Vasconcelos has looked in great form throughout the T20 campaign, but prior to the final had failed to pass 50 in his 14 innings, despite making several excellent contributions and racking up more than 350 runs.

But handed the chance to excel on the big stage, the left-hander did just that, playing glorious shots on his may to what proved to be a match-winning 88 from just 59 balls, hitting 11 fours and two driven sixes.

Vasconcelos's knock was the bedrock of the Steelbacks' 169 all out, with Nathan McSweeney's 30 from 16 balls the next best effort, and that total proved too many for Hampshire to chase as they were bowled out for 155.

It was a very timely first half-century of the competition for the South African-born player, and Willey was delighted to see Vasconcelos go on and get a big one.

"About time, eh?'," joked the captain when asked about the innings.

"Lynny (Chris Lynn) and I were saying, is there any chance of this bloke getting us a score and winning us a game? And there we go.

"There is no better time for him to do it than in the final, and I am so pleased for him.

"He has probably been frustrated at times where he has got great starts and not been able to kick on.

"But to kick on in the final and play the way he did was great.

"He built a couple of partnerships, with Buddah (McSweeney) and Lewis (McManus), and they were key to getting us up to where we got to, so I am really pleased for him."

The Steelbacks bowlers ensured Vasconcelos's efforts did not go to waste as they kept things disciplined throughout the Hawks' chase, with the south coast side eventually succumbing with four balls to spare, having lost their last four wickets in the space of five balls!

The Blast win was a third for the Steelbacks in total, and a second for Willey.

He was man of the match when Northants beat Surrey to secure their first title in 2013, but had moved on to Yorkshire by the time Alex Wakely led the Steelbacks to victory over Durham to seal a second title in 2016.

So, how did winning in 2026 compare to that first success all those years ago?

"In the final 13 years ago I was just a young lad, so you are just riding the wave," said Willey, who is now 36.

"This year, I have had a lot more on my shoulders with being captain and stuff, and there was a moment in the semi-final, Lewis's catch (one-handed diving to his right to dismiss the dangerous Will Smeed for 49).

"That just reminded me so much of David Murphy's catch in 2013, and I didn't want to say it to anyone, but in my head I thought 'this is our day'. It is just so good."