Somerset 153/8 beat Hampshire Hawks 150 by two wickets
Kent Spitfires 168/8 beat Sussex Sharks 147 by 21 runs
Kent Spitfires 167/7 beat Somerset 142/9 by 25 runs
Cox to the fore
Just 20 years of age and lighting up Finals Day. It was a day to remember for Jordan Cox on his first appearance on this stage. Kent had stalled batting first in the final, 118/5 with three overs left. Up stepped Cox, smashing three fours and three sixes from those final overs. Kent added 49 in that time and it proved the difference as the Spitfires won the Blast for the first time since 2007.
What a way to get to your half-century @jjordancox 👏#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/RwjMUbPEos
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021
Air Jordan
The big stage brings the biggest and best moments, and boy, wasn't Edgbaston treated to one of those. There are relay catches, and then there is what Jordan Cox did. Words can't really do it justice, so take a look for yourself.
JORDAN COX, YOU CANNOT DO THAT#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/4mf4Igjq8B
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021
Abell more than capable
Cox's wasn't the only spectacular piece of fielding in the final. Tom Abell, despite being on the losing side, pulled off a magnificent piece of athleticism to catch Joe Denly. Running away from the ball and taking it over his shoulder, with the ball in the air so long the batsmen crossed twice, and claiming the catch making it look simple. Sublime.
THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD @tomabell1 😱
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021
Watch #FinalsDay live ➡️ https://t.co/vT8YTaXHLW pic.twitter.com/NUA6R6Fb5a
Bell-Drummond masterclass
That Kent were in the final - their first since 2008 - was thanks to a stunning innings by Daniel Bell-Drummond. No player has ever scored a Finals Day century, but it looked like the former England Lion was about to become the first. Only he and Darren Stevens scored more than 14, but Bell-Drummond was the steady hand from the start. He fell for 82 from 51 balls, but that was more than enough. Four wickets for Fred Klaassen and three for Matt Milnes helped Spitfires defend their total.
Absolute wheels @tmills15 🔥
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021
So, so good!#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/ra2MWcg0IB
Somerset's late blitz
Edgbaston was treated to an epic first game to get Finals Day rocking and rolling. Joe Weatherley was in glorious form, smashing 71 amid regular Hawks wickets on a slow-looking pitch. It looked the match-winning knock even when Tom Abell hit 50, but Somerset's lower order did the job. They needed 54 from four overs and 28 from two, but Ben Green, Craig Overton and match-winner Josh Davey crunched the ball everywhere, and Somerset pulled off a near-miraculous heist.
WOW. WOW WOW WOW.@SomersetCCC have stolen an Edgbaston epic!! 😱#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/7OaCvkPfuP
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021