The Essex Eagles have 2 Vitality Blast matches to play in the space of 24 hours as their T20 campaign concludes for this season.
The first of those games takes place against Middlesex at Lord’s on Thursday evening (scheduled start time 6:15pm) before Kent Spitfires come to The Cloudfm County Ground on Friday for the final Vitality Blast match of the year (scheduled to start at 6:30pm).
The Eagles meet a Middlesex side who are bottom of the South Group table, having 2 fewer points than themselves.
Eagles Head Coach Anthony McGrath wants his side to end their T20 season on a positive note, and said: “Although we can’t make the knockout stages, there is still a lot to play for as far as we’re concerned
“The back to back games gives us a chance to restore a bit of pride and put on a couple of good performances for our supporters.
“We’ve had our last 2 matches fall victim to the weather and that was disappointing but hopefully, we can see out our Vitality Blast season with a couple of wins starting against Middlesex on Thursday.
“Lord’s is a great place to play cricket whatever the competition, it’s always a special occasion for everyone. We owe our fans a couple of really good performances after some disappointing T20 matches this year and hopefully, we’ll be able to put the smiles back on their faces with decent displays over the next 2 games.”
The last time the Eagles met Middlesex was back in July at Chelmsford, when the home side prevailed by 3 wickets with 1 ball to spare. Middlesex had posted 179 for 6 and entering the final over of the Eagles innings, 8 runs were required with 3 wickets intact.
Simon Harmer kept his cool and struck the winning runs to see Essex Eagles across the winning line.
Essex Eagles squad to face Middlesex:
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (C)
Adam Wheater (31) (WK)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Varun Chopra (6)
Matt Coles (1)
Sam Cook (16)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Aron Nijjar (24)
Peter Siddle (64)
Shane Snater (29)
Paul Walter (22)
Ashar Zaidi (99)
