No-ball drama, early fireworks and controversy in T20 Blast final

Hampshire defeat Lancashire by one run in low-scoring thriller

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Hampshire captain James Vince lifts the Vitality Blast trophy with teammates afterthe Vitality Blast Final match between Lancashire Lightning and Hampshire Hawks at Edgbaston on July 16, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson / Getty Images)

Dane Vilas of Lancashire protests with umpires Graham Lloyd and David Milns after losing the T20 Blast final against Hampshire at Edgbaston. Getty

Nathan Ellis of Hampshire bowled his team to victory after a dramatic final. Getty

Ben Mcdermott of Hampshire removes the stumps at the non-strikers end on the last ball to seal victory. Getty

Richard Gleeson of Lancashire is bowled off the final ball of the game only for it later to be called a no-ball. Getty

Ben McDermott top-scored for Hampshire. Getty

Matthew Parkinson of Lancashire celebrates the wicket of Liam Dawson. Getty

The T20 Blast final between Hampshire and Lancashire at Edgbaston on Saturday turned out to be one of the most dramatic title clashes in recent times.

Hampshire held their nerve to win the T20 title after defeating Lancashire by just one run after a breathless final minutes.

Lancashire needed four runs from the last ball to equal Hampshire's score of 152 - they had lost one less wicket and a tie would have been enough for the win - when Australia pacer Nathan Ellis bowled Richard Gleeson.

As Hampshire began their celebrations, fireworks went off in Birmingham. However, the jubilation was premature as the umpire signalled a no-ball.

That left Lancashire needing three to win off a free hit. Once the emotions and smoke settled down, Ellis bowled again, with Gleeson missing the ball and running a bye as Lancashire finished on 151-8 and one run short.

Even as Gleeson missed the free hit, he and Tom Hartley scampered through for a single and then appeared to complete a second run that would have been enough to level the scores and give victory to Lancashire as their powerplay score was superior, with the sides also tied in losing eight wickets.

While Hampshire were hoovering around stumps during the second set of celebrations, the umpires deemed a dead ball had been called before the second run was completed.

After the match, Dane Vilas questioned why Lancashire were denied the chance to run another bye from the last legitimate delivery of the final.

"We thought the ball was still live," Vilas said. "There was a little bit of confusion out there but the umpires called the ball dead as soon as they took the stumps off at the striker's end.

"Everything was going on out there at that stage and I can't be 100 per cent sure of what was said, exactly, but we thought maybe we could have had a look and seen if there was a review or something.

"But obviously there wasn't and it ended up going Hampshire's way."

Earlier, Ben McDermott - the son of former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott - top-scored with 62 in what seemed to be Hampshire's modest total of 152-8 with Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson picking up 4-26.

In the chase, Steven Croft top-scored with 36 and had useful contributions from the entire top-order but it was not enough.