a mediocre 150-6, on a pitch which proved harder than first thought to play on. Cork was gone, but that didn’t stop other veterans in Mascarenhas, Ervine and Adams all stepping up and playing their part and with the overseas signing of Simon Katich to boost the middle order, combined with the three young guns, who weren’t so wet behind the ears anymore, the Hampshire Royals became only the second team to win more than one T20 title in England.
And with another two more semi-final appearances between then and now Hampshire do not lack any sort of experience when it comes to the biggest stage of the shortest form. 2015 has shown how Hampshire can bounce back from defeats and invest wisely in players who continue to fit he quota they are searching for. James Vince leads the team now with Michael Carberry, Owais Shah and Will Smith as his experienced players. Wood and Briggs both are renowned for the speciality in T20 and the overseas signings of two quick bowlers, Jackson Bird (Australia) and Fidel Edwards (West Indies) have given the bowling department more reinforcement as well as an injection of pace and venom. The biggest surprise for all at Hampshire this year is young leg-spinner Mason Crane who has pushed himself into a spot, not only on the coach for finals day, but with the more-than-likely potential for him to big picked alongside Briggs and Dawson as a third spinner, especially if the pitch is seen to be turning.
Regardless of who has been playing for Hampshire at the time, the team has always been built around the already mentioned formula of; Veteran Cornerstones, Courageous Youngsters and Wildly Talented Overseas Players. Many teams have tried this formula, but not got one or two of the pieces right, but when done correctly and made consistent, this formula (as shown by Hampshire in previous years) can be the key to winning T20 titles. And with arguably four of the best counties at finals day this year, who will strike lucky and be victorious is anyone’s guess.
