Somerset emerged victorious against Essex by 14 runs in an exhilarating final match of the Vitality Blast 2023 at Edgbaston. The match showcased thrilling performances from both teams, but it was Somerset’s bowlers who ultimately sealed the win for the eventual champions.
Asked to bat first, Somerset started their innings with a modeꦉrate total of 145 runs for the loss of ten wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sean Dickson was the standout performer for Somerset, scoring a brilliant half-century of 53 runs off just 35 deliveries, supported by seven boundaries. Tom Banton (20) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (19) also made valuable contributions to the team’s total. Among the Essex bowlers, Shane Snater was the pick of the bunch, claiming three wickets for a mere 13 runs in his quota of four overs. Paul Walter and Daniel Sams also contributed well with three ๊and one w♛ickets, respectively.
In reply, Essex struggled to find momentum and lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite some brief contributions from Adam Rossington (19) and Daniel Sams (45), they couldn’t build significant partnerships to anchor the innings. Matt Henry proved to be the hero for Somerset with a remarkable bowling spell, claiming four crucial wickets for just 24 runs in his 3.3 overs. Lewis Gregory (2 wickets) and Ish Sodhi (3 wickets) also played vital roles in restricting Essex’s run chase. Essex’s innings ultimately came to an end at 131 runs in 18.3 overs, losing the summit clash by 14 runs. Henry’s exceptional bowling performance earned him the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award.
With this victory, Somerset clinched their second Vitality Blast 2023 title. Notably, the team previously were crowned champions ꧒18 years ago in 2005.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
SOMERSET WIN THE 2꧒023 VITALITY BLASဣT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 |
— Somerset Cricket 🏆 (@SomersetCCC)
Matt Henry might be the best overseas signing we’ve ever made. Ish Sodhi might be the bes🦋t emergency overseas signing anyone’s ever made
— Will 🚾🏆 (@ohlookitswill_)
//twitter.com/Suvhu0854/status/16804214523682𝔍20160
Matt Henry is genuinely one🔯 of the best bowlers I’ve ever seen at one level below international cricket. Crazy that he’s not a top international bowler.
— Niall 🇺🇦 (@Crusty_Crouton)
Matt Henry (14* & 3/19) and Ish Sodhi (1/31) show Somerset low scoring game thrilling 24 runs victory with a winning wicket from Matt Henry in the T20 Blast semi-final🌠 against ꩲSurrey.
Best of luck Somerset in final.
— 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑨�💞�𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝒁𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏�🃏� 🇳🇿 (@NZcricketfans)
SO🥀MERSET ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF VITA🐻LITY BLAST 2023 🏆
Somerset won the Vitality Blast for the first time in 18 years �꧟�
— Don Cricket 🏏 (@doncricket_)
Essex needed 15 in 10 balls with a wicket remaining and Daniel �🐠�Sams on strike:
Tom Kohler-Cadmore ta🌱kes an absolute stunner to win the Vitality Blast for Somerset.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Somerset are the Vitality🔯 Blaཧst Champions 2023 🙌❤️
Absolutely deserving, they have put some brilliant efforts! Lots of credits to Caotain Gregory, he played a crucial role thoroughout. Proud of you Gregs!
Happy for Somerset Boys 🥰Hopefully Notts will win the next 🤧
— Ibrahim_66 (@cric_insane)
Co🅺ngratulations to Somerse🐽t ccc on winning the vitality t20 blast fully deserved as they’ve been the best team in the tournament this year 🎉👏🎉
— Kin𒁃gShanks ⭐️⭐️⭐️ꦉ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@ColossusVirgil4)
Man of the match Matt Henry!
— Alex Evans (@AlexEvans487)
Lewis Gregory of Somerset lifts the Vitality Blast T20 with teammates after the Vitality Blast T20 Final between Essex Eagles and Somerset.
A well deserve🍌d champion, pla꧙yed like a champion.— Arslan Malik (@ArsalMalik32714)
PLAYER OF THE 𒈔 is Matt Henry for his brilliant bowling he 4 wickets for 24 runs in 3.3 overs
— Ehsan Umer (@EhsanUmer7)