Middlesex v Essex | Essex v Somerset
Vitality Blast
Lord’s | The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Sunday 18 June, 2:30pm | Monday 19 June, 7pm
After another raucous night at Chelmsford and the Eagles completing a fourth win on the bounce, a rest day will be followed by back-to-back games against Middlesex and Somerset.
A glance at the South Group table will show you that the Eagles form has propelled them into 3rd place, with a game in hand on those immediately around them.
Sunday’s fixture against Middlesex will be played at Lord’s before the Eagles return home for a heavyweight clash against fellow qualification candidates Somerset, tickets for this game are still available.
Did you know? …Essex have won 9 of the last 11 T20s played at The Cloud County Ground.
Squad:
Head Coach Anthony McGrath has named a 15-player squad that will face both Middlesex and Somerset.
Just one change has been made to the squad from Friday’s game against Glamorgan with Josh Rymell making way and Dan Lawrence returning from England duty.
The Opposition: Middlesex
Captain: Steven Eskinazi
Overseas players: Pieter Malan (South Africa)
Finals Day appearances: 1 (2008)
Titles: 1 (2008)
2022 finish: Ninth
2023 leading run-scorer: Max Holden (315)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Blake Cullen (8)
After a difficult T20 campaign in 2022, Middlesex would have been hoping for their fortunes to turn in 2023, however it has been more of the same for the North-West London side who are yet to record their first win.
Despite the poor results, there is plenty of quality in the XI in the likes of Steven Eskinazi and young batter Max Holden, who scored his second T20 century last time out against Kent Spitfires.
Last Time Out:
When the two sides last met at Lord’s, Essex ran out winners by 21 runs.
Batting first, Essex managed a par score of 161-6, thanks to half-centuries from Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley.
Needing a good start with the ball, Sam Cook provided just that with a stunning triple-wicket maiden.
Despite residence from Steven Eskinazi and Jack Davies, Middlesex never managed to recover and finished on 140-8.
The Opposition: Somerset
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Overseas players: Matt Henry (New Zealand), Peter Siddle (Australia)
Finals Day appearances: 8 (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2005)
2022 finish: Semi Finals
2023 leading run-scorer: Tom Kohler-Cadmore (295)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Ben Green (20)
Somerset were the pace setters in the South Group, winning their first six fixtures. Since then, they’ve won one from three and have lost Peter Siddle to injury, but a batting order packed with firepower and International quality in the bowling ranks will make them a stiff opposition.
Last Time Out:
Essex will be looking to take convert their form against Somerset in the red-ball arena into the shorter formats, with their opposition getting the better of recent meetings.
Essex would have been dissapointed not to chase down the 151 to win set by Somerset at Taunton earlier in the campaign.
When the two sides last met at Chelmsford, Essex met an in-form Rilee Rossouw who blasted Somerset to Essex’s total despite Michael Pepper hitting a career best 86*.
South Group Table:
Tickets:
Tickets are still available for Monday’s match against Somerset and can be purchased online from just £28 for Adults and £10 for Juniors.
How To Watch:
Both matches will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone with Sunday’s stream being provided by our hosts. On Monday, join Simon Ward and a special guest for coverage of Essex’s match against Somerset, which will also be available to watch on Essex Cricket TV’s YouTube channel.
Clips, statistics and an interactive scorecard will still be available for both games with full match coverage on the Club’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
