Middlesex v Essex
Vitality Blast
Lord’s, London
Thursday 13 June 2024 | 6:15pm
Team News:
Middlesex: Stephen Eskinazi*, Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Max Holden, Ryan Higgins, Jack Davies+, Luke Hollman, Henry Brookes, Tom Helm, Blake Cullen, Noah Cornwell.
Essex Adam Rossington+, Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, Jordan Cox, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Daniel Sams, Simon Harmer*, Luc Benkenstein, Shane Snater, Aaron Beard.
Match Details:
Umpires: Chris Watts & Ben Debenham
Match Referee: Mike Smith
Toss: Middlesex won the toss and chose to bowl first
Result: Essex win by 16 runs (DLS)
Scorecard: View Here
Match Reaction: Anthony McGrath
Match Highlights
Match Report
Paul Walter turned in a superb two-over spell as Essex ground out a third Vitality Blast victory in a row with a 16-run win on DLS over Middlesex at Lord’s in difficult and rainy conditions.
Jordan Cox top-scored with 31 not out from 19 balls, while home seamer Noah Cornwell claimed 2/29 as the Eagles crashed their way to 129-4 from a curtailed 12.4-over innings.
In response, a severely-truncated innings saw the hosts set 80 to win from 36 balls, and Walter bowled a game-turning 2/16 to restrict them to 63-2, handing Essex a morale-boosting win.
On an unseasonably gloomy evening at Lord’s and following a rain delay, Tom Helm and Blake Cullen initially found plenty of movement, though Adam Rossington did counter in typically bullish style.
Noah Cornwell removed him via a Joe Cracknell catch on the point fence for 17, but Dean Elgar and Michael Pepper picked up the baton to stand Essex at a commanding 66-1 after the powerplay.
Pepper was bowled by a vicious Cornwell inswinger for a 12-ball 23 and Elgar offered a return catch to Luke Hollman for 28 from 17, though Jordan Cox continued his good form to maintain the rate.
Accompanied by Walter, the pair put the Lord’s crowd on notice with a maximum apiece, and Cox continued to move through the gears even when Walter was bowled by Ryan Higgins for 18.
He stood unbeaten in the 13th over, but when the weather intervened in the contest again, it was for more than an hour, which was enough to bring about a premature end to the Essex innings.
Middlesex were ostensibly set their target in 12 overs, but just at the exact moment play was scheduled to restart, another swirling shower forced the covers back on.
With that, the hosts’ overs were again significantly reduced, but Stephen Eskinazi and Max Holden kept them in the contest by striking 34 from their first three overs.
However, that still left the Seaxes with 46 to get from the three that remained, and the turning point came when Walter saw Eskinazi caught in the covers by Dean Elgar for 15.
Moments later, Ryan Higgins holed out to Simon Harmer at midwicket for just two, allowing Sams and Walter to complete the remaining two overs and close out the victory, in spite of Holden’s 24-ball 41.
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 Vitality Blast action for 2024.
With the Eagles having won back-to-back home matches to start the campaign, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As the Eagles continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Friday 14 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Sussex Sharks – buy here (LAST FEW TICKETS)
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
