LONDON — The T20 Blast quarter-final lineup is now complete after Birmingham Bears, Durham, Kent, and Hampshire secured their spots in the knockout stages with thrilling performances in the final group matches. The four teams join Nottinghamshire Outlaws, Somerset, Surrey, and Essex Eagles in the last eight, setting up an exciting climax to England’s premier domestic T20 competition.
Birmingham Bears Dominate North Group
The Birmingham Bears confirmed their place as North Group winners with a commanding 28-run victory over Derbyshire Falcons. A blistering 89 off just 49 balls from opener Rob Yates set the tone, while spinner Danny Briggs claimed 3-20 to dismantle Derbyshire’s chase. "We knew we had to be aggressive, and Rob’s innings was exactly what we needed," said Bears captain Alex Davies.
Key highlights from the Bears’ campaign:
- Unbeaten run in their last five matches
- Highest team total of the group stage (228/4 vs. Lancashire)
- Spin duo Briggs and Jake Lintott combining for 25 wickets
Durham Edge Tense Finish Against Yorkshire
Durham clinched their quarter-final berth with a nail-biting four-run win over Yorkshire Vikings. Ashton Turner’s 44* off 22 balls proved decisive, while Ben Raine’s final-over heroics (2-28) sealed the deal. "It was a proper scrap, but the lads held their nerve when it mattered," said Durham head coach Ryan Campbell.
Durham’s success was built on:
- Power-hitting from Graham Clark (398 runs at 145+ strike rate)
- Nathan Sowter’s economical spin (economy rate of 6.8)
- Three wins in must-win final fixtures
Kent Spinners Shine in South Group Decider
Kent secured their progression with a 16-run victory over Sussex Sharks, thanks to a masterclass from spinners Matt Parkinson (3-19) and Hamidullah Qadri (2-22). Daniel Bell-Drummond’s 68 laid the foundation, earning praise from coach Matt Walker: "Our spinners controlled the middle overs perfectly—that was the difference."
Kent’s key strengths:
- Best bowling attack in the South Group (45 wickets taken)
- Joe Denly’s consistency (412 runs, avg. 41.2)
- Four consecutive wins to close the group stage
Hampshire Hold Nerve in Rain-Affected Clash
Hampshire booked their place via a tense DLS-adjusted win over Gloucestershire, with James Vince’s 51* steering them to a revised target. Fast bowler John Turner’s 3-23 earlier restricted Gloucestershire to 154/8. "We’ve been in these situations before, and the experience paid off," said Vince.
Hampshire’s campaign highlights:
- Vince leading from the front (487 runs, 2nd in South Group)
- Chris Wood’s death bowling (9 wickets at 7.2 economy)
- Three wins in final four matches under pressure
Quarter-Final Fixtures Confirmed
The knockout stage begins on July 6, with the following matchups:
- Nottinghamshire Outlaws vs. Hampshire
- Somerset vs. Kent
- Surrey vs. Durham
- Essex Eagles vs. Birmingham Bears
Sky Sports pundit Nasser Hussain summed up the excitement: "This is the strongest quarter-final lineup in years—every team has match-winners, and it’s anyone’s trophy now."
With four group winners (Bears, Outlaws, Somerset, Surrey) facing the best qualifiers, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 T20 Blast. The finals day is scheduled for July 13 at Edgbaston, where the remaining teams will battle for domestic T20 glory.