Vital Finale - The Only Way is THROUGH Essex
By Grockle
July 15 2023
So the journey is NOT over yet. We get another chance to change our history and NOT be bridesmaids all our lives. However, Essex will make it damn difficult and we are by no means favourites for this. We have decided to go with Kasey in this game as Shoaib did not bowl in the semi as he wasn't required and the pace off is coming from the pace of the pitch to be honest. Essex have won the toss and decided to bowl first. This 2023 T20 journey ends here - Enjoy
v Essex Vitality Blast Final @ Edgbaston Saturday 15 July 2023
Essex win the toss and as us to set a target again. We hope we will do better than earlier in the day. Our bowlers got us out of that one but a real champion performance may get us over that line we've looked at so many times and hardly ever crossed. The same side faces the new challenge except that Shoaib Bashir is not required and his place is taken by Kasey Aldridge.
The game should have started at 6:45 but the hover cover is on and the groundstaff seem to think we may need it. That is something like a 45 minute gap between the end of the second semi and the Final. Essex finished at about 2:30
At 7pm the game gets moving, more remote cars with the ball, more fireworks and flames etc. Will and Tom B are back out in the middle. The lights are on but the ground staff seem to think we have had the weather. Samms bowls the first from the Pavillion end. Banton is dropped by Lawrence at backward point ball number 1!! He did hit it hard but it was definitely a chance but it came at him quick and he seemed surprised by it. Will gets the first boundary of the final straight past Critchley. He then times a beautiful one through the offside. 9 for no wicket after the first over.
Sam Cook takes the first from the Birmingham end. Will seems to be struggling with his timing - the commentary teams are talking about the 'swirling' wind and it seems to be affecting the timing of the bats. Bants hits the first six of the final by scooping Cooke directly to the pavilion. Just turns and follows the bounce helping it over the rope. 17 after 2.
Shane Snater takes the third and he nips one away from Smeed. The next one gets an inside edge and he goes as he plays on. Bowled for 9. TKC is the next man in (well you should know that by now!!). Snater gets another one to nip and this time it misses everything and flies for a straight four byes. 21 for 1 after 18 balls as Snater bowls only the second ever maiden in a T20 Final (the other was James Kirtley)
Four overs four bowlers as Aaron Beard comes in for the next one. Harmer keeping the variation going. 32 for 1 after 4. Sam Cook changes ends - keeping Somerset on their toes. The ball seems to be moving about a bit. The next ball goes into the Hollies from TKC and he then drags the shorter next ball for a single. After 5 Somerset have 41 for the loss of WS.
Sams returns from the Birmingham to finish off the Powerplay. The mix of bowlers has kept the boundaries down but the two guys are still moving well between the wickets taking singles and twos whenever possible so we are moving up towards that first 50. The Powerplay ends at 46.
Snater starts his second and hasn't yet had a run taken off him. He then takes another wicket as Banton fails to miss the fielder at backward point and he goes for 20. In comes Tom Abell who is straight off the mark followed by a subtle four and the Somerset 50 courtesy of TKC. Snater finishes his second with 6 for 2.
Essex move to spin with Critchley for the eigth - they did this in the first semi as well, seam for the Powerplay and then bring in the slower men. This is putting the press on and Somerset need to break the shackles if they can. Then Essex bowl TKC who has been found out with slow spin in more than one game this season. He was looking to guide it and.... just didn't. 54 for 3
In comes Sean Dickson and we wilt under pressure a little again. Paul Walter takes the next 6 ball spell as the boundaries dry up. They only get 6 from it as we move to the halfway stage which Snater will take on from the other end. Presently the batting side is only dealing in singles and Essex are happy with that situation presently. It will become an issue quite soon as Somerset will need to accelerate to produce a competitive total here. Halfway and Somerset are 64 for 3
Walter is back on but the singles just keep on coming nothing more than that. There are wickets in hand but our batting will need to go at some point. Abell is aware of this and gamble by coming down the track but is caught looking to go over the top. 68 for 4. It got too big on him unfortunately. In comes Gregory again with another task on his hands. He needs to see this one through one would imagine. He faces Critchley with the bowlers very much on top in this game. Critchley may have caught Gregory as he followed through. The umpires are looking at it. Lewis tried to work it away and it stuck in the pitch. However the Essex spinner did not quite get his fingers under the ball so there will be a lot of looking at this one. It was a good effort but it looks like he didn't clear the ground with it. The Third Umpire says NOT OUT. The commentators are saying "You can make a case for either decision" - Sorry you can't the ball was on the ground. It was pretty clear - not another Aussie one I'm afraid.
