Summary

  • Worcestershire Rapids beat Sussex by five wickets to win first T20 title

  • Moeen Ali made 41, Ben Cox 46 not out as Worcestershire chased 158

  • Sussex Sharks made 157-6 from their 20 overs against Worcestershire

  • Rapids captain Moeen took 3-30 from his four overs

  • Laurie Evans made 52 off 44 balls for Sussex, passes 600 T20 runs in 2018

  • Sussex beat Somerset by 35 runs in second semi-final

  • Earlier Worcestershire beat Lancashire by 20 runs to reach first T20 Blast final

  1. get involved

    Who takes the trophy tonight?published at 18:38 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Tweet via #bbccricket

    Join in the conversation throughout this T20 Blast Final and tell us who you think will play a key role.

    Tweet using #bbccricket and we'll share as many as we can during the game.

  2. Watch: How Worcestershire reached the finalpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire beat Lancashire by 20 runs

    If you missed the action in the first semi-final, relive the best bits in our highlights package below as Worcestershire booked a place in the T20 Final for the first time...

    'Stunning' Brown over seals win for Worcestershire

    Worcestershire Rapids progressed to the final of the T20 Vitality Blast series after beating Lancashire by 20 runs after a stunning over from Pat Brown where he took three of his four wickets

    Read More
  3. Jordan confident Sharks will win againpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    Sussex all-rounder Chris Jordan spoke after his side's semi-final victory against Somerset.

    He told BBC Sussex how confident the team are they can go all the way...

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  4. 'Pressure on Evans and Wright'published at 18:31 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    Steven Mullaney
    Nottinghamshire captain on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

    When you reach a final it's all about doing what you've done all tournament, it's another game of cricket all being a bit different playing back-to-back games, but I think there's two worthy sides in the final.

    It's an important toss and I think Sussex have done right batting first. But I do think there is pressure on Laurie Evans and Luke Wright once again.

    I think we're in for a great spectacle.

  5. Limited overs honourspublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Sussex

    Gillette/NatWest/C&G Trophy: 1963, 1964, 1978, 1986, 2006.

    Pro 40/National League: 2008, 2009

    Sunday League: 1982

    Twenty20 Cup: 2009

    Worcestershire

    NatWest Trophy: 1994

    B&H Cup: 1991

    Pro 40/National League: 2007

    Sunday League: 1971, 1987, 1988.

  6. Wright: Runs on the board are keypublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    Luke Wright and Jason GillespieImage source, Getty Images

    Sussex captain Luke Wright on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra:

    "Dizzy (coach Jason Gillespie) is a typical Australian, he always says runs on the board are key in a final.

    "So, we'll go again first up and hope to make a similar start to how we did in the semi-final.

    "We'll need a decent total again where it might sneak on under the lights.

    "As long as we win, I don't care if I score nought or 100!"

  7. Moeen: "I would've bowled first"published at 18:24 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    Worcestershire captain Moeen Ali on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra:

    "I wasn't sure what I was going to do. If I'd have won the toss, I would've bowled first.

    "They'll have to play well, so we'll go again. We chilled out between the first game and some of the guys watched the second semi-final, so we're relaxed and we're ready.

    "The guys are in good form and we're ready to play."

  8. We meet again (finally!)published at 18:23 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at Edgbaston

    There's something highly appropriate that it will be Sussex who will provide Worcestershire's first opposition in a T20 final.

    When one-day cricket began at county level in England 55 years ago, it was Worcestershire and Sussex who met in the very first 1963 final.

    Much has changed in the game, though.

    That day, in a match of 65 overs per side, the Pears failed to chase 168 to win at Lord's, losing by 14 runs.

    Bet it's a faster scoring rate than that tonight!

  9. Teams and tosspublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire v Sussex - match starts 18:45 BST

    Sussex win the toss and Luke Wright opts to bat first again, as they did in their semi-final victory over Somerset. It's also the 300th T20 match of his career.

    Worcestershire skipper Moeen Ali insists he wanted to lose the toss so his side could bowl first.

    Both teams are unchanged.

    Sussex: Salt, Wright (c), Evans, Rawlins, Wiese, Burgess, Archer, Jordan, Beer, Briggs, Mills.

    Worcestershire: Moeen (c), Clarke, Fell, D'Oliveira, Cox, Whiteley, Barnard, Parnell, Mitchell, Wood, Brown.

