Lehmann says Steelbacks have 'plans in place' to surprise holders Somerset at Finals Day

Northants are off to a second successive Finals Day and take on the west country side in the first last four clash (start 11am).

The Steelbacks are targeting a place in the final against either Hampshire Hawks or Notts Outlaws later in the day, as well as a bit of revenge over the Cidermen.

That's because the Steelbacks were well beaten in their two Central & West Group meetings earlier this month.

Northants may have topped the group at a canter, winning nine of their 12 encounters, but two of their three defeats were against Somerset, being hammered by 105 runs at Wantage Road before losing by seven wickets at Taunton in the return a week later.

A win for the Steelbacks in either of those games would have ended reigning champions Somerset's interest in the competition, but as it was they won five of their last six games to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The west country side then produced a remarkable comeback to see off Yorkshire at Headingley in the last eight, with Craig Overton lashing 79 not out from just 30 balls to lift his side from a precarious 82 for eight and past the home side's 161 for nine with two wickets and one ball to spare.

That ensured Somerset, who also beat the Steelbacks in a 2024 quarter-final at Wantage Road, qualified for a remarkable sixth Finals Day in a row.

They won the title last year and in 2023, and will be in confident mood going into the semi-final with the Steelbacks thanks to those two recent wins.

Asked if the Steelbacks were overdue a win against Somerset, Lehmann declared: "You would like to think so, wouldn't you?

"They got across the line against Yorkshire, and they have won it a couple of times now.

"They probably didn't deserve to win their quarter-final, but they did, they got across the line and that's the sign of a good side.

"We will have some different plans in place for them, and we are ready to go."

Northants booked their place at Finals Day with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Gloucestershire in their last eight clash.

The match was brought forward to avoid a clash with England's World Cup semi-final showdown with Argentina, but the T20 clash was still played out in front of only a half-full cinch County Ground.

Those that were there gave their team good backing though, and Lehmann was thankful for that.

"The crowd were fantastic," said Lehmann. "England were playing in the World Cup, we understand that, and the country was right behind the football team.

"We are just happy that we got a good crowd in.

"We would have loved a packed house, but I am sure we will get great support on Finals Day."