Phew!! Marvel comics do not have a monopoly on superheros. We have two, Simon Harmer and Ravi Bopara.
The rest of the team, may be mere Gods, but they will be immortalised for ever. Every single player yesterday, contributed significantly and although too close for comfort, we are worthy winners.
The quality of this thread demonstrates the level of knowledge and support we enjoy for our team. Just wonderful.
Reflecting on the day, difficult as so much happened, but from the moment Harmer won the first toss, and then the second, both crucial, and made the correct decisions, Essex, so often vilified for snatching defeat from victory, showed so much bottle, they could stock a brewery.
The decision to pick Nijjar was inspired and with all our spinning options demonstrated how well we read the pitch, and were ultimately able to control key periods of both semi final and final.
Harmer, definitely, and Ravi, probably enjoyed their finest day ever.
How fitting was it that together they saw us home, against ever mounting odds requiring over 11 an over, albeit from only the last two overs, but when the pressure was the greatest.
How fitting that Harmer should dismiss Moeen Ali, surely THE vital wicket, captain to captain.
How fitting that his destructive cameo of 18 runs off 7 balls should ultimately seal victory.
Saved the best until last.
His bowling. Now everybody can see what a great bowler he is, in all formats. Sending down jaffa after jaffa. The most feared bowler of the day, riding his responsibility admirably and with 7 wickets on the day, the most successful ever. What a player and what a Captain.
His decision to bowl first in the final, gambling that dew falling later would ease batting, was brave, especially as the dew did not really happen, the ball kept turning, and for Essex to reach, a daunting target on that pitch reflected, skill, application, bravery, concentration, the odd deliciously lucky snick for four and being brutally honest we enjoyed Lady Luck smiling on us occasionally, but we deserved our luck through our performance.
Now Ravi, your spotlight.
Go back to when we had won just two out of first ten games played. Understandably we were not happy, and had written Essex off yet after another hugely disappointing T20 campaign.
Maybe coming into the last three games, the odds of our qualifying were so high and we were depending on other results to go our way which is exactly what happened, and mainly due to Ravi’s efforts which were instrumental in us winning not only the last three qualifying games, but the quarter final and yesterday's matches, we played with freedom but achieving exactly what we needed for survival.
Both his innings yesterday were priceless for his calmness, his shot selection and not least his ability to hit boundaries when most needed.
For all the great efforts of the rest of the team, even Harmer, without his innings in the evening, when we were 90 odd for five and the rate ever climbing, Moeen and Brown with challenging overs to bowl,
Ravi steered us home. Class will always prevail.
An unforgettable day, ahead of an unforgettable week, we hope.
Thank you heroes, each of you.
