Hampshire’s Nathan Ellis, dropped to his knees as he was hit for two sixes off the final over of the first semi final of the day.

Player of the match Matt Critchley hit the first maximum with Simon Harmer scoring the winning runs with a six over long on. 

Despite a lightning fast start for the defending champions, Hants posted a sub-optimal 170-7 in their 20 overs after losing the toss and batting.

Aussie Ben McDermott holed out in the third over to Sam Cook, but not before he could deal considerable damage scoring 29(12). 

A frustrated James Vince was caught in the 4th over at mid off for 13(10).

Tom Prest fell foul of DRS as a successful review by Essex saw him dismissed LBW in the 7th over. 

Liam Dawson followed falling to a well taken catch leaving the Hawks 78-4 at the halfway stage. 

Essex contained Hampshire’s middle order well, until Joe Weatherly broke the shackles with a perfectly timed pull in front of mid-wicket. The batter ramped up the momentum in the final four overs as he passed 50 in the 18th. 

Three overs into Essex’s chase a heavy downpour dragged the players off the field, Hants would return defending a DLS reduced target of 115 in 12 overs.

Dan Lawrence, who was released from the England squad to play at Edgbaston, thrashed his first ball after the restart for four. 

James Fuller pushed Hampshire a step closer to the final as he dismissed Michael Pepper, and Lawrence in the 6th over.

The batting of Daniel Sams proved vital as he knocked off 29 from the total before being caught off Ellis. 

It wasn’t to be for Hampshire and they finished the day early conceding 20 runs from the final two overs.

Essex were defeated by Somerset that evening in the final