Warwickshire Men v Essex Men
Rothesay County Championship
Edgbaston | Birmingham
Monday 15 September – Thursday 18 September 2025 | 10:30am start
The penultimate fixture of the Men’s season comes with a visit to Birmingham to take on Warwickshire in the next round of the Rothesay County Championship.
Chris Silverwood’s group will be looking to take victory against Warwickshire to certify their division one status for 2026.
Last time out, Essex were in the driving seat for victory but had to settle for a hard-fought draw in their County Championship Division One fixture at Chelmsford against Durham, a result shaped by standout centuries, incisive bowling spells, and stubborn resistance on the final day.
Durham, batting first, compiled 333 thanks to Ben McKinney’s fluent 121 and Alex Lees’ composed 94. Jamie Porter led Essex’s attack with 4 for 77, supported by Shane Snater and Doug Bracewell.
In reply, Essex seized control with a commanding 457 for 8 declared. Dean Elgar anchored the innings with a sublime 150, while Matt Critchley’s aggressive 129 accelerated the hosts into a dominant 124-run lead.
Dean Elgar of Essex raises his bat after reaching his century during Essex v Durham, Rothesay County Championship Division 1 at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on 9th September 2025.
Durham’s second innings wobbled badly against Simon Harmer and Porter, slipping to 96 for 7. But an unyielding 77-run stand between Ben Raine and Matthew Potts frustrated Essex. A heavy thunderstorm on the final afternoon further blunted the home side’s push for victory as Durham closed on 173 for 7, salvaging a draw.
Essex took 14 points to ease relegation fears, while Durham, with 12, remain under pressure with just two matches left in the season.
Squad
Chris Silverwood has named a 14-player squad for the clash with Durham at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Shane Snater picked up a calf injury during Durham match. He is being rested as a precaution and is working through rehab with the aim to return against Somerset in the last match of the season.
Sam Cook misses out after sustaining a broken thumb on his non-bowling hand during The Hundred, while Jordan Cox is ruled out with a fractured rib.
The Opposition
Warwickshire sit in fourth place in the table, one position above Essex, with 19 points separating the two sides.
In the last round of fixtures, Warwickshire travelled to the Kia Oval and played out a draw with Surrey. Michael Booth was the leading wicket-taker in the match, returning figures of 6-110 across the two innings, while Will Young top-scored in the first innings with a determined 72 from 166 deliveries.
In the Rothesay County Championship this season, Warwickshire’s leading wicket-taker is Ethan Bamber, who has claimed 38 wickets at an average of 34.52. Their most prolific batter has been Ed Barnard, who has compiled 865 runs at an impressive average of 57.66.
Michael Booth of Warwickshire bowls during Day 4 of the Rothesay County Championship match between Surrey and Warwickshire at The Kia Oval on September 11, 2025.
Warwickshire squad: TBC.
Division One Table
Last Time We Met
The reverse fixture took place just two rounds ago, ending in a draw at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on August 01, after rain curtailed the final day’s play.
Previous Lineups
Essex: Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (c), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Charlie Allison, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Thain, Shane Snater, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter.
Warwickshire: Rob Yates, Alex Davies (c), Dan Mousley, Beau Wesbter, Ed Barnard, Kai Smith (wk), Zen Malik, Vansh Jani, Corey Rocchiccioli, Ethan Bamber, Olly Hannon-Dalby.
Tom Westley was once again the standout for Essex, following his first-innings 148 with an unbeaten 51, marking his fifth score over fifty in eight innings.
He had earlier shared in partnerships with Paul Walter, Charlie Allison and Michael Pepper, who all made significant contributions as Essex declared on 602 for six, with Allison hitting 133 and Pepper an unbeaten 107.
Warwickshire’s reply was built around a remarkable maiden century from Ethan Bamber, the nightwatchman and normally a bowler, who batted nearly four hours for 107.
Ed Barnard also underlined his fine season with 108 not out, while Dan Mousley (75 and later 54*) and debutant Vansh Jani (41) offered valuable support as Warwickshire reached 485 to avoid the follow-on.
Essex’s main bowling threat came from Matt Critchley, who bowled 40 overs and finished with five for 171 in Harmer’s absence.
Although Essex built a lead of more than 200 in their second innings, the contest had effectively ended once Warwickshire passed the follow-on target, and the rain merely confirmed the inevitable. Essex took 14 points to strengthen their position above the relegation zone, while Warwickshire’s 12 points left them secure in mid-table.
Tom Westley of Essex celebrates his century during Essex v Warwickshire, Rothesay County Championship Division 1 at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on 29th July 2025.
How To Watch
If you are unable to attend any of the match days, the game will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone, through the YouTube livestream.
Daily highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media. Live updates will also be provided through the Club’s various social platforms and channels.
Tickets
Tickets for all four days at Edgbaston are still available and are available to purchase here or by calling 0330 551 1994 (10am-4pm, Mon-Fri) or email [email protected].
Play is due to start at 10:30am with the gates opening at 9:30am.
