Cricket

‘18 saal ka intezaar khatam’ - Fans react as Somerset defeat Essex by 14 runs in T20 Blast 2023 final

Here is how fans have reacted on social media as Somerset defeat Essex by 14 runs in T20 Blast 2023 in Birmingham

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Somerset vs Essex. T20 Blast 2023 Final

Somerset vs Essex. T20 Blast 2023 Final (Image Source: Twitter)

On 15 July 2023, the final of the T20 Blast took place in Birmingham between Somerset and Essex. Somerset defeated Surrey in the semi-final while Essex defeated Hampshire in the other semi-final. So, fans were expecting an enthralling battle between these sides. Speaking of the match, Essex skipper, Simon Harmer won the toss and opted to bowl first.

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For Somerset, Tom Banton and Will Smeed came out as openers. However, they were in a spot of bother after losing four wickets for 68 runs in 11 overs. But, Sean Dickson scored 53 runs off 35 balls, including seven fours. Apart from him, no batters managed to come up with a big score as they got bundled out for 145 runs in 20 overs.

Somerset bagged their first T20 Blast title since 2005

For Essex, both Paul Walter and Shane Snater took three wickets each. Along with them, Matt Critchley and Daniel Sams grabbed one wicket each. In reply, Essex had a terrible start as they lost their five wickets for 55 runs in eight overs. Only Paul Walter scored 26 runs off 24 balls while Sams scored 45 runs off 26 balls, including one four and three sixes. Apart from them, no batters managed to score big as they got bundled out for 131 runs in 18.3 overs. 

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Thus, they lost the final by 14 runs and Somerset won the T20 Blast for the first time since 2005. Overall, it was their second title. For then, Matt Henry was the star with the ball as he grabbed four wickets for 24 runs in 3.3 overs. Ish Sodhi took three wickets for 22 runs in four overs while Lewis Gregory grabbed two wickets and Craig Overton took one wicket. Henry won the Player of the Match award while Hampshire’s James Vince won the Player of the Tournament award. 

After the final, Henry said: "Stoked, we played some really good cricket this campaign, we knew anything over 140 would be defendable, we believed it could be done if we took wickets. This whole group has been outstanding, consistency is that everyone has done it, and it's been a long time coming at Finals Day. Overton has been exceptional, I've loved bowling with him. Hats off to the crowd, and the Somerset fans for their support all year."     

Here is how fans have reacted:

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