The first ball trundles to the boundary off the 12th over. First one for a long time 75 for 4. Cook bowls the 13th and the Somerset pair are starting to look to push the rate up. They are running with more purpose and looking to split the field which has been very tight up until now. Dickson does split the field to the Hollies to take the score into the 80s. They are now looking for twos as well where possible. 84 for 4 with 9 off the over.
7 to go and we need 10 an over to put this over 150 - it would be good to do better but no one is expecting it. Harmer introduces himself and he gets glanced for four first ball. Dickson then straight drives him again for one to the Birmingham boundary. 96 for 4 after 14. This is definitely not easy. The 15th is taken by Critchley who will bowl out as he switches ends to the pavilion. He is pulled by Dickson to the boundary to bring up the 100. He then cuts another lovely ball to the boundary. Another cut takes Sean into the 40s. The Somerset pair are starting to hustle now. 110 for 4. Dickson is taking on the role of moving this innings on and we Somerset supporters are very grateful for his presence.
Snater bowls out with the next one. The Somerset pair seem happy to take singles off him and let him finish. Gregory changes that policyuu by edging the ball straight up and he is C&B by Snater. 113 for 5. Snater has 3 for 12 and has been the significant Essex bowler in this innings.
Ben Green is in and then nearly out first ball. 4 overs 3 for 13 from Shane Snater. Walter takes the next and Sean Dickson is still our key player here. If he can keep working through this and get us over the 150 mark we have a chance - can't see our bowling doing it for us again, we need to stick some runs on the end of this innings. Green swings again (as in the semi) and skies again (as in the semi) and is caught again (as in the semi) with an excellent catch. 121 for 6 with Green out for 2 (as in the semi). Not clever man (need I say it?).
Craig top edges his first into NML (NoMan's Land) 123 for 6 with 17 down. 18 balls and we are back in that needing to get past 150 mode. The next over is Sams. Somerset take a good two and then another - not sure Craig was in going for the second. He wasn't and is out to an excellent direct hit but he was making a play. 127 for 7. Kasey Aldridge comes in with some work to do. 129 for 7. 12 balls to go.
Walter bowls, Dickson glances delicately and he goes to 50 from 33 deliveries with some very nice shots. He then tries to pull over the keeper but doesn't make it as it is a 60 mph ball so he goes for 53 but having done a very important job for his county.
Somerset are 133 for 8 in comes Matt Henry. Paul Walter has 3 for 23 with 9 balls left. They won't make 150 but as near as they can get can't hurt. Matt sticks on into the corner to go to 139 with 6 balls to go.
Sams takes the last one with Kasey facing and he takes a single off the first slower ball. Henry puts it down the ground in the air and Snater takes the catch. 140 for 9 as Sodhi strides out to face 4. He takes the single. They go wide and run 2. They then take a single as Ish sends Kasey back. Fiinally it is single off the last. The pair do go for 2 but Ish is run outand we have 145 from 20
Not sure it is enough again. BUT we have done it more than once. Gotta hope it is our year.
The Reply
Once again there is absolutely no room for error. All day, any one batsman getting away could put paid to the other county keeping a side in check. Essex have Lawrence and we need him out of the way. With 9 off the first it is clear that things are going to be tight to say the least. It improves when Rossington (the bat making most of the early runs) is out to Henry courtesy of an Aldridge catch for 19 at 27 for 1. But unfortunately early boundaries keep coming and this could be over quickly unless we can put the brakes on. If 35 for 1 after 3 continues then we will be done in about 12.
