Published: Sep 15, 2018, 10:46 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 15, 2018, 10:46 PM (IST)
Riding on skipper Luke Wright’s belligerent 53-ball 92 and David Weise’s 29-ball 52, Sussex beat Somerset by 35 runs to set up the summit clash against Worcestershire, who had beaten Lancashire earlier in the day in the 1st semi-final, for the Vitality T20 Blast 2018 title.
The final will be played later in the day at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Powered by Wright and Weise’s 120-run stand in just 9.5 overs which included a 31-run over by Jamie Porter, Sussex posted 202 for eight before the bowlers lead by Jofra Archer (3/32) and Chris Jordan (2/17) restricted Somerset to 167 for eight.
Opting to bat first, Wright lost his fellow opener Philip Salt for 13 to West Indian Jerome Taylor followed by the departure of their highest run-getter in their tournament Laurie Evans for just eight runs to Taylor once again.
Wright found company in Delray Rawlins who made 18 and helped Sussex to 73 for three before he fell to Max Waller. However, big-hitting South African Weise’s presence provided Sussex with momentum and Wright motored along hitting Overton for 6,6,6,4,4,2 in the 14th over.
Wright felt eight runs short of a century, picked up by Corey Anderson, but Sussex managed to post a competitive total.
In reply, Somerset found themselves in trouble at 48 for four with Archer claiming openers Johann Myburgh (22) and Steven Davies (1) before Jordan removed Peter Trego and Danny Briggs added the scalp of James Hildreth.
Tom Abell (48) and Anderson (48) then revived the innings with an 84-run stand before Briggs ran out Abell. Anderson departed two overs later to Archer to end Somerset’s challenge as they finished on 168 for seven.
Brief Scores: Sussex 202/8 (Luke Wright 92, David Weise 52; Jerome Taylor 4/20) beat Somerset 167/8 (Tom Abell 48, Corey Anderson 48; Jofra Archer 3/32) by 35 runs
