Somerset see off Sams’ heroics to end 18-year title wait

Australia's Daniel Sams has given it great shake but could not prevent Somerset claiming a first T20 Blast title in 18 years at Edgbaston.

Sams' Essex team were struggling in a run chase of 146 when the allrounder came to the wicket at No.7 and belted 45 off 26 balls.

But New Zealand paceman Matt Henry had him caught in the penultimate over as he finished with 4-24 and led Somerset to victory by 14 runs.

Somerset won their first crown in 2005 but they have been unrewarded on their previous seven visits to Finals Day, finishing runners-up in three successive years in 2009, 2010 and 2011 then again in 2021.

They reached the final by defending 142 against Surrey and needed another excellent collective effort from their bowlers after being bowled out for 145, built on Sean Dickson's understated 53 off 35 balls.

Adam Rossington (19) and Dan Lawrence (16) flew out of the traps to start the run chase for Essex but Henry dismissed both openers and produced the ball of the day with a bail-trimmer to see off Michael Pepper.

Essex – who earlier edged out defending champions Hampshire on a day where both semi-finals were affected by passing showers, with the showpiece going off without a hitch – lost regular wickets as leg-spinner Ish Sodhi claimed 3-22 and Somerset captain Lewis Gregory took 2-25.

While Essex continued to lose wickets, Sams made sure they did not collapse without trace by clattering Kasey Aldridge and Sodhi over the boundary rope to leave 21 required off the final 12 balls.

It was all on his shoulders as he greeted Henry back into the attack with a third towering six but when the New Zealand seamer went wider, Sams got a thick edge and Kohler-Cadmore produced a terrific diving catch as Essex were all out in 18.3 overs.

Essex's Shane Snater was unfortunate to be on the losing side after exploiting the unpredictable bounce, perhaps caused by the moisture that built up through the day, to finish with 4-1-13-3.

Sam had figures of 1-26 from his four overs.

- with AAP