Somerset vs Essex, Final at Birmingham, Vitality Blast, Jul 15 2023 - Match Result

10.17pm And with that, Somerset ascend the podium, and cap a record-breaking Blast campaign with their second title, and their first since 2005! The bridesmaids have made it to the altar at long last! And the celebrations will be glorious. From Miller, Vish, Alan and the team, goodnight!

10.16pm And here's Lewis Gregory: "Pretty damned good, been to Finals Day many times, a special feeling. Everyone sees Somerset as the nearly men, harder each time you come back. Did it the hard way but just rewards for an excellent competition. Seamers have been immense, great recruitments with Ish coming in, and the boys have done it with the bat. We've bowled teams out 70% of the time, which helps no end. Can't speak more highly of the lads. I'm fizzed up for everyone."

10.10pm Time for the presentations. James VInce is the Player of the Tournament, but the man of the moment is Matt Henry for his figures of 4 for 24.

"Stoked, we played some really good cricket this campaign, we knew anything over 140 would be defendable, we believed it could be done if we took wickets. This whole group has been outstanding, consistency is that everyone has done it, and it's been a long time coming at Finals Day. Overton has been exceptional, I've loved bowling with him. Hats off to the crowd, and the Somerset fans for their support all year."

Simon Harmer: "End of the day, we were outplayed tonight, I can't fault our boys, one thing you can't take from Essex is how we fight to the end. The sun will still rise tomorrow. We came out of the blocks strongly, but a couple of things didn't go out way. Credit to them, but it is what it is. No-one gave us a chance this tournament, but we've extremely proud."

Tom Kohler-Cadmore is speaking to Sky: "I'm just happy we've performed as a team. Not a single player in the team hasn't won us a game, and that's pretty special. I saw that catch all the way, one of those ones that sticks or doesn't stick. This year Lewis [Gregory] has been outstanding for us, always taking the attacking option. 15-16 players have contributed to at least one win, it gives us freedom to make a matchwinning contribution. Everyone knows their role and no-one's bigger than the team."

10pm Sampath informs me that Somerset are the first team to bowl their opponents in both matches on Finals Day. Even at the age of 20, this competition is throwing up new scenarios.

ChrisTaunton: "At last! After 18 years. My daughter was born in July 2005 - this is a wonderful double celebration for us!And to everyone here in Taunton - make the rock rock tomorrow!!!!Brilliant work, the whole Somerset team."

Sowmya : "No one except the Somerset 11 gave Somerset a chance after their batting Vs Surrey. Their bowling saw them through in the SF "

9.56pm What a day! We thought it would be wrecked by the weather, but in the end it was enhanced by some juicy conditions that made it a bowler's day! Matt Henry seals the title with (surely) Player-of-the-Match figures of 4 for 24, but make no mistake, Daniel Sams had the measure of that chase... if that ball had snuck through... golly!

Fireworks, handshakes, jubilation and despair. It's what Finals Day is all about!

Kannadachi : "D Sams did enough but just couldn't see Essex through in the SF. Now is his chance to see Essex home "

Henry returns

Over to Sams. 21 needed from 12. A couple of boundaries in these six balls, and who knows?

Here comes Sweet Caroline...

Decisions for Sams. Find a boundary or take the single?

Somerset way ahead on DLS, incidentally

Sams in the firing line. Has he got a boundary in him?

A bit of drizzle in the air now...

Who can stay with Sams? Aaron Beard, you're up