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Birmingham Bears win thrilling T20 final

Birmingham Bears beat Lancashire Lightning by four runs in a thrilling T20 Blast final at Edgbaston.

Birmingham Bears have defeated Lancashire Lightning by four runs to win their first T20 Blast title in a thrilling final at Edgbaston.

Boyd Franklin of Birmingham Bears celebrates the wicket of Ashwell Prince Lancashire Lightning during the Natwest T20 Blast Final match between Birmingham Bears and Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston on August 23, 2014© Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff took the wicket of Ian Bell with his very first ball, before Varun Chopra was sent packing with the score at 64-2.

Birmingham struggled to get things moving with William Porterfield next to go for 31, while Rikki Clarke's evening was also soon over.

Laurie Evans's racked up an innings-high score of 53 runs, signalling the end of the Bears batting with a score of 181-5.

Tom Smith and Ashwell Prince were sent packing at 62-2 as Lancashire began their stint at the crease.

A stuttering Usman Khawaja was not too far behind, caught out by Evans, who had moments earlier agonisingly dropped Karl Brown.

Andrew Flintoff of Lancashire celebrates with Ashwell Prince and Paul Horton after dismissing Ian Bell of Birmingham Bears during the Natwest T20 Blast final between Lancashire Lighting and Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston on August 23, 2014© Getty Images

Lancashire's chances took a huge blow when England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler was sent back to the pavilion at 102-4, and Birmingham could taste victory when Steven Croft followed after raking up just six runs.

Paul Horton, Brown and Jordan Clark tried to arrest the slump, but it was to no avail as they were all soon dismissed.

Flintoff almost became the hero as he took the Lightning close to their target, but Lancashire fell short four runs short to ensure that Birmingham secured victory on their home ground.

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Lancashire celebrate winning the Natwest T20 Blast match between Durham Jets and Lancashire Lighting at The Riverside on May 29, 2014
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