Vitality Blast: Essex captain Simon Harmer feels for fans

Essex captain Simon Harmer admitted he felt for the club’s supporters after a thrilling Vitality Blast quarter-final win at Birmingham Bears.

Having held the hosts to 167-7 at Edgbaston, Essex appeared to be cruising to victory thanks to a fine half-century from Dan Lawrence, after cameos from Adam Rossington and Paul Walter.

But they wobbled, with Lawrence out for 62 off 49 balls and Harmer also run out in the 19th over, leaving six runs needed.

Aaron Beard and Shane Snater scampered three from the first four balls, before Snater hit a six down the ground to seal a two-wicket win.

Essex had also beaten Surrey in their final group game thanks to a last-ball six from Feroze Khushi to reach the knockout stage and now head to Finals Day looking to emulate their 2019 triumph.

“I feel for our supporters because we always find a way to make it close,” said Harmer.

“But luckily in the last two games and especially tonight we have found a way to be on the winning side.

“You can’t take away from some of the sensational performances tonight which allowed us to get ahead of the game. You would like to finish the game a little bit earlier, but sometimes cricket doesn’t work that way.”

Daniel Sams struck with the third ball of the match in an opening wicket maiden, with Beard, Walter, Lawrence and Harmer also having success to reduce the Bears to 89-5 in the 12th over.

Sam Cook (2-24) dismissed Sam Hain for 52 off 36 balls and Chris Benjamin with the final ball of the innings, before Rossington clubbed 21 off 11 in reply.

Michael Pepper and Khushi fell in quick succession, but Walter hit three sixes in his 27 off 15 as Lawrence kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end.

And Harmer hit a six and four off Jake Lintott to help set his side up for success, adding: “I think their score was par-ish but the way we batted in the powerplay and the few overs after the powerplay was what got us ahead of the game. 

“We were looking at a run a ball from about 10 overs out and that really shifted the pressure back on to Birmingham.

“They have been flying this entire tournament and were odds-on favourites tonight but anything can happen very quickly in a T20 game.

“We are really looking forward to Finals Day but we know we will have to play some really good cricket and learn some lessons from tonight and then there are two huge games that we need to win.

“We will enjoy tonight’s win then regroup for a tough [County Championship] game against Lancashire at Blackpool [starting on Monday] and then go again here for Finals Day.”