Hampshire Men v Essex Men | Essex Men v Somerset Men
Vitality Blast
The Utilita Bowl, Southampton | Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Friday 30 May 2025, 7:00pm | Sunday 01 June 2025, 4:00pm
With the Men finishing agonisingly just outside the top four last season, the Eagles missed out on the quarter-finals due to net run rate, with Gloucestershire advancing by the finest of margins of 0.3 NRR. This year, all eyes are set on qualifying for the knockouts and securing a strong top-four finish.
Pakistan international fast bowler Mohammed Amir returns to the Club for the Vitality T20 Blast campaign, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to Chris Silverwood’s squad.
Amir has taken 71 wickets in 62 international T20 appearances at an average of 21.94, and returns to the Club having won the T20 Vitality Blast back in 2019.
Following a strong performance in the Rothesay County Championship at the Kia Oval against Surrey last week, the Eagles needed just three wickets for victory on a rain-affected Day Four, but ultimately had to settle for a draw at the close of play at 6:00 p.m.
All focus now shifts from the long format of the game to the shortest, as red-ball cricket gives way to the white ball and the crash and bang of T20 action begins.
A clash with Hampshire in Southampton kicks things off on Friday night, before Essex host Somerset at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Sunday afternoon.
The Inside Line: Adam Rossington, Paul Walter & Charlie Allison
Squad
Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood has named a 14-player squad for the two opening fixtures which includes Adam Rossington, Sam Cook and Mohammad Amir.
The Opposition: Hampshire Hawks
Captain: James Vince.
Overseas Players: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (South Africa, 10 matches from June 13), Dewald Brevis (South Africa, full competition).
Finals Day Appearances: Ten (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023).
Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022).
2024 Finish: Seventh (South Group).
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Joe Weatherley (324).
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: John Turner (15).
Hampshire squad: James Vince (c), Toby Albert, Dewald Brevis, Scott Currie, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Benny Howell, Ali Orr, Tom Prest, John Turner, Joe Weatherley, Brad Wheal, Chris Wood.
Last Time We Met: Hampshire Hawks
Our previous meeting with Hampshire also took place at the Utilita Bowl, where we’ll be aiming for revenge after a narrow 7-run defeat.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Eagles were set a target of 182 to win. This followed a solid bowling performance with wickets from Shane Snater (2/22), Paul Walter (2/49), and Luc Benkenstein (1/13). The bulk of Hampshire’s runs came from Ben McDermott (64 off 48), Tom Prest (41 off 21), and James Vince (41 off 32).
The Eagles’ chase got off to a rocky start, losing openers Adam Rossington and Dean Elgar in the first over to Chris Wood.
However, young guns Charlie Allison and Luc Benkenstein rose to the occasion, top-scoring for Essex. Allison produced an unbeaten 69* off 49 balls, while Benkenstein contributed 54 off 35.
Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn’t quite get over the line and suffered a narrow 7-run loss to the Hawks.
The Opposition: Somerset
Captain: Lewis Gregory.
Overseas Players: Riley Meredith (Australia, full competition), Matt Henry (New Zealand, first 11 group matches).
Finals Day Appearances: Ten (2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
Titles: Two (2005, 2023).
2024 Finish: Runners-up.
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Tom Banton (515).
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: Ben Green (21)
Somerset squad: Lewis Gregory (c), Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Ben Green, Lewis Goldworthy, Thomas Rew, Craig Overton, Migael Pretorius, Josh Davey, Matt Henry, Riley Meredith.
Last Time We Met: Somerset
The two sides last met in May 2024 as the reverse fixture in July was abandoned due to rain.
Taunton, a tough place to visit for any side, hosted the televised fixture that launched the 2024 Vitality Blast campaign, but it unfortunately turned out to be an unsuccessful one for the Eagles, as they lost to Somerset by four wickets.
Put in after losing the toss, Essex racked up what many thought could be a competitive score with 193-6, as Dean Elgar struck his first shortest-format Eagles fifty with 77 off 51.
The visitors kept themselves in contention for much of the chase, as Aaron Beard bowled well for 2/11 from three overs and Paul Walter picked up 2/28 from four.
However, a late surge from Tom Abell, who underpinned the innings with a 36-ball 55, and Lewis Gregory, who made 44 from 20, got the hosts over the line with five balls to spare.
South Group Preview
Click here for Part 1 of the team-by-team preview of each of this year’s South Group contenders.
Click here for Part 2 of the team-by-team preview of each of this year’s South Group contenders.
How To Watch
If you are not accompanying the Eagles down the M3 to Southampton or in CM2 for the clash against Somerset, both matches will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through 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.
Purchase your Essex vs Somerset Double Header tickets!
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header – Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
