Glamorgan v Essex Eagles
Royal London One-Day Cup
Wednesday 17 April
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Glamorgan Team: Chris Cooke (C & WK), Lukas Carey, Kiran Carlson, Marchant de Lange, Charlie Hemphrey, Michael Hogan, Marnus Labuschagne, David Lloyd, Craig Meschede, Billy Root, Graham Wagg.
Essex Eagles Team: Varun Chopra, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence, Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate (C), Robbie White (WK), Simon Harmer, Peter Siddle, Jamie Porter, Sam Cook.
Toss: Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field.
Umpires: Jeremy Lloyds & Steve O’Shaughnessy.
Result: Essex Eagles won by 180 runs
Match Report:
The Eagles produced a stunning performance, ending in a 180 win over Glamorgan in the first match of the Royal London One-Day Cup at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Varun Chopra hit a magnificent 111, receiving excellent support from Tom Westley and Dan Lawrence who both struck half centuries as the visitors totalled 326 for 7 from the 50 overs.
The bowling attack then took over as the wickets were shared around with the home side bowled out for 146 in just 31 overs.
Chopra, a leading force in one-day cricket for the Eagles, underpinned the innings and figured in three productive partnerships with Alastair Cook, Westley and Lawrence.
Working the ball effectively through the field, Chopra ensured that the run rate never slackened after he and Cook had put on 67 before being parted in the 13th over when Cook had made a run-a-ball 40.
Westley (69) joined Chopra in a stand of 116 but the tempo was raised further in a 78 runs stand for the third wicket with Lawrence before Chopra was dismissed.
The opener’s century spanned 127 balls that included six fours and continued his fine form in List A cricket against Glamorgan.
He does enjoy playing against Glamorgan in recent seasons hitting 124 at Cardiff in 2017, an unbeaten 98 at Chelmsford last year, followed by this latest fine innings when he was only dismissed in the 43rd over with Essex totalling 261 at that stage.
Lawrence struck out freely facing just 37 balls to reach 56 as Essex proceeded to post a demanding total.
The home side were soon in trouble. Jamie Porter took a wicket with the fourth ball of the innings, whilst Sam Cook took two wickets in his first four overs to leave the Welsh county in trouble at 28 for 3 in the 8th over.
David Lloyd and Billy Root combined for the highest stand of the innings with 34 before both fell to Peter Siddle in the same over when both were caught by impressive keeper Robbie White.
Half the side were out with only 67 on the board and the Eagles’ march to victory continued unchecked as Ravi Bopara chipped in with 3 wickets including another dismissal for White who took five catches in the innings.
Essex Eagles now have a One-Day Cup clash against Middlesex to look forward to on Friday in the first match of the season at The Cloudfm County Ground, and looking to repeat this formidable performance.
Tickets for the match against Middlesex, and the other three fixtures coming up, are on sale now with a discount available when purchased in advance.
Advance tickets are priced at just £15 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adult (18-24), Juniors (U18s) and also Family tickets priced at £32.
