T20 Blast Finals Day: Somerset crowned champions after edging Essex in thrilling final at Edgbaston
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Published 15/07/2023 at 21:54 GMT
Somerset fans celebrated their first T20 Blast triumph in 18 years at Edgbaston when they overcame Essex in the final. A sensational one-handed catch from Tom Kohler-Cadmore sealed the victory as Essex threatened a late fightback. Somerset have won 15 of their T20 Blast matches this season, including a semi-final victory against Surrey. Holders Hampshire were defeated in the other semi.
Lewis Gregory of Somerset lifts the Vitality Blast T20 with teammates after the Vitality Blast T20 Final between Essex Eagles and Somerset at Edgbaston on July 15, 2023 in Birmingham, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Somerset were crowned T20 Blast champions for the second time on Finals Day after beating Essex by 14 runs in a thrilling final at Edgbaston.
Their first title in 18 years was clinched in style with a superb one-handed catch from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, leaving Essex 131 all out and falling short in their chase of 145.
It stopped Daniel Sams' innings on 45, just as Essex were threatening a late surge, and giving Matt Henry his fourth wicket.
“I think if it was someone who was a better mover they'd step across and catch it two-handed, but it doesn't look as good two-handed,” Kohler-Cadmore said to Sky Sports.
“Luckily I saw it all the way, it's one of those that either sticks or doesn't, thankfully for me it did stick.”
Somerset were worthy champions, becoming the first team to win 15 matches in a T20 Blast campaign after winning 12 of 14 group games before their success in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
They twice successfully defended scores of 145 or less on their way to the trophy on Finals Day.
"I'm just happy that we've actually performed as a team, and that everyone throughout the whole tournament has stood up,” Kohler-Cadmore added.
“There's not a single player throughout the team that you could say hasn't won us a game and I think that's pretty special."
Somerset reached a record sixth final by beating Surrey by 24 runs in their semi-final earlier in the day.
In the other semi-final, Essex knocked out holders Hampshire by five wickets as all-rounder Matt Critchley played a starring role by taking two wickets and hitting an unbeaten 26.
But they fell short at the final hurdle, leaving captain Simon Harmer in a reflective mood.
"I think you can pick apart a million pieces of the game, at the end of the day we were outplayed. I think they bowled exceptionally. Unfortunately, sometimes there's a loser and that's us tonight," said Harmer.
"I can't fault our boys and the way they played, I think if there's one thing that you can't take away from Essex it's how we fight till the end. We just couldn't finish it with the bat."
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