  10. The Final countdownpublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks (18:45 BST)

    wallyImage source, Getty Images

    Not had enough cricket for one day?

    Good, because we've got one more match to come and it's set to be a treat for the 2018 T20 Blast Final.

    Worcestershire Rapids face Sussex Sharks.

    Team news and the toss will be on their way shortly, but strap yourselves in for what hopefully will be a treat.

  11. Postpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Right - it's Worcestershire Rapids v Sussex Sharks in the T20 Blast final.

    Will it be Moeen Ali or Luke Wright lifting the trophy this evening?

    We're going to take a short break but we'll be back with you at about 18:15 to let you know what happens at the toss.

    See you then.

    Luke WrightImage source, Rex Features
    Moeen AliImage source, Rex Features
  12. 'It was clinical'published at 17:44 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Sussex Sharks beat Somerset by 35 runs

    Sussex's Laurie Evans on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra:

    Luke Wright was brilliant, we managed to get up to a great score, we've been good all year, it was clinical.

    Our bowlers are probably our strength, myself and Luke have got some runs throughout the campaign, but it was great to give them something to bowl at.

    Our seamers and our spinners have been excellent all year.

  13. 'Wright set us up brilliantly'published at 17:42 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Sussex Sharks beat Somerset by 35 runs

    Sussex's Tymal Mills on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra:

    We're really pleased, Luke Wright set us up brilliantly with one of the better knocks I've seen in this competition.

    We were a little bit sloppy in the middle, though we got off to a flyer we let them get back into it a little bit in the middle overs, but Chris Jordan bowled awesome for myself and Jofra Archer at the back end."

  14. Anderson's power not enoughpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Sussex Sharks beat Somerset by 35 runs

    So, the semi-final against Sussex Sharks was a big disappointment for Somerset - but there were a few big hits to cheer their supporters. Here's one from New Zealander Corey Anderson, whose 48 took his seasonal T20 tally to 514 runs with a strike-rate of 169.

    And his 34 sixes is the highest total in this year's competition.

  15. 'Sussex go into the final with confidence'published at 17:35 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    Jack Shantry
    Ex-Worcestershire all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

    Sussex set a great score in the first innings, Luke Wright showed all his experience, and David Wiese with his half-century, then the seamers as well didn't give Somerset a chance - bowling well in the power play and nailed it at the death. They will go into the final with plenty of confidence.

  16. 'Jordan is a very skilful bowler'published at 17:34 British Summer Time 15 September 2018

    James Anderson
    Lancashire and England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

    I've been a massive fan of Chris Jordan for a longtime. I've played Test matches with him, he's a very skilful bowler - in recent years, certainly on the international scene, he's been more successful with the white ball.

  17. SUSSEX SHARKS BEAT SOMERSET BY 35 RUNSpublished at 20 overs
    Breaking

    Sussex 202-8 v Somerset 167-8

    Somerset pick up three runs down to David Wiese on the third man boundary from the final two deliveries to end what has been a disappointing run chase in the second semi-final.

    Only when Tom Abell and Corey Anderson - who both made 48 - were together did they ever look likely to get anywhere near the Sussex total, which was inspired by a dazzling 92 from skipper Luke Wright.

    So it's the Sharks v the (Worcestershire) Rapids in the final. Who will be lifting the trophy this evening?

  18. wicket

    WICKET J Overton (b Mills) 5published at 19.3 overs

    Somerset 163-8 - target 203

    Jamie Overton has been talked about as a possible for England's Test tour to Sri Lanka. Perhaps the selectors could try ringing him tonight, because he could certainly do with some good news. Straight ball. Swing. Miss. Bye bye, Jamie.

  19. Postpublished at 19 overs

    Somerset 160-7 - target 203

    Jamie Overton conceded 50 from three overs in Sussex's innings. Will that cover drive for four off Jofra Archer make him feel better? Doubt it very much.

    So, 43 needed from the final over for a Somerset win. Unless Sussex are in the mood to serve up about half a dozen no-balls, it's an impossible task.

  20. wicket

    WICKET Gregory (b Jordan) 7published at 18.2 overs

    Somerset 154-7 - target 203

    Lewis Gregory has seven from 13 balls - an indication of how well Sussex are bowling.

    He moves across his stumps to try and flick Chris Jordan away, but it's yorker length and he is bowled.

    The Cider in Taunton is going to taste very bitter this evening.