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The knock-out cups started in 1963 but not only did Hampshire have to wait 25 years for a Final appearance – longer than any other county – they also had to wait 13 years before they got lucky with a home Semi-Final although the luck didn’t hold as they lost on the penultimate ball to Northants by two wickets.
The full list of HOME Semi-Finals, with winning matches in Bold is:
Northants (1976); Gloucestershire (1977); Essex (1985); Middlesex (1989); Northants (1990); Somerset (1992); Lancashire (1998); Yorkshire (2005); Warwickshire (2007); Glamorgan (2013); Yorkshire (2018); Lancashire (2019);
Which makes next Tuesday’s Home Semi-Final number 13.
The only one of those I didn’t see was Middlesex in 1989 because I was abroad on holiday – and probably had to wait a day or two for the English paper to get the result – and I’ve seen other semi-finals away at Chelmsford, Edgbaston, Hove and Worcester.
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Hampshire Cricket History 
I wonder what sort of pitch we will be getting? Rain has finally made an appearance so possibly a slow pitch for the semi? Another slow bowler may be required I think. Who is in the running should that be the case? (I do not think Gubbins is the answer).
Comment by Bill Seager August 26, 2022 @ 7:14 amThey did use Prest once – and he took an expensive wicket – but I don’t think there is anyone else (apart from Organ who has a good economy rate). I’d hope they will keep the same side but given the amount of cricket (Hundred, internationals etc) it will probably be a used pitch.
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 8:15 amWere you at Canterbury in 1983?
Comment by vern1970 August 26, 2022 @ 7:16 amI wasn’t Vern – thankfully – bad day at the crease after bowling them out cheaply. Pretty sure it was on TV
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 8:13 amI was Vern, I remember it well. A Kent fan travelled with us and we had to put up with him singing all the way home.
Comment by Tigger Miles August 26, 2022 @ 8:20 amIt’s will be the 23rd semi so we’ve had more home than away. I’ve seen 20 of the previous 22 and will be there on Tuesday. I’ve also been to most of the quarters.
Comment by Tigger Miles August 26, 2022 @ 8:19 amSo many of these semi-finals have a side story too – 1977 was the Mike Procter hat-trick of Richards/Jesty/Rice, 1985 was the Robin Smith run out of Graham Gooch which was not given even though Gooch was at least a yard short, Gooch ended up 93 not out, 1989 Angus Fraser bowled a beamer at Chris Smith which broke Smith’s finger, Smith was 114 not out and a couple of balls later he was caught, we ended up losing by 3 runs then in 1989 it was even closer when PJ Bakker needed 2 off the final ball to win it but could only manage 1 run.
Comment by vern1970 August 26, 2022 @ 8:38 amIn 1985 the quarter final at Taunton there was ‘SUN STOP PLAY’, Botham complained to the umpires that the sun was reflecting into his eyes from a distant window.
Good recollections Vern – thanks. I recall too a distraught Malcolm Marshall against Northants not collecting his M-of-M award after that PJ Bakker single. Fortunately in 1992 he got his Final at last but you could pick a fantastic Hampshire side from players since 1963 who never got to Lord’s.
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 9:20 amThere was also the time when Mark Nicholas ran onto the pitch when I think it was Paul Terry was run out after being impeded by a fielder. Although, that may have been a quarter final, my memory isn’t that good
Comment by Tigger Miles August 26, 2022 @ 11:57 amThe match when Paul Terry was ran out impeded by a fielder and Mark Nicholas came out to talk to the umpires and the opposing captain was I’m sure against Somerset and the captain was Peter Roebuck. Can’t remember the year. ***
Comment by vern1970 August 26, 2022 @ 12:06 pmThe first SF win at Chelmsford came after a delayed re-start on the second day with not more than 100 people inside the ground. What could possibly go wrong this time after such serene progress on the first day…the scorecard doesn’t reflect it but a Robin Smith mis-cue which sailed over the slips was a big moment!
Comment by stephenfh August 26, 2022 @ 8:51 amI saw only day one of that game – work called me back – but I remember that when play halted for the day we were on course for a win but behind on run-rate, knowing we had to play more to win a semi-final for the first time. As we all know now, we did.
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 9:16 am*** Ref that discussion by Vern/Tigger – I thought it was Somerset but checking the scores I think it must have been v Notts, quarter-final, 1991 (Southampton). I think Mark writes about it in his book(?)
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 12:52 pmThanks Dave, I remember the fielder totally got in Paul Terry’s way. So it was Tim Robinson that Mark Nicholas was talking to!
Comment by vern1970 August 26, 2022 @ 1:10 pmNottinghamshire are the only first class county we have never played in a one-day semi-final or final!
That’s a good spot Vern – looks distinctly possible too.
Comment by Dave Allen August 26, 2022 @ 4:13 pm