The 4th over is taken by Henry and he bowls Pepper with his first ball and is now on a hat-trick having taken his first wicket from the last ball of his last over. It doesn't happen as Das negotiates it. He is generating some pace though as he goes through the Essex man more than once. Matt is so impressive that he has Lawrence LBW before the end of his over. 38 for 3. Craig is being bowled out again as normal but he has been going for runs. He has gone for 23 off his 13 so far. It is then 27 off 14 as Das takes him for four more to the Hollies stand. However he does redeem himself with the wicket of Das the next ball as he belts it straight to his buddy Matt. Critchley is the next man in at 44 for 4. Is there another twist in this tale? 45 for 4 after 5. This game will only go Somerset's way if they continue to take wickets as the rate is too high to mean this will go all the way presently.
Somerset continue follow the policy of bowling our front end out as Henry keeps the foot on the Essex throat. He presently has 3 for 18 off 3 and most of those runs came from his first over. COve bowls out at the Birmingham end with the Powerplay done at 46 runs - about the same as ours I believe. By the end of the 7th the score has not moved past 50 as Overton only goes for 2 off his last a good return after the first three!!
Lewis comes into the attack and Essex go to 50 with a boundary off his first. Some decent fielding in the outfield keeps the boundaries in check but Essex are going for them when they can. Critchley is LBW to Lewis and it is 55 for 5.... things is looking up!! In comes Sams to face Ben Green from the Birmingham end. Boundaries simply have not been easy to get. It has been a strange day and this ground has been as variable as hell from game to game. The only 50 of the day was from Sean Dickson and you get the feeling that any bat who gets in would take a game for their side.
Presently, sides just keep taking wickets and no player can get a solid start or develop a partnership that lasts long enough. Walter is the danger at the moment as Essex move to 65 for 5 with a beautiful lofted drive to the boundary from the man. The skipper tries to break this up from the other end with the 10th over. The infield is keeping the Essex bats honest but they do keep moving the singles as they move to 70 Halfway at halfway seems appropriate. 71 for 5.
A moment comes as Kasey is introduced at the Birmingham end for the 11th - he has to keep it tight, especially to Walter. Essex continue to move the singles and move a little closer every ball. 78 for 5 and in comes Ish. He bowls Walter!!!!! 80 for 6. In comes Simon Harmer to save his county if he can. It's 83 for 6 after 12 and Kasey takes another over. Some brilliant fielding by Will Smeed is slightly overpowered by a Sams six to the other side of the ground which moves us into the 90s and close to 50 needed for the win. At the end of the over that target is reached. 50 to win off 42 balls. You have to put that in Essex's ability but there are only 4 wickets left so the situation can change at any time.
Sodhi takes another over and brilliant boundary fielding from Sean Dickson saves 3. Neverthless they pass 100 with the 4th ball of the 14th. It's 101 with 6 to go. Lewis replaces Kasey for the 15th and there is a boundary from ball 1. Harmer goes caught behind for 3 with 5.2 to go and at 106 for 7. Snater is the next man in, he bowled well but we need Walter out so get him down the other end!! Snater hangs the bat out to his first and is nearly LBW to his second.... they review. It was going down leg... review lost.
Ish takes his third and he bowls Snater with his 3rd without scoring. 107 for 8. In comes Aaron Beard with a mountain to climb and only Sams really holding this together presently. The runs are possible but it is now only 2 wickets left and it is 108 at the end of the Sodhi over. So 38 off 4 with 2 wickets left.
The next is in the hands of Lewis to Beard. A misfield gives them an extra run they didn't need to have. there is a need for focus in this part of the game. That brings up 'Nelson' which Essex pass safely and it is 31 from 3. Tom Abell gambles on Sodhi bowling out. He bowls Beard with his second ball. 117 for 9. Sam Cook is the last man and he gets off strike as quickly as possible. Sams puts it into the stand to take some of the pressure off. Ish takes 3 for 23. He's been worth the money for so few games.
