Essex v Glamorgan
Vitality Blast
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Friday 07 June, 7:00pm
After a barnstorming win over Middlesex that kick-started the 2024 Vitality Blast campaign, Essex are back in home T20 action when Glamorgan visit The Cloud County Ground on Friday 07 June.
Michael Pepper’s whirlwind 43-ball hundred led the charge, as the Eagles successfully chased down a target of 203-7 with more than two overs to spare to seal a four-wicket win.
Jordan Cox also struck two enormous sixes, including one that comfortably cleared the Doug Insole Pavilion and appeared to land over the River Can in Central Park, in blasting 22 off just eight balls.
Daniel Sams and Paul Walter each picked up two wickets in the visitors’ innings, and now, Anthony McGrath’s men will go in search of another victory on Friday to back up that complete performance.
Squad
Essex have named a 16-player squad for tomorrow’s game against Glamorgan with Shane Snater back in the fold after being rested for the start of the campaign.
Sam Cook remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Tom Westley and Feroze Khushi remain in plans for the tournament after featuring for the Second XI at Utilita Bowl on Thursday.
The Opposition
Glamorgan will be in action before their trip to The Cloud County Ground, when they face Middlesex at Lord’s on Thursday, but prior to that game, they have won one and lost one of their first two matches.
They were beaten by 19 runs by Surrey in their opener at home last Friday, as despite Colin Ingram and Marnus Labuschagne hitting fifties, they were unable to chase down the Brown Caps’ 200-8.
The Welsh outfit did bounce back with a 25-run victory over Sussex on Sunday thanks to Sam Northeast’s 61 and a wily return of 2/22 from Mason Crane helping to defend 183-7.
Ahead of their Thursday trip to St John’s Wood, the side’s joint-leading wicket-takers with three apiece are Crane, Jamie McIlroy, and Dan Douthwaite, while Ingram’s 89 runs mark him out as the top scorer.
Glamorgan squad: Kiran Carlson*, Eddie Byrom, Sam Northeast, Colin Ingram, Marnus Labuschagne, Chris Cooke, Dan Douthwaite, Tom Bevan, Mason Crane, Timm van der Gugten, Jamie McIlroy, Harry Podmore, Ben Kellaway, Andy Gorvin.
Last Time We Met
Feroze Khushi’s fifty and a fast 43 from Paul Walter were enough for Essex to chase down a target of 176 and secure a fourth win in a row during the last meeting with Glamorgan in June 2023.
Having elected to chase after winning the toss, the Eagles restricted the visitors to 175-6, as captain Kiran Carlson top-scored with 43 off 25 balls and Simon Harmer was the pick of the bowlers with 2/43.
In response, the hosts were reduced to 1-2 in the first over as Jamie McIlroy raised Glamorgan’s hopes, only for Khushi and Walter to put on 80 for the fourth wicket from 48 balls.
Walter’s innings came in just 21 deliveries while Khushi posted 61 from 37 as, thanks to Daniel Sams’ blistering late cameo of 41 off 16 balls, Essex overhauled their target with four full overs to spare.
South Group Table
Correct prior to Middlesex v Glamorgan on Thursday 06 June.
How To Watch
If you are not able to attend The Cloud County Ground for the first Friday night T20 of the season, the match will be live-streamed on the EssexCricketTV YouTube channel and available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
Tickets
An extremely limited number of tickets remain for this fixture, with prices starting at £38 for adults, £33 for young adults and students, and £10 for juniors.
The Kenton Group Stand at the Graham Gooch End of the ground is the designated family stand for this year’s Vitality Blast, with blocks 27-29 being alcohol-free and blocks 30 & 31 being the alcohol-tolerant family area.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the link below:
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
Fresh from a Finals Day appearance last summer, Essex are now back in shortest-format action in Chelmsford for 2024.
Demand remains exceptionally high, and there are now less than 10% of tickets available across the six remaining home fixtures, with two already sold out.
With the Eagles aiming to go one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Friday 07 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here (LAST FEW TICKETS)
Friday 14 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Sussex Sharks – SOLD OUT
Thursday 20 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Hampshire Hawks – buy here
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – SOLD OUT
Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here
Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
