By taking to the field in Thursday’s Vitality Blast win over Hampshire Hawks, Essex T20 captain Simon Harmer became just the seventh man to play 100 matches in the format for the Eagles.
Harmer, who made his shortest-format debut for Essex in July 2017, joins Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, Ravi Bopara, Mark Pettini, Graham Napier, and Tom Westley in reaching the milestone.
In that time, the South African has taken 98 wickets for the Eagles at an average of 25.93, boasting an impressive strike rate of 19.30 and an economy of 8.06.
The 35-year-old has also remained a useful option with bat in hand down the order, playing 66 Essex innings during his century of appearances, and from that, scoring 583 runs.
Although his top score is 31, perhaps Harmer’s best innings for the Eagles was his unbeaten 18 off seven balls against Worcestershire Rapids in the 2019 final, which contained the match-winning four.
That night was the zenith of Harmer’s shortest-format Essex career, and came a little over two years after his T20 debut for the club at home to Surrey.
He may have had an innocuous outing that saw him go wicketless and be unrequired with the bat, but it was only the start of a career that has seen the spinner establish himself as a recent Essex great.
Harmer has skippered Essex in 75 of his 100 games, with his captaincy debut coming in August 2018 at home to Kent, and his first win in the role arriving over Surrey at Chelmsford two games later.
In all, he has led the Eagles to 38 victories as captain, including two on that famous day at Edgbaston in September 2019 that culminated in him lifting the Vitality Blast trophy.
For Essex Members and supporters, though, the best news is that with over two years left on his contract, there is yet more history to be created by the man from Pretoria who is now one of our own.
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 sitting fourth in the South Group and firmly in contention for another knockout match, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As Essex continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
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
