Lawrence-led Essex defeat Warwickshire in a nail-biting conclusion to get to the finals. in a nail-biting conclusion to get to the finals.

In a thrilling finale at Edgbaston, Essex maintained composure to defeat Warwickshire by two wickets in the opening T20 Blast quarterfinal. The visitors’ run chase was supported by a composed half-century from Daniel Lawrence, with cameos from Adam Rossington and Paul Walter serving as the appropriate counterbalance at the other end. Essex frontloaded their chase with their usual brand of aggressive cricket as 69 came from their PowerPlay with strokes all over the pitch as they attempted to reach the slightly below par total of 168.

The Bears did make a comeback throughout the middle overs thanks to their spinners, particularly Jake Lintott, but after such an explosive start, Essex’s necessary run rate had dropped significantly. Lawrence kept one end going by moving the ball around as wickets dropped at the other end. With only three wickets left, the hosts put on a late squeeze, reducing the run rate to 17 from 15 balls. Simon Harmer, the team’s captain, then struck Lintott for a six and a four to cut the deficit to seven points off the final 12 pitches.

The game appeared to be finished at this time. To add some excitement, Dominic Drakes began the penultimate over by taking the important wicket of Lawrence and only allowed one run to come off it. Harmer then fell off the final ball, allowing Essex to score six runs off the final over with two wickets still remaining. Before Shane Snater smoothly smashed him down the ground for a six to secure the victory, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, bowling the 20th over, used cunning to reduce the run requirement to three needed off two balls.