21 from 2 overs with Matt Henry taking the 19th. Sams puts Essex back in this with a six off the first. Sams doesn't take a run off the next. 15 off 10. He slashes and Kohler-Cadmore takes an absolute diving screamer and WE WIN A TROPHY
That is the first time I have been at Finals day when they've won something and it was worth every penny.
For those of you with a real superstitoious natures. The RICHARD WALSH THEORY is that we win trophies 18 years apart in formats 1983 - 2001 2001 - 2019 2005 - 2023 Think of that what you wish but he came to this one because of it and it looks like this one was ours for the taking.
Hope you've had a good time people. I'm gonna go and have a drink and REFLECT on this - including the level of absolute consistency we have showed all the way through this tournament. Not a comment I have made many times about my beloved county.
SOMERSET 2023 VITALITY BLAST CHAMPIONS!!
and they damn well deserved it from Game 1
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:18:12:04:42 by Grockle.
Essex have won the toss and will bowl first so we will set again.
Shoaib is not in the Final line-up. He didn't bowl in the semi and so we have decided to go wiith Kasery Aldridge for the last game.
It will be what it will be ----- one more time!!
Come on people. Enjoy this for what it is... we still haven't passed places we have been before. Maybe...... remind me to expand the 'Richard Walsh 18 year Theory' but onlky AFTER the game.
See you one the other side one and all #wewillstillbeSomerset
Come on lads. One more time.
Let's do this and bury our gremlins !
Grizzers
Need to keep heads and just put a reasonable score on the board, here.
150 was enough to beat them at Taunton.
That pitch was on the slow side.. but not as slow as this!
Give him the strike.
Looks like we'll wind up with something similar to the 135 I'd have taken before the innings started.
We beat them with 150 at Taunton. I think they got about 138?
He did the same when we beat them at Taunton (150 vs 139) too:
[wisden.com]
We need to get Lawrence almost immediately, as well...
Stonewall out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grizzers
Could be that Harmer is the one who loses it for them ...
What a catch from TKC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please can we sign Matt Henry for every format, for ever !
Grizzers
Those two wins took some nerve (and shredded most of mine).
Congratulations to everyone at the Club.
Farmer
Realistically, we dominated the entire tournnament.
They said we had the third best ER in the tournament, despite playing half our games on a small ground - a great testament to the bowling group.
The strategy of using TKC to replace RR and then using the overseas slot for a second bowler proved a masterstroke.
Lots of people rightly asking if we can have Henry back for next season, but wonder if we can get Sodhi too?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:16:06:23:42 by AGod.
It would have been a black mark, rather than an award, if Matt Henry, Craig Overton, Daniel Sams, Shane Snater and others hadn`t been among the wickets.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:15:23:09:05 by cricketjerry-mouse.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:16:10:25:10 by Grockle.
We had friends around this evening so I couldn't watch the game, though I'm not sure I would have if we hadn't been entertaining as I find it very, very stressful.
Somerset had been lucky with the toss all this season but not so today, but to defend two possibly sub-par totals so well is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the depth of the team.
I was surprised that the great Roelof Van der Merwe didn't get a look-in today. And that Shoaib Bashir was on the winning team in the semi-final without batting or bowling - but I suspect/hope he may have a good future.
Banton, Smeed and TK-C may not have fired, but the team posted just-about-defendable totals in both the semi and the final. Looking at the scorecards it looks like they decided to bat for the whoe 19/20 overs and then let the bowlers do their work!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! (Etc)
The Sky lot are conditioned to think that anytime a low total is defended then the bowling must automatically have been miraculous. In reality this was an Edgbaston track that significantly favoured the bowlers.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:16:07:04:18 by AGod.
An under-sung hero.
Grizzers
I found it too stressful to watch/follow last night - so only found we won an hour or so ago.
As I've said before - this team/squad just doesn't know when they are beaten - fantastic stuff
His T20 batting, and fielding, have been a bonus this year. I’m sure he was signed to open in red-ball, and I’m sure he will be a success at that too.
But overall, a brilliant effort by the whole team and staff.
