The 2023 Vitality Blast Final was played on 16 July 2023 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The match was between Somerset and Essex, with Somerset winning by 14 runs to claim their second T20 Blast title.
Somerset won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a slow start, but Tom Banton (46) and Rilee Rossouw (44) put on a partnership of 75 to get them back on track. Lewis Gregory (36) and Tom Abell (28) also made useful contributions, and Somerset finished their 20 overs on 156 for 6.
Essex’s reply got off to a disastrous start, as they lost three wickets in the first three overs. However, Daniel Bell-Drummond (54) and Adam Rossington (38) put on a partnership of 82 to get them back in the game. But Somerset’s bowlers kept their heads and bowled tightly in the death overs, restricting Essex to 142 for 6.
Somerset’s bowlers were excellent throughout the match, with Lewis Gregory taking three wickets and Ben Green taking two. But the pick of the bowlers was Max Waller, who took one wicket for just 12 runs in his four overs.
The win was a fitting reward for Somerset, who had been the most consistent team in the tournament. They topped the South Group table and then won both of their semi-finals to reach the final.
It was also a special moment for Lewis Gregory, who was named man of the match. Gregory had a brilliant all-round performance, scoring 36 with the bat and taking three wickets with the ball.
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The win was Somerset’s second T20 Blast title, and their first since 2005. It was a fitting way to end a memorable season for the team.
Here are some of the key moments from the match:
- Tom Banton and Rilee Rossouw put on a partnership of 75 for the second wicket to get Somerset off to a good start.
- Adam Rossington and Daniel Bell-Drummond put on a partnership of 82 for the third wicket to give Essex hope of chasing down Somerset’s total.
- Max Waller took one wicket for just 12 runs in his four overs, the best bowling figures of the match.
- Somerset’s bowlers kept their heads in the death overs to restrict Essex to 142 for 6.
- Lewis Gregory was named man of the match for his all-round performance of 36 runs and three wickets.
The win was a fitting reward for Somerset, who had been the most consistent team in the tournament. They topped the South Group table and then won both of their semi-finals to reach the final.
It was also a special moment for Lewis Gregory, who was named man of the match. Gregory had a brilliant all-round performance, scoring 36 with the bat and taking three wickets with the ball.
The win was Somerset’s second T20 Blast title, and their first since 2005. It was a fitting way to end a memorable season for the team.