Finals Day record: Winners – 2013 and 2016

2026 top run-scorer: Chris Lynn – 475

2026 top wicket-taker: James Sales – 21

Group record: Nine wins, three defeats – 1st in Central & West Group

Unlike their Central & West Group rivals Somerset, Northants’ involvement in the knockout stage was never really in doubt, posting the best record of any side in the group stage.

They won their opening eight fixtures, posting two of the highest 10 totals in the competition this year, but came unstuck twice in the space of three games against Somerset, losing by 105 runs at home and then by seven wickets with 30 balls remaining on the trip to Taunton five days later, which will be food for thought before their rematch in Saturday’s semi-final at 11:00 BST.

The Steelbacks got there with relative ease after Wednesday’s convincing win against Gloucestershire in the quarter-finals.

The visitors were in trouble at 20-3 but dragged themselves to 103-4 in the 12th over before being bowled out for a modest 152, with the ever-reliable Ben Sanderson the pick of the bowlers with 4-20 and Calvin Harrison weighing in with 2-23.

Northants knocked off the target of 153 with consummate ease. David Willey top-scored with an unbeaten 47, while Ricardo Vasconcelos (42) and Nathan McSweeney (28) also contributed valuable runs.

There was concern for veteran Australian opening bat Chris Lynn, Northants’ leading scorer in the competition, who retired hurt on 18 after being struck on the toe by Duan Jansen.

Northants have reached Finals Day for the sixth time and the second consecutive season. The last time they did that in 2016 they won the second of their two titles, three years after their first.

Should they make it past Somerset they will potentially have an eye on avenging last year’s semi-final defeat by Hampshire Hawks in the showpiece at 18:45.

Head coach Darren Lehmann said: “We’ve got some quality players in our side, they’ve worked really hard in the group stages and now it’s a case of going to play.

“We have the advantage of playing last year and knowing what it’s all about. We have to stay in the moment and not look too far ahead otherwise it comes back to bite you.”