Vitality Blast: Dan Lawrence hits fifty as Essex edge Birmingham in thrilling quarter-final to ebook Finals Day spot | Cricket Information

Essex overcame a dramatic late wobble to beat Birmingham Bears by two wickets in an exciting Vitality Blast quarter-final conflict at Edgbaston, reserving their spot at Finals Day.

Chasing 168 to win, Dan Lawrence – who was in rivalry to play for England on this week’s third Ashes Take a look at at Headingley following harm to Ollie Pope – cracked 62 off 49 balls on the high of the order for Essex.

The guests gave the impression to be cruising in the direction of their goal when 103-3 on the midway level of their innings – Paul Walter (27) having smashed the earlier two deliveries for six – however the Bears continued to chip away, selecting up Walter within the twelfth over and including Matt Critchley (6) and Daniel Sams (5) cheaply.

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Skilled Essex captain Simon Harper (19) had appeared to regular the ship, placing on a fast 25-run stand with Lawrence to cut back the equation to simply seven required from the ultimate two overs.

However then each departed in a sensational penultimate over bowled by Dominic Drakes (2-26) that price just one run. Lawrence first holed out within the deep, whereas Harmer was run out off the final ball, having accidently run into Drakes as he tried to make his floor.

The choice was despatched upstairs to the third umpire to make sure Harmer was not intentionally obstructed, evoking reminiscences of Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping within the second Ashes Take a look at at Lord’s, however the run out was upheld.

Essex continued to stumble their means in the direction of the end line within the last over till, with three required off the ultimate two balls, Netherlands worldwide Shane Snater celebrated his nation’s qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup earlier within the day by smashing Oliver Hannon-Dalby for six straight again down the bottom to finish the sport.

Earlier, Sam Hain top-scored for Birmingham with 52 off 36 balls, whereas Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell contributed 32 off 23 balls earlier than holing out to countryman Sams, who gave a pointed celebration to the Bears followers within the Hollies Stand.

Chris Benjamin (24) and Drakes (23no) contributed some invaluable runs decrease down the order, however Birmingham’s rating appeared under par – and so it proved, regardless of Essex’s late wobble.

Lawrence, who introduced in June he’s to hitch Surrey on the finish of the season, might be focusing on silverware earlier than his departure when returning for Finals Day again at Edgbaston in simply 9 days’ time on Saturday, July 15.

Essex have gained the Blast as soon as earlier than, in 2019. The three remaining quarter-finals to find out who will be a part of them at Finals Days are to be performed on Friday, with Somerset’s conflict with Notts Outlaws proven reside on Sky Sports activities.

Watch the Vitality Blast quarter-final between Somerset and Notts Outlaws, reside on Sky Sports activities following the second day’s play of the third males’s Ashes Take a look at at Headingley. You can stream the men’s and women’s Ashes series on NOW.