Final (N), Birmingham, Sep 18 2021, Vitality Blast (Josh Davey 16*, Marchant de Lange 8*, Matt Milnes 1/17) – RESULT, KENT vs SOM, Final, live score, 2021

10.04pm And with that, Billings trots over to hoist the trophy and begin the celebrations! Jordan Cox, with a trophy in one hand, a stump in the other, and a winner’s medal round his neck, leads the celebrations. I think Kent will enjoy this one! Hope you have too… from Miller, Saurabh, PDP and Matt, and Paul Muchmore with his graphical wizardry, good night!

Ollie: “Finals day is the best day of domestic cricket out of any competition in the world…”

Time for some presentations

Samit Patel is named at Blast Player of the Year, which is another vindication for the old boys.

But the Player of the Match, unsurprisingly, is Jordan Cox. “Unbelievable, never thought I’d get the chance to do this, but today’s the day. I was focussed on not getting another first-baller. Unfortunately it doesn’t go down as my catch, but good to get the win. Great to be around the big dogs, an example to be around.”

Lewis Gregory: “We didn’t quite get it right with the ball, disappointing. A pretty youthful team, and a good experience to be involved in. The back has not been amazing, frustrating not to be fully fit, just a little bit of old age creeping in. The fans have been fantastic all year, it means the world to everyone.”

Sam Billings: “A phenomenal team effort, even a whole different squad with a Covid squad, a credit to everyone, it’s been a long time coming and it’s for the fans as much as us. Consistency doesn’t guarantee anything but winning breeds confidence. It’s pulled off tonight. It’s what we are about, giving young guys an environment to flourish. A credit to those guys, they work so hard at their game. And Darren Stevens, he’s ridiculous, 45 years old, how’s he not fed up with cricket! I won’t be getting out of the kit for the whole night, get the families in and enjoy the night. It’s for the whole squad.”

9.49pm The “Stevo is God” flag flutters in the stands. Here’s Joe Denly, another 2007 survivor. “It’s been a long time coming, not quite got over the line, and to win it is incredible. I haven’t completed four overs in a long time, Bilbo saw some turn and kept me on… Qais has been fantastic for us in the middle overs, a real threat.” Rob Key slips in the fact that Denly ended up naked on a piano in the 2007 celebrations, “me and the coach, Matty Walker…” as you do!

Darren Stevens: “The boys have been outstanding the whole tournament, to turn it on for the last two games, I’m lost for words. These young lads keep me going, keep spurring me on, I love the game and I ain’t gonna stop yet. Cox, he’s a special talent, for a 21-year-old, so calm when I was batting with him, he’s got a bright future ahead of him. The fans have been outstanding, it’s been buzzing and it’s not stopped.” And off he goes to launch the celebrations.

9.40pm The fireworks go off, and Kent take the glory! Jordan Cox was simply outstanding, with the bat and in the field. And Darren Stevens, at the age of 45, has another trophy to confirm that he is actually the undead. Handshakes all round, and glee unconfined for Kent… not least Sam Billings, who flies out to the IPL tomorrow with vindication for his captaincy at the club.

For Somerset, it’s a tough pill to swallow. The great nearly team of the era, they are second once again, like they were in the Bob Willis Trophy last season. They showed their spirit in the semi-final, but their form has nosedived at the business end of this season, and they never got close.

Gavin Clinch : “Kent thoroughly deserve to win the Vitality Blast. Brilliant. “

Sheldon Smith: “I was hoping for a closer game. But I am happy for Kent”

Shadow Play: “Start the tractor…good night Somerset. “