In a thrilling semi‑final clash that will be remembered for years to come, Middlesex produced an extraordinary comeback to eliminate Durham from the 2026 Metro Bank One‑Day Cup and secure their first appearance in a List‑A final in 36 years. The match, played under the pressure of a knockout format, saw Middlesex recover from a precarious position to clinch a narrow two‑wicket win, while Ben Stokes and his Durham side were left to rue a missed opportunity to reach the championship decider.
The game began with Durham opting to bat first, a decision that initially seemed to pay off. Their openers laid a solid foundation, and the team progressed to a respectable total of 254 for 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
However, the innings was not without its hiccups. Former England captain Ben Stokes contributed only six runs, a modest tally that underscored his limited impact with the bat in this particular encounter.
The bulk of Durham's runs came from a composed 80‑run knock by Will Rhodes and an unbeaten 71 from Colin Ackermann, who also proved to be a potent bowler later on, finishing with figures of 3 for 46. When Durham’s innings concluded, Middlesex faced a target of 255 – a daunting chase that seemed to tilt heavily in Durham’s favour, especially after Middlesex found themselves reeling at 145 for 7 in the 31st over.
At that juncture, the odds of a successful pursuit appeared slim, and many observers expected a comfortable win for Durham. Yet, the tide began to turn when Luke Hollman, the home‑grown all‑rounder, settled in at the crease and launched a masterful unbeaten innings of 83 runs.
Hollman's knock was not merely a display of technical proficiency; it was a display of resilience and determination that galvanized his teammates. A crucial partnership emerged as Hollman joined forces with Tom Helm, who added a quick‑fire 40 runs.
Together, they forged a 79‑run stand for the eighth wicket, stabilising the innings and erasing the deficit. This partnership shifted the momentum, allowing Middlesex to inch closer to the required total. As the overs ticked down, the pressure intensified, but Hollman remained unfazed, methodically accumulating the remaining 31 runs needed for victory. With eight balls left on the clock, he completed the chase, sealing a memorable two‑wicket win for Middlesex.
Hollman's performance was complemented by his contributions with the ball earlier in the match. He delivered three overs of leg‑spin, picking up 3 for 53 and providing vital breakthroughs that kept Durham's scoring in check. Another bowler, Zafar Gohar, claimed two wickets for 39 runs, including the prized wicket of Ben Stokes, while Naavya Sharma also chipped in with figures of 2 for 40. Stokes, in turn, bowled nine overs, conceding 40 runs and taking a solitary wicket – that of Joshua de Caires, the son of former England great Michael Atherton – but his impact with the ball was limited and he could not stem the flow of runs.
The semi‑final victory propelled Middlesex into the final, where they will meet Leicestershire on Sunday, September 20, in a match set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Leicestershire earned their place in the final by defending a total of 304, edging out the Nottinghamshire Outlaws by 23 runs in the other semi‑final. Their campaign featured a scintillating 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 solid 53 from Nick Kelly, and together they forged a 117‑run partnership for the fourth wicket.
On the bowling front, Dillon Pennington took three wickets for 65 runs, while young pace bowler Alex Green delivered a career‑defining spell of 4 for 40, dismantling the opposition. Nottinghamshire's attempt to reach the final on their home ground fell short despite a fighting effort from Freddie McCann, who scored 64, and Haseeb Hameed, who contributed 54.
Their partnership lacked the decisive heft needed to chase down the target, and a crucial run‑out of McCann proved to be a turning point in the match. The semi‑finals have set the stage for an exciting climax to the 2026 Metro Bank One‑Day Cup. Middlesex, buoyed by Hollman's heroics and a collective team effort, will look to cap off a historic season with a trophy, while Leicestershire will aim to translate their strong batting performances into a championship win. Cricket fans can look forward to a high‑stakes final, with both teams eager to write the next chapter in their respective histories.
The match promises to deliver the drama, skill, and competitive spirit that define England's domestic one‑day cricket, and it will be streamed live for a global audience eager to witness who will lift the coveted cup.