Postpublished at 20:46 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Glenn Maxwell
Australia all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Outstanding start from Adam Rossington. But a catch like that can win you a game. Rossington can’t hit that any harder.
Summary
Somerset all out for 145 from final ball of their 20 overs in the final; Sean Dickson top scores with 53
Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi share seven wickets as Somerset bowl out Essex for 131 to win by 14 runs
Essex beat holders Hampshire by five wickets (DLS Method) in first semi-final
Joe Weatherley hits unbeaten 63 to help Hants post 170-7
Essex reach revised 12-over target of 115 after rain, with three balls to spare
Somerset beat Surrey by 24 runs in second semi-final
Surrey limit Somerset to 142-7 but dismissed for 118 in reply
Postpublished at 20:46 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
WICKET Rossington c Aldridge b Henry 19published at 2 overs
Essex 27-1 (target 146)
Adam Rossington smashes one high into the night over mid-wicket, only for the ball to fall safe between three converging fielders. He runs two.
A slice down to third brings Rossington another boundary and he follows it up with a chop to the backward point fence from a perfectly decent yorker.
Three straight fours as a short ball from Matt Henry is pulled down to fine leg but he's gone. Offering a flying catch ro Kasey Aldridge at point. Such quick hands.
19 from nine balls and a perfect start for Essex, but now Rossington has to go,
Michael Pepper is the new man.
Postpublished at 1 over
Essex 13-0 (target 146)
Image source, Getty ImagesAdam Rossington punishes a loose second ball with a slap down the ground for a two-bounce four to long-off.
He then clears mid-wicket for a single before Craig Overton beats the bat, getting one to nip back over the stumps.
Lawrence cracks another four to long-on and then plays inside-out over mid-off to the rope to complete the over, the ball just evading Lewis Gregory's slide.
A productive first over. Matt Henry will bowl the second.
Somerset 'living on a prayer'published at 20:37 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Somerset 145 v Essex
Ged Scott
BBC Sport at EdgbastonWith support from the Hollies, the live band here at Edgbaston have just knocked out a version of 'Living on a Prayer' during the interval.
That surely sums up Somerset's chances here.
To defend a total of 140-something once on Finals Day is one thing.
To do it twice in one day is surely asking for serious spiritual assistance.
Here we go...published at 20:37 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex 0-0 (target 146)
Thanks Alex!
The last time Somerset won the Blast, Tony Blair was Prime Minister, Wedding Crashers was No1 at the box office and James Blunt was top of the charts with You're Beautiful...
Can they somehow defend 145 to celebrate their second title and first since July 2005? Or will Essex be celebrating for the second time in four years?
We're about to find out... Craig Overton takes the opening over with Dan Lawrence and Adam Rossington in the middle.
Essex need 146 to winpublished at 20:33 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex v Somerset 145
From one Alex to another...
Alex Hoad will talk you through the chase.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:33 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Tweet #bbccricket or text 81111 or WhatsApp 03301231826
Image source, Rex FeaturesLooking at the stills, I can see why it was given not out, but it’s one of those that feels harsh on the chap making the catch.
Pete, Colchester via WhatsApp
Sorry but in my opinion any part of the ball touches the ground it's not out. Takes away any controversy. Fingers under the ball. Rubbish.
Neville in Cheddar via WhatsApp
This summer’s catch debates have lost sight of the basics: I don’t care what the laws say about control etc - if the ball touches the grass it should be not out.
Ed (admittedly an England and Somerset fan) via WhatsApp
You wouldn't know this is the T20 Blast final. Never seen a crowd so quiet. Not a good look for the game in this country.
Eddie, Kent via WhatsApp
The debate over the Matt Critchley 'catch' goes on....
'The total is just enough to make it a fight'published at 20:29 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex v Somerset 145
Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraIt's still in the balance - it's a final.
Somerset have just defended a low total. Essex are stacked with power players who want to attack the ball, but if they can get early wickets...
It's not necessarily a losing total. If they bowl well they have a chance. It's just enough to fight.
Postpublished at 20:29 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
There are at least two good reasons for thinking that Somerset are still in this contest....
1. They only scored 142-7 in the semi-final against Surrey and still won by 24 runs
2. They were bowled out for 150 by Essex at Taunton on 4 June and then dismissed them for 139 to win by 11 runs
Essex to chase 146published at 20:28 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex v Somerset 145
That innings never really got going for Somerset and Essex chipped away regularly.
But Sean Dickson's superb 53 has given them something to bowl at.
Somerset defended 142 in the semi-final and this hasn't been an easy pitch to bat on all day.
But surely - surely! - Essex know all that and won't make the mistakes Surrey did earlier.
146 for their second T20 title.
SOMERSET 145 ALL OUTpublished at 20 overs
Essex v Somerset 145
Ish Sodhi gets off strike first ball.
Kasey Aldridge cuts wide of deep cover and gets back for two.
Then a slap down the ground but never a second available, it was struck too well to long-off.
Great yorker final ball and there's a run out trying a suicidal second run.
Postpublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Anthony Gibson
BBC Radio Somerset cricket commentatorAnother example of hitting through the ball too early with no pace. Every time someone tries to launch one they get out. It's not a disaster for Somerset if they can bowl as well as they did in the semi-final.
'You don't want to be bowled out'published at 20:24 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex v Somerset 141-9
Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraYou always hate to hear that a side has not finished their overs. You don't want to be bowled out.
Where's your money? 150 or all-out?
WICKET Henry c Snater b Sams 5published at 19.2 overs
Essex v Somerset 140-9
They scramble a bye to the keeper first ball.
Matt Henry then has a heave down the ground, gets nowhere near the contact, and is well held by long-on running in.
Postpublished at 19 overs
Essex v Somerset 139-8
Daniel Sams to close the innings out for Essex
Postpublished at 19 overs
Essex v Somerset 139-8
So the tail have nine balls to use.
And Matt Henry swings the final ball to cow corner.
Much-needed boundary.
'Essex will be starting to think about lifting the trophy'published at 20:21 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Essex v Somerset 133-8
Carlos Brathwaite
West Indies all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraAgain, no pace, good execution from Tall Paul and a good catch from Adam Rossington - he timed the jump perfectly.
They shouldn't, but Essex will be starting to think about lifting the trophy. It could still be tricky but Essex have put themselves in pole position.
Postpublished at 20:21 British Summer Time 15 July 2023
Nick Gledhill
BBC Essex cricket commentatorThat's a fine take from Adam Rossington. He's pulled off a blinder there with an outstretched right hand to take the ball in to his glove.
WICKET Dickson c Rossington b Walter 53published at 18.3 overs
Essex v Somerset 133-8
But two balls later Sean Dickson is gone!
Again looking to step away and glance to third man but can only edge behind.
for Sean Dicksonpublished at 18.1 overs
Essex v Somerset 133-7
Image source, Getty ImagesSean Dickson has kept his head wonderfully well here.
And he steps away to guide Paul Walter to third man to reach a 33-ball fifty.