Over 17. 7 runs. Bowler: Tom Lawes. Essex Men: 2-124(rr 7.29) Tom Lawes bowls a short ball outside off, but it's called a wide as the batter doesn't take a shot. The ball is fielded cleanly by the wicketkeeper.
Tom Lawes bowls a back of a length no movement delivery outside off stump. Michael Pepper leans into a beautifully controlled late cut, timing it exquisitely through third man for four.
Over 16. 11 runs. Bowler: Sean Abbott. Essex Men: 2-117(rr 7.31) Sean Abbott bowls a back of a length delivery just outside off, with Charlie Allison leaving it well alone. No shot offered, and the ball is safely collected by the wicketkeeper for no run. Essex need 7 runs from 24 balls with 8 wickets in hand, holding steady in their chase.
Sean Abbott delivers a length ball outside off, but Charlie Allison responds with a controlled, middled pull shot. The ball races away to deep square leg for four runs. That's another boundary for Allison, his second in this over.
Over 15. 10 runs. Bowler: Chris Jordan. Essex Men: 2-106(rr 7.07) Jordan bowls a length ball just outside off stump, and Pepper deftly steers it along the ground for a quick single. Essex require 18 runs from 30 balls with plenty of wickets in hand in this chase.
Chris Jordan bowls a short, no movement delivery outside off stump, and Charlie Allison plays a controlled pull shot, guiding the ball carefully to pick up a single.
Chris Jordan bowls a full-length delivery just outside off stump, and Michael Pepper attempts a drive but mistimes it. The ball skims awkwardly away, racing for two runs before Jason Roy retrieves it at long on.
No movement off the pitch as the length ball sits up nicely. Michael Pepper dispatches a well-timed flick, caressing it elegantly through fine leg for four. That brings Essex to a solid 100 for 2.
Over 14. 2 runs. Bowler: Tom Curran. Essex Men: 2-96(rr 6.86) A slower ball pitched length and outside off, the batter charges in but misses the pull, leaving the ball to be gathered cleanly by the wicketkeeper. Essex face a chase with 28 needed off 36 balls, requiring a steady 4.7 runs per over with eight wickets in hand.
A length ball on off stump with no movement, pulled back firmly but straight to mid-wicket where the fielder, Sean Abbott, collects it cleanly for no run.
Tom Curran bowls a slower length delivery on off stump, and Charlie Allison works it carefully back towards mid-wicket. Sean Abbott fields it swiftly to prevent any runs—an effective dot ball.
Over 13. 7 runs. Bowler: Tom Lawes. Essex Men: 2-94(rr 7.23) A length ball outside off stump with no movement; the batter leaves it well alone, resulting in no run. Essex require 30 runs from 42 balls with plenty of wickets in hand as they chase.
Charlie Allison plays a controlled drive just outside off stump, keeping it on the ground and picking up a well-run single. Allison gets off the mark with that run.
Tom Lawes delivers a length ball just outside off stump, met with a controlled drive by Charlie Allison that stays down and finds the mid-on fielder for no run.
A slower ball pitching just outside off, length ball, and Jordan Cox goes for a drive but mistimes it, sending the ball uncontrollably in the air. He is caught by Laurie Evans at extra cover, ending his innings. Jordan Cox departs for 16 off 15.
On a length, right on middle stump, the bowler delivers a no movement ball that the batter connects with a well-timed, controlled slog. The shot soars powerfully over deep square leg for a fine six.
