In a dramatic semi‑final that will be remembered for years to come, Middlesex produced an extraordinary comeback to deny Durham and England all‑rounder Ben Stokes a place in the 2026 Metro Bank One‑Day Cup final. The match, played under the bright lights of a packed ground, saw Middlesex chase down a daunting target of 255 runs, securing their first appearance in a List‑A final in 36 years. The early stages of the game looked bleak for the Middlesex side. After 30 overs they were precariously placed at 145 for 7, having lost wickets at regular intervals while the Durham bowlers, led by the incisive spell of Colin Ackermann (3 for 46), kept the pressure on.
It seemed almost certain that Durham would cruise into the final, especially after their captain, Ben Stokes, had set a respectable total of 254 for 7 when his team elected to bat first. Stokes himself contributed a modest six runs, a surprisingly low score for a player of his calibre, and his impact with the ball was limited to 1 for 40 in nine overs, taking only the wicket of Joshua de Caires, the son of former England great Michael Atherton.
The turning point arrived when Luke Hollman, the Middlesex all‑rounder, walked to the crease and began to rewrite the narrative. Hollman, who had already shown his versatility with the ball by claiming three wickets for 53 runs with his leg spin, now turned his attention to the bat. He forged a crucial partnership of 79 runs for the eighth wicket with Tom Helm, who added a valuable 40 runs of his own.
This stand steadied the innings and shifted momentum back towards Middlesex. As the overs ticked down, Hollman continued to dominate, eventually reaching an unbeaten 83. His innings was a masterclass in composure and aggression, as he methodically accumulated runs while keeping the required run‑rate within reach. The final 31 runs needed to win were secured with just eight balls remaining, thanks in part to a brief cameo by Noah Cornwell, who contributed a single run but stayed at the crease to see the chase through.
Durham’s bowlers, despite a spirited effort from Zafar Gohar (2 for 39, including the prized wicket of Stokes) and Naavya Sharma (2 for 40), could not stem the flow of runs once Hollman and Helm had settled. The visitors’ earlier success, highlighted by Will Rhodes’ solid 80 and Ackermann’s unbeaten 71, was ultimately undone by Middlesex’s resilience. The victory not only propelled Middlesex into the final but also marked a historic moment for the club.
It was their first List‑A final appearance since 1990, ending a 36‑year drought and reigniting hopes among their supporters. The team will now face Leicestershire in the championship match scheduled for Sunday, September 20, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Leicestershire earned their spot in the final by defending a total of 304 runs and defeating the Notts Outlaws by 23 runs in the other semi‑final. Their campaign was highlighted by a blistering century from Hamza Shaikh, a former England U19 captain, who smashed 104 off 109 balls – his second hundred of the tournament. Shaikh’s innings was supported by a steady 53 from Nick Kelly, and together they built a 117‑run partnership for the fourth wicket. On the bowling side, Dillon Pennington claimed three wickets for 65 runs, while 19‑year‑old Alex Green delivered a match‑winning spell of 4 for 40, helping Leicestershire restrict the Outlaws to 280.
Notts Outlaws, despite a valiant effort from Freddie McCann (64) and Haseeb Hameed (54), fell short. Their innings lacked a substantial partnership that could have turned the tide, and a crucial run‑out of McCann proved to be a defining moment in their defeat. Looking ahead, Middlesex will need to maintain the high standards set by Hollman’s all‑round performance if they hope to clinch the title.
Their bowlers, especially Hollman, who demonstrated both wicket‑taking ability and batting prowess, will be pivotal. Meanwhile, Durham will have to reflect on missed opportunities, particularly Stokes’ limited contribution, and consider how to better support their star players in future knockout games. Fans can follow the final live on Sky Sports, and updates will be available through the network’s WhatsApp service. For those who prefer streaming without a contract, options are also provided by Sky Sports.
The excitement builds as the two teams prepare for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Metro Bank One‑Day Cup.