Essex v Surrey
LV= Insurance County Championship
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Thursday 04 – Sunday 07 May
11am Start
Essex welcome reigning Champions Surrey to Chelmsford looking to secure the second win of the 2023 LV= Insurance County Championship season.
After going unbeaten in the first three matches of the County Championship, Essex currently sit in fourth position, 12 points behind top of the table Surrey.
Visitors, Surrey, have also enjoyed a strong start to the season. Similarly to Essex, the Brown Caps have remained undefeated throughout their opening three rounds of fixtures. Claiming wins against Hampshire and Warwickshire.
Squad:
There is just one addition to the Essex squad as seam bowler Sam Cook returns after passing a fitness test after suffering from muscle tightness in his hamstring. Michael Pepper remains in the squad after scoring 52* last time out against Kent. Adam Rossington continues his recovery from a finger injury.
Rory Burns (c), Sean Abbott, Gus Atkinson, Jordan Clark, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Tom Lawes, Dan Moriarty, Ryan Patel, Ollie Pope, Kemar Roach, Dom Sibley, Jamie Smith, Cameron Steel, Dan Worrall
Division One Standings:
The Opposition:
Former England Test opener Dom Sibley’s return to his native county was “written in the stars” according to Surrey head coach Gareth Batty, following the retirement from cricket of South African batting great Hashim Amla. Sibley, Epsom-born, first played for Surrey at Under-13 level and in just his third first-class game made 242 against Yorkshire at the Oval while still at Whitgift School. The 27-year-old won 22 Test caps during five full seasons at Warwickshire from 2018 to 2022.
The expected, continued rise of young guns like Jacks, Jamie Smith, Tom Lawes, Gus Atkinson and Dan Moriarty, plus perhaps a re-booting of off spinner Amar Virdi’s career. Last summer it was the contributions of younger players, as well as the excellence of seniors such as Amla, skipper Burns, his fellow England internationals Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran and Overton, plus attack spearheads Dan Worrall and Kemar Roach, which led to title glory.
Surrey’s title defence began with a trip to last year’s runners-up Lancashire and were only denied victory due to a battling century from Josh Bohannon.
The side from South London found strong form during Round’s two and three, defeating both Hampshire and Warwickshire comfortably.
Last Time We Met:
Essex were defeated by six wickets by rival title challengers Surrey, with Adam Rossignton and Will Jacks both hitting centuries at The Kia Oval in July 2022.
On Day One Adam Rossington and Dan Worrall were the heroes, with the Essex wicket-keeper scoring an extraordinary 100 and Worrall bowling well to to take 6/56 on a blistering hot day in South London.
After being reduced to 91-6 at Lunch, Simon Harmer’s 50 was another fine effort as the visitors rallied hard after a special first spell from Worrall, taking 3/0 in just five balls.
With just 9.1 overs left in the day, Surrey replied with 24-1 as Sam Cook dismissed Ryan Patel for just four. Rory Burns remained 18 not out.
Much like Day One was dominated by a Adam Rossington century, Day Two belonged to Will Jacks, who went further in scoring 150*. Essex started the day searching for wickets and managed to pick up the Surrey Captain Rory Burns early on. A further two wickets fell before lunch with Jamie Porter getting Hashim Amla and Shane Snater claiming the wicket of Ollie Pope.
England all-rounder Will Jacks strolled out to the middle and the rest was history. The youngster hit 150* of just 162 balls which included 10 fours and 8 sixes giving his side a 48-run lead heading into the second innings. Dan Worrall exploited the favourable bowling conditions once again and claimed the wicket of both Cooks, leaving Essex 19-2 at the end of the day.
Essex Captain Tom Westley provided some resistance before being caught behind by a tumbling Ben Foakes for 32. Nick Browne and Dan Lawrence built a strong partnership together before Tom Lawes and Dan Worrall ripped through the Essex lower order. A last wicket partnership of 41 between Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter gave Essex some hope, but Surrey were firmly in the driving seat heading into the final day.
It took Surrey just 19.4 final day overs to complete the six-wicket victory over Essex which kept them top of the Division One table.
Resuming on 85-2, requiring 76 runs for the win. Surrey lost just opener Ryan Patel and all-rounder Jamie Overton before Tom Lawes and Ollie Pope knocked off the remaining runs required to take all 22 points.
How To Watch:
If you’re unable to attend, the game will be streamed live from Chelmsford and available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone or on the Essex Cricket TV YouTube channel.
Miss the action? Highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media channels.
