Martin Saggers (England), Russell Warren (England), Nigel Llong (England, TV)
Referee
Dean Cosker (England)
Toss
Essex elected to bowl
OVS
Bowler :
No summary available yet!
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Over 9
Runs: 16
01106W
Over 10
Runs: 8
112111
Over 11
Runs: 7
616
Over 12
Runs: 13
All Overs
Player of the Match
Player of the Series
Lucky Winner
Analysis
Weather Update
Birmingham,England
Updated: 23 Dec 10:46
20.6°CClouds
few clouds
18%
Clouds
0%
Rain %
61%
Humidity
50.54 kmph
Wind
Commentary
LATEST UPDATE
COMMENTARY NOT AVAILABLE
The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Well, there was some rain interruption in the middle that only added to the drama of the finals day. The weather seemed a lot brighter towards the end of this game and hopefully, that remains the case for the rest of the day with the second semi-finals coming up in under half an hour's time. Will it be Somerset or Surrey to join Essex in the finals? Switch tabs to catch all the live-action from that contest. For now, this is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my partner, Bidipto Datta. Buh-bye!
Essex won by 5 wickets!
Daniel Sams - 29 (17) | Matt Critchley - 2/22 Joe Weatherley - 63* (39) | James Fuller - 2/23
And finals day kicks off with a huge result! The defending champions, the Hampshire Hawks cannot defend their title and bow out of the tournament. They weren't at their best with the bat in hand with Joe Weatherley carrying them to a total that seemed like it could have been enough at one stage. But plenty changed once the rain came along.
With a revised target of 115 in 12 overs, Essex couldn't make the most of the powerplay and fell behind in this contest. Things became a lot more difficult for them, losing three wickets in quick succession after the rain delay, which meant that the defending champions were in the ascendancy. However, the Essex lower order had other plans.
After an impressive outing with the ball, Matt Critchley came in clutch with the bat in hand with a terrific cameo. Alongside him, Daniel Sams did his bit to make sure alive in this contest. Liam Dawson delivered a terrific penultimate over for the Hawks, leaving 13 runs in the bank for Ellis.
The Australian was in the spotlight during the finals last year, helping his side clinch the title. However, he couldn't repeat his heroics this time around and all it took was three balls for Essex to get the job done to advance into their first final since 2019.
Simon Harmer takes Essex to the finals for the first time since 2019! The defending champions have been knocked out in the semi-finals!
11.3 Nathan Ellis to Simon Harmer, AND ESSEX ARE IN THE FINAL! Full and slightly slow around off-and-middle. Harmer goes really deep in the crease, sets himself up for a bit shot and powers it well over wide long-on for a maximum! After 2019, they find themselves carrying on on Finals Day after the semi-final stage!
For those curious ones. In case of a tie, there will be a Super Over.
11.2 Nathan Ellis to Matt Critchley, full toss on off-stump. Heaved around to deep mid-on off the front foot for a single only. Six to get off four now!
Matt Cricthleyyyy! What a start to the over. 7 needed off 5 now.
11.1 Nathan Ellis to Matt Critchley, SIX RUNS! THAT IS A WONDERFUL STRIKE! Full and slow outside off-stump. Smashed over the long-off fielder from deep in the crease for a maximum!
Top class from Liam Dawson. Right out of the top drawer. With a slightly wet ball, bowling his first over at this stage of the game to hold his nerve. Sensational stuff. 13 needed off the final over. It will be Ellis.