Over 20. 25 runs. Bowler: Tom Lawes. Essex Men: 8-233(rr 11.65) A short ball just outside off, met with a controlled, middled drive. Zaman Akhter sends it sailing over long on for a stunning six! Zaman Akhter now has three boundaries this over, adding sixes number two in this over to take Essex closer in this chase needing just eight runs from the remaining ball with two wickets in hand.
A slower ball parked just outside off, length around half-volley, and Snater pulls it nicely along the ground towards deep mid-wicket, sneaking a quick single. That brings the total to 19 runs in this over so far.
An illegal beamer outside off stump, and the batter seizes the chance with a controlled hook, middling it perfectly over fine leg for six. The no-ball adds an extra run to the total as well. That brings the over to 18 runs, with Snater striking thirty from 13 balls at a scorching rate, pushing this partnership to 52 off 19 deliveries.
No swing, pitching a length outside off, the batsman steps forward and drives with perfect timing. It's a beautifully controlled shot, sending the ball flying over long off for six. Zaman Akhter has now hit two boundaries in this over.
Over 19. 10 runs. Bowler: Chris Jordan. Essex Men: 8-208(rr 10.95) A short ball outside off is met with a perfectly timed hook shot. The batter middles it with controlled swing over deep square leg for six. Essex face a steep chase needing 33 runs from the final over with just two wickets in hand.
Chris Jordan bowls a full delivery on off stump with no movement. Zaman Akhter drives it firmly along the ground for a quick two runs, though a sharp stop by Tom Lawes at long on prevents a boundary. Essex move to 201 for 8 with that brisk double.
Over 18. 18 runs. Bowler: Tom Curran. Essex Men: 8-198(rr 11) Pitching just outside off, Curran bowls a length ball that Snater confidently drives along the ground, securing a comfortable single. That brings up 18 runs this over. Essex now require 43 runs from 12 balls with two wickets in hand in a tense chase.
Tom Curran bowls a length ball outside off, but Snater muscles a controlled slog through mid wicket, sending it sailing for six. That makes it 17 this over! Three boundaries now for Shane Snater this over.
A length ball, delivered on off stump without any movement, is met crisply. Shane Snater executes a well-timed late cut that races away through third man for four. That makes it another boundary for Snater, his second in this over.
Tom Curran delivers a slower length ball outside off, and Zaman Akhter pushes it with an outside edge. It's a quick single, neatly fielded by Topley in the first slip.
Tom Curran bowls a full toss on leg stump, and the batter attempts a glance but misses completely. The umpire signals a wide, adding an extra run to the total.
Tom Curran bowls a short no movement delivery outside off, and Shane Snater reads it well, middling a controlled pull for a quick single to deep mid wicket.
Tom Curran pitches a back of a length delivery just outside off. Shane Snater plays a crisp late cut, riding the outside edge elegantly past third man for four.
Over 17. 11 runs. Bowler: Tom Lawes. Essex Men: 8-180(rr 10.59) Tom Lawes delivers a length ball just outside off stump. Zaman Akhter steps forward and confidently drives a controlled, well-middled shot through long off for four. The chase demands 61 runs from 18 balls with only two wickets left, a tough task ahead for Essex.
Tom Lawes bowls a length ball just outside off stump. Noah Thain goes for a drive but mis-times it, sending a loose shot into the extra cover where the catch is taken. He's caught out. Noah Thain departs after scoring 36 runs from 25 balls.
Tom Lawes delivers a length ball outside off, and Noah Thain confidently drives with perfect timing. The ball is crisply middled and races away through extra cover, earning a boundary.
Over 16. 7 runs. Bowler: Dan Lawrence. Essex Men: 7-169(rr 10.56) An off break tossed up outside off stump, enticing the batter into an ambitious reverse sweep but he misses completely, resulting in a dot ball. Essex face a steep chase needing 72 runs from 24 balls with just three wickets in hand.
An off break on a length, angling on leg stump. Noah Thain takes a controlled slog-sweep, sending it sailing cleanly over deep square leg for six! Noah Thain moves to thirty off just 22 balls, keeping up a brilliant strike rate of 145.
An off break pitched full outside off stump, the batter attempts a drive but misses. The ball is misfielded by the wicketkeeper, offering a chance for a run despite no contact.
The off break pitches up on middle stump length, and Simon Fernandes attempts a slog-sweep but misses entirely. The ball sneaks through to the wicketkeeper as Fernandes is bowled out. Simon Fernandes departs for 2 runs from 3 balls.
