Watch: Matt Critchley and Simon Harmer fired Essex into the 2023 T20 Blast final, hitting two sixes in the final over of a rain-affected match to seal their place in the decider later today (July 15).

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Essex needed 13 runs from the last over of the match, with Critchley on 19 off 12, and captain Harmer having only faced two balls. Reigning champions Hampshire had been put into bat by Essex and scored 170-7 in their innings. However, rain came and Essex’s target was reduced to 115 in 12 overs.

By the start of the final over, Essex were 102-5 and needed 13 to secure their place in the final. Nathan Ellis, who had previously taken 1-14 in his two overs, was entrusted to bowl the last six balls. He sent the first down wide of off stump and Critchley hammered the slower ball straight down the ground for a maximum. That made the equation much more in Essex’s favour at 7 needed from five balls.

The second ball was a full toss which Critchley was only able to punt in the gap to deep midwicket for a single, putting Harmer on strike. With six needed to win, Ellis bowled another slower ball, but barrel straight this time. Harmer moved his front leg out of the way and heaved the ball into the leg side and over the boundary for a six.

The result means Essex will take part in their first Blast final since they won the competition in 2019. They are the first team to qualify for this year’s final, with Surrey set to take on Somerset in the other semi-final.

Watch: Last-over heroes Critchley, Harmer smash clutch sixes, seal thrilling Blast semi-final for Essex

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