June has been the backdrop to this year’s Vitality Blast tournament, with Essex securing five impressive, back-to-back wins before speeding through to second place in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship with a strong win against Warwickshire at home.
Vote for your DeVines player of the month for June below:
Simon Harmer
As the month came to a close, Essex enjoyed their LV= Insurance County Championship clash against Warwickshire with a fantastic 9-wicket victory that catapulted them into second place in the Division One table. During this match, Simon Harmer claimed the fourteenth 10-wicket match haul of his career (9th for Essex). During this fixture, Harmer reached an impressive milestone, claiming his 400th first-class wicket for Essex.
Dan Lawrence
During the Eagles’ fifth consecutive victory at Lord’s, Dan Lawrence strengthened their quarter-final prospects as he opened the batting to strike 53 from just 30 balls. Despite a slow start after losing the toss and being inserted, Essex were into their stride once Lawrence – who dominated the strike in the powerplay – had pummelled successive Tom Helm deliveries for four and six.
Michael Pepper
After missing the first three games due to injury, Pepper came back swinging against Somerset with an impressive fifty off 31 balls. In the third over, he struck two sixes and a four, proving his white-ball skills and he finished his time on the square with a whopping 63 off just 43 balls. Pepper continued his Vitality Blast form with a stylish 48 against Sussex Sharks.
Dan Sams
When Essex faced Middlesex at Lord’s, Daniel Sams weighed in with a savage 24-ball knock of 67, during which he scored an outstanding 8 sixes. Sams also formed a brilliant partnership with Matt Critchley as they faced Glamorgan, scoring a brilliant 57 off the last 24 balls they faced.
