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T20 BLAST, 2023
Daniel Sams smashed a crucial 29 in the chase for Essex. © Getty
Semi-final 1: Essex vs Hampshire
In the first T20 Blast semi-final at Edgbaston, Essex and Hampshire faced off for a place in the final. After opting to bowl first, Essex were carted around in the powerplay before the fiery Ben McDermott was dismissed for a 12-ball 29. The bowlers picked up regular wickets after that, but Weatherley’s quick half-century (63*) and a rapid cameo by Benny Howell at the death ensured a competitive 170-7 after 20 overs.
A moderately quick start to the chase came at the cost of regular wickets as Essex found themselves in trouble at 50-4 just after the powerplay, in which there was an hour-long rain delay, resulting in a revised target of 115 in 12 overs. A few lusty blows from Matthew Critchley and Daniel Sams, who aggregated 55 off 31, helped Essex reach the target with three balls to spare sealing their berth in the final.
Brief Scores: Hampshire 170-7 in 20 overs(Joe Weatherley 63*, Matthew Critchley 2-22) lost to Essex 115-5 in 11.3 overs (Daniel Sams 29, Matthew Critchley 26*, James Fuller 2-23)by 5 wickets (by DLS method)
Semi-final 2: Somerset vs Surrey
In the second T20 Blast semi-final at the same venue (Edgbaston), Somerset beat Surrey by 24 runs in a low-scoring encounter. After Surrey won the toss and asked Somerset to bat first, Tom Banton and Will Smeed got Somerset off to a breezy start. However, regular wickets dented them, with Sean Abbott being the wrecker in chief, picking up four wickets. However, a cameo by Sean Dixon and a supporting hand from Matt Henry helped Somerset get to 142-7.
Surrey’s chase never really got going, with Somerset bowling cleverly, changing their pace. Craig Overton, Ben Green and Matt Henry picked up three wickets each, as Surrey were bowled out for 118 in less than 17 overs, losing the knockout clash by 24 runs.
Brief Scores: Somerset 142-7 in 19 overs (Sean Dickson 30*, Tom Banton 26, Sean Abbott 4-23) beat Surrey 118 all-out in 16.3 overs (Tom Curran 22, Matt Henry 3-19, Craig Overton 3-24, Ben Green 3-25) by 24 runs.
The final will be held on the same day at the same venue at 6:45 PM local time.
© Cricbuzz
