LOOKING AHEAD: The Eagles are away to Gloucestershire tomorrow, with the next home game being against Somerset on Wednesday.
RESULT: Some clean hitting from James Vince who finishes on 87* sees Hampshire home after Dawson and Crane did the work with the ball.
WICKET: NORTHEAST, BOWLED HARMER.
OVER 15: Hampshire now need just 3 to win.
OVER 14: Vince hits consecutive 4’s in an over that puts Hampshire just 20 runs away from victory.
OVER 13: Amir keeps proceedings very tight conceding just 3 from his 3rd over.
OVER 12: A third over for Harmer which goes for 11. Hampshire bring their hundred up meaning they need another 34 runs for victory.
OVER 11: Paul Walter comes into the attack bowling 4 dots in a row in an over that eventually goes for just 5.
Beard found himself thrown straight into the game, taking a classy catch at long on.
Over 10: At the halfway mark, Hampshire are 85-2 requiring 49 more runs to win.
WICKET: ROSSOUW, BOWLED HARMER, CAUGHT SUB (BEARD).
OVER 9 Essex desperately need some quick wickets now as Hampshire need 56 from 66 balls.
FIFTY: Vince brings up a classy 50 from 34 balls. Removing him will be key to the Eagles hope of winning today.
OVER 8: Captain Harmer brings himself into the attack, looking to spark some magic. Hampshire however remain resolute taking 11 from the over.
OVER 7: 2 boundaries from the first two balls relieves the pressure off Hampshire who are now 62-1.
OVER 6: Amir returns to the attack as Hampshire bring their 50 up for the loss of 1 wicket.
OVER 5: Zampa is brought into the attack going for just 6 runs.
OVER 4: Hampshire benefitting from some near-misses as they find themselves 37-1.
OVER 3: Snater comes into the attack going for 12 from his set.
OVER 2: A very tight over from Quinn that goes for just 4. 11-1 the score.
OVER 1: Amir gets a breakthrough with a superb delivery to Donald. Hampshire make 7 off the over however.
WICKET: DONALD, BOWLED AMIR
SECOND INNINGS: Amir is to open the bowling at the CloudFM County Ground as Essex look to fight their way back into this game.
INNINGS: Walter was beginning to lead a fine resistance, as he smashed a few quick boundaries even hitting a local house until Hampshire got their final wicket restricting Essex to 133 all out.
WICKET: QUINN, BOWLED ABBOTT
OVER 16: Walter and Quinn the final men out in the middle as Essex finish the over on 122-9.
WICKET: AMIR, BOWLED MORRIS, CAUGHT NORTHEAST.
OVER 15: 6 from the over as Essex get to 115-8.
Before we see Amir with the ball, he has some batting to do as the Eagles hope to get to a defendable total.
WICKET: ZAMPA, BOWLED WOOD, CAUGHT DAWSON.
OVER 14: Crane finishes a superb spell of bowling. The young leg spinner taking 3-24 from his 4 overs.
OVER 13: Spin continues to work wonders for Hampshire who have now reduced Essex to 105-7.
WICKET: HARMER, BOWLED DAWSON, CAUGHT NORTHEAST
WICKET: SNATER, RUN OUT
OVER 12: 2 wickets in 2 balls from Mason Crane has turned this innings on it’s head. Walter and Snater the men tasked with the re-build.
WICKET: LAWRENCE, BOWLED CRANE, CAUGHT MCMANUS
WICKET: TEN DOESCHATE, BOWLED CRANE, CAUGHT MORRIS.
OVER 11: 2 boundaries made for an explosive start to the over before some clever running rounded out a good set for the Eagles. Essex are 101-3.
OVER 10: At the halfway point the innings is finely poised with Essex 89-3.
WICKET: WESTLEY, BOWLED CRANE, CAUGHT FULLER
OVER 9: Westley sadly departs for a very well made 44, the Eagles continue to march on however with the score currently 81-2.
WICKET: WESTLEY, BOWLED DAWSON
OVER 8: Essex are sitting very sweetly at 73-1. Wheater and Westley both batting very nicely.
Westley, alongside Wheater has helped the Eagles get off to a flyer.
OVER 7: 9 off the over as Hampshire bring spin into the attack.
OVER 6: Essex have rebuilt superbly after the early wicket as Wheater and Westley bring up their 50 partnership.
OVER 5: Abbott bowls rather tightly conceding just 6 from his second over.
OVER 4: Some good running from the two men at the crease sees Essex sit at 36-1.
OVER 3: Another productive over for the Eagles. The score has progressed to 28-1.
OVER 2: Wheater gets off to a good start, playing a range of expansive shots and deft flicks as Essex move to 14-1.
OVER 1: A nightmare start for the Eagles as Delport is caught first ball. Wheater is the man in at 3 and he will hope to set up a nice partnership with Tom Westley.
WICKET: DELPORT, BOWLED WOOD, CAUGHT DAWSON
TEAM NEWS: Essex make a few changes to their side with Amir and Walter coming in. Chopra and Bopara the men missing out. Hampshire’s side features World Cup winners Liam Dawson and James Vince as well as the tall South African Chris Morris.
TOSS NEWS: Hampshire have won the toss and chosen to bowl first. The Eagles will look to set a formidable total batting.
AN HOUR TO GO: The rain looks set to finally leave the blast alone tonight as Hampshire travel to Chelmsford. Toss news as soon as it comes.
Welcome to The Cloudfm County Ground, where Essex Eagles take on Hampshire in the fifth Vitality Blast match of the 2019 campaign, with Simon Harmer’s side looking to return to winning ways following last week’s defeat to Kent Spitfires.