Loyal of Lhasa, Rag, Tag and Bobstan, Tractor Driver and his daughter Minnie, Grockers, Baggers, Sheppers, Fromers, Farmer, Wickers, Dasher, Dredger, Vicar, Budger, Julier, Monsieur De Splatt, Mike Taibos, AGod, ADog, Tonynolongerinthepitofdespair, Harold Gimblett Hill, Harold Stephenson, Harold Suppiah, Bill Alley, the Bishop of Bat and Balls, Bishop Odo, somersetsabre, Somerset Maugham, Donna Summerset … your team gave out a helluva beating
And yes, SP - good point about Dickson's fielding too!
Not sure I buy it but, if it is true? Guess who will be getting a new white ball contract once Mr Hurry's hangover has worn off!?
So, perhaps, had he been standing in your FTM position (would have to be a short one, mind), it might have gone straight down his throat!
To measure the effectiveness of a batter in T20, what I usually do is multiply the average by the strike-rate>
If we that for this season just gone for SCCC, we get the following effectivness scores:
1) TKC 5,598.
2. Dickson 5,519.
3. Smeed 5,398
4. Banton: 4,650
5. Green 3,738
6. Gregory 3,753
7. Abell 3,068
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:16:10:17:33 by AGod.
For a low scoring game, it was riveting. When Sams hit that 6 off Henry you just had to say fair play & get ready to be runners up again when it had looked so good. But then TCK put his hand out………..
Quote:Mike TA1
Catches win matches (and finals) you can say that again.
Also just conceding 3 extras (inc no no balls) over the two games is outstanding when defending a low total.
It is, however, all but certain, that that's the lowest aggregate across two games made by a victorious team batting first in both Semi and Final
It was when the umpires kept us out there in the rain during the Somerset innings in the other semi that things changed. Not just the rain on the pitch, but more specifically the strong wind which dried it out. People forget about where the phrase "a sticky wicket" comes from, because it's so many decades since we last had uncovered pitches. But that's what it is - rain followed by a rapid dry-out from sun or wind.
The only man who seemed to understand immediately what had happened was Dickson, and that's why we won.
By the way, I had a message immediately after the Final from my Kent-supporting friend: Congratulations to Somerset on winning the trophy (with a little help from the ex Kent pair Dickson and Henry).
I thanked him, and we had a brief discussion about how exactly Kent managed to lose Dickson and Henry in the first place. What happened with Henry is extraordinary: Kent got rid of him precisely because he wanted to play T20 cricket. As my mate commented: Henry wanted to play T20 as well as championship for Kent but unfortunately they had already contracted 2 useless overseas players and could not accommodate him. Another triumph for the Kent management.
So, you know, we have our issues and gripes with the management here at Taunton, but honestly, sometimes we should count our blessings ...
That's now 15 from 17, which logically also has to be a record. As is, apparently (read it here or somewhere else) taking 151 wickets from a possible 170. That is truly impressive.
I was slightly surprised that Roelof didn't get to play, especially as they didn't bowl Shoaib Bashir and Roelof would surely have been better with the bat?
I have to echo the praise here for Dickson, who was absolutely crucial in both games; you do wonder why more players on all teams didn't try the same - scoring at a run a ball and picking the occasional boundary rather than trying to leather every ball.
It also sounds as if Somerset's fielding was as good as anybody's in the competition. Certainly the games I watched on the livestream the fielding was as good as I've seen and I've followed Somerset since the early 70s (a newbie compared with some here!).
The lack of extras conceded yesterday was also impressive.
Gregory's captaincy and his confidence in defending low totals is also worthy of mention, especially his willingness to bowl the big names early on rather than holding them back. If they didn't get early wickets there's be nothing to hold them back for!
One of the very, very few disappointments of the T20 season was Tom Abell's form on all but a few occasions.
Hopefully Somerset can now take some momentum to the four-day game and aim for a top-half finish rather than a relegation battle.
In short, GREAT WORK, SOMERSET!!!
I did find myself thinking of Max ... this would have been his day. The pitch was crying out for four overs of 60 mph googlies to be fired into it.
