T20 Blast: Essex, Somerset set up summit clash

Semi-final 1: Essex vs Hampshire

In the first T20 Blast semi-final at Edgbaston, Essex and Hampshire faced off for a place in the final. After opting to bowl first, Essex were carted around in the powerplay before the fiery Ben McDermott was dismissed for a 12-ball 29. The bowlers picked up regular wickets after that, but Weatherley's quick half-century (63*) and a rapid cameo by Benny Howell at the death ensured a competitive 170-7 after 20 overs.

A moderately quick start to the chase came at the cost of regular wickets as Essex found themselves in trouble at 50-4 just after the powerplay, in which there was an hour-long rain delay, resulting in a revised target of 115 in 12 overs. A few lusty blows from Matthew Critchley and Daniel Sams, who aggregated 55 off 31, helped Essex reach the target with three balls to spare sealing their berth in the final.