Essex Men v Gloucestershire Men | Surrey Men v Essex Men
Vitality Blast
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford | Kia Oval, London
Friday 04 July, 7pm | Sunday 06 July, 4:30pm
Vitality Blast action returns for a second block of games, starting with a Friday night face off against Gloucestershire, followed by a clash against Surrey on Sunday.
For the past two weeks, the focus has been on the Rothesay County Championship, with red-ball fixtures against Hampshire and Yorkshire. However, attention must now shift back to the shorter format, as Blast action resumes shortly after the visit to York.
Chris Silverwood’s men haven’t started their T20 campaign as they would have hoped, still searching for their first win in the competition. Nonetheless, there have been encouraging signs with both bat and ball.
Despite being on the losing side last time out, the Eagles produced two half-centuries against Kent at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground. Dean Elgar struck the first, scoring 50 off 37 balls, followed by an explosive 55 off just 21 balls from skipper Simon Harmer, featuring two fours and seven sixes.
The return to T20 action starts with a Friday night fixture against the reigning Vitality Blast champions, Gloucestershire, followed by a double header at the Oval on Sunday.
Squad
Chris Silverwood has named a 15-player squad for the visit of Gloucestershire at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground and the trip into London to face Surrey at the Kia Oval on Sunday.
The Opposition: Gloucestershire
Captain: Jack Taylor
Overseas Players: D’Arcy Short (Australia, all group matches), Cameron Bancroft (Australia, full competition)
Finals Day Appearances: 4 (2003, 2007, 2020, 2024)
Titles: One (2024)
2024 Finish: Winners
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Cameron Bancroft (534)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: David Payne (33)
Gloucestershire squad: To be confirmed…
Last Time We Met: Gloucestershire
David Payne and Matt Taylor claimed four wickets apiece as Gloucestershire took the win on the opening night of the 2024 Vitality Blast with a five-wicket victory at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.
Payne took three wickets with the new ball and then removed Australian overseas dangerman Daniel Sams to finish with 4-24, while Taylor eclipsed the tail to return career-best T20 figures of 4-22 from four overs and restrict Essex to 141-9.
Jordan Cox, made his T20 debut for Essex and top-scored with 48, dominating with a stand of 64 in 6.5 overs for the fourth wicket with Paul Walter, who contributed 43.
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey led the reply posting 49 from 30 balls and dominating a stand of 83 in seven overs with Cameron Bancroft, who weighed in with 32 as the home side took control. Ben Charlesworth finished unbeaten on 22 as Gloucestershire wrapped up victory beneath the Bristol floodlights with 18 balls to spare.
The Opposition: Surrey
Captain: Sam Curran
Overseas Players: Mitchell Santner (New Zealand, available after IPL and knockout matches), Nathan Smith (New Zealand, full competition), Adam Zampa (Australia)
Finals Day Appearances: Nine (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Titles: One (2003)
2024 Finish: Semi-finals
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Jamie Smith (285)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: Tom Curran (16)
Surrey squad: To be confirmed…
Last Time We Met: Surrey
Surrey secured a narrow 13-run victory over Essex in the Vitality Blast in Chelmsford last time out.
Batting first, Surrey posted 189-9, with Will Jacks leading the charge with a powerful 86 off 46 balls, including five sixes. Despite a strong start, the visitors lost momentum in the middle overs due to a mini-collapse triggered by Essex spinners Simon Harmer, who took three wickets, and Matt Critchley, who claimed two.
A late contribution from Cameron Steel helped Surrey reach a competitive total.
In response, Essex began their chase strongly, with Adam Rossington and Michael Pepper guiding them to 87-1 within the first nine overs. Rossington struck a rapid 78 off 49 deliveries, reaching his fifty in just 33 balls.
However, as wickets started to fall regularly, Essex’s momentum slowed. Rossington’s dismissal by Sam Curran proved pivotal, and despite a late 27 from Luc Benkenstein, Essex fell short, finishing on 176-9.
The match was closely fought, but Surrey’s disciplined bowling and crucial breakthroughs at key moments ensured they held on to defend their total and clinch the win.
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 at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground for a franticly fun Friday night, or at the Oval for the clash against Surrey on Sunday, 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 England v India tickets!
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