Frankly, I don't think many professional cricketers would have caught it, and he makes it look soooo easy!
[www.facebook.com]
The ECB has most graciously allowed the result to stand but will dock the county ten points at the start of next year's tournament for fielding players with elongated arms and TKC will be banned from the first five matches.
LoL
Seventy-eight Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Have seen every Lords final & finals day since 1999.
Lots of fun and too many near misses to remember.
18 years between T20 victories 2005 to 2023
18 years between the 50 over wins 2001 to 2019.
Some special memories from players coming into the stands after & the blackbird rendition Infront of our fans in block 7 was worth the entry fee alone.
15 wins out of 17 is just superb, we did it the hard way twice but our bowling & fielding all campaign earned us that & we got exactly what we deserved.
The best team doesn't always win finals day, this year it did 💪💪
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:16:20:58:25 by wsm fan.
There is another - 18 years between 1983 and 2001 (Do do do do do do do do)
We worked out that if the 18 is involved in all titles then we will win the CC1 after 180 years (has to be!!) so 2055 it seems
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:17:16:52:09 by Grockle.
Flattered to be included in Wickham’s post.
I received a PM recently having a go at me for using the word “we” in connection with Somerset as I was critical about the last day at Old Trafford . I replied explaining my background and that I will always be critical about anything bad for cricket. I had a similar PM last year from a Lancs Forum member for saying that I hoped that Lancs would not be rewarded by scoreboard pressure by winning the Southport game against Somerset on a dreadfully dull pitch. Southport have since admitted in this year’s programme that the pitch was designed to allay Lancs doubts ( they had produced an absolute stinker for a second eleven game the year before). That pitch was bad for the game though it did set Master Rew on his journey to stardom. There is no hypocrisy in my stance. I have been neutral in Lancs v Somerset games for a few years and dread the day Lancs and Somerset go into a final match shootout for the County Championship.
When the opposition is Surrey or Essex, there can be no hypocrisy in the word “we”. 😊
I mean there was no easy way available!
I mean sure, if we’d smashed 180 batting first, then the second half of both games would probably have been very easy! But we’d have needed Viv and several mates to have any chance of 180 on that track!
In terms of batting first, there’s no question we did it the “easier,” way. Chasing even apparently modest totals on those tracks is very, very difficult, as we found out when our then star-studded batting line-up was well-beaten by Leics back in 2011.
I was THRILLED when first Surrey and then Essex sent us in.
Surrey, having already been beaten by us 2 of the last 3 times that they put us in, gambled on the weather and lost, since the only interruption happened before the match had started.
I have no idea what Essex were thinking of, come the final, since as the groundsman said the forecast was, by then, clear. Even Lewis Gregory said we’d have batted (which we almost never do when winning the toss).
It was a great performance on the day. I do hope, though, that the club will now move away from the knee jerk reflex of inserting our opponents. Gregory said we’d have fielded in the first semi, claiming “we’ve had a lot of success doing that.” Reality? We have had a fair amount of success fielding first but - especially at Taunton -, and now also at Edgbaston - we have been clearly more successful batting first in recent years… but we have somehow had a blind spot about that but I think that semi-final triumph over Surrey might hopefully cause a shift, with us being much more prepared, in future, to back our bowlers to defend targets!
What is interesting in this campaign, I believe, is that of the 8 times Somerset lost the toss then we won every time. This included the knockout stages quarter, semi and final. The stats would suggest we should have lost 6 of these 8 games.
As you say AG, the opposition may well have pushed the odds in their favour by making the correct decision on winning the toss. It also shows our strength to win all these games
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:07:17:10:22:12 by Somerset LaLaLa.
Many thanks for this fantastic resource, by the way. It's great to chat with fellow Somerset fans - and I'm still super chuffed over Saturday!!
I post on very few forums (fora) of any sort: here, the Go-Betweens (obscure Aussie band) fan site and the Forteana forum (dedicated to strange phenomena: ghosts, UFOs and the like) is it.
No idea what that trio says about me...