Essex Men v Somerset Men
Rothesay County Championship
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Wednesday 24 – Saturday 27 September 2025 | 10:30am start
The 2025 domestic season concludes this week, with the final round of Rothesay County Championship fixtures, as Essex Men host Somerset Men at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
After six months, 36 matches across all formats, 14 venues, and 25 different players, the Essex Men’s 2025 season draws to a close this week with the visit of Somerset to Chelmsford.
It has been a campaign of two halves: a slow and disappointing start, something players and coaches alike have admitted themselves, gave way to far brighter performances in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and the latter stages of the Rothesay County Championship, offering plenty of positives to build on.
Chris Silverwood’s side, captained by Tom Westley, will look to finish strongly in front of the home faithful at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, cement their Division One standing, and head into the winter break ready to recover and regroup.
Squad
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for the clash with Somerset at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Sam Cook misses out with a fractured thumb, which has been in a splint for the past four weeks and is due to come off this week.
Jordan Cox is set to have a scan on his knee after sustaining an injury while on England duty in the recent series against Ireland.
Shane Snater picked up a calf injury in the last home match against Durham and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The Opposition
Somerset sit third in the Division One table, 25 points clear of sixth-placed Essex.
In the last round of fixtures, Somerset played out a draw with Hampshire at Taunton.
After winning the toss and batting first, Somerset declared on 454/8 with Kasey Aldridge 180 (233) and Tom Abell 118 (189), while Craig Overton finished unbeaten on 50 (42).
Hampshire replied with just 172, all ten wickets falling to spin: Jack Leach 7-69 and Archie Vaughan 3-79.
Following on, Hampshire reached 201/8 to avoid defeat, the wickets again falling only to spin as Vaughan took 6-96 and Leach 2-40 before the close.
Somerset squad: Lewis Gregory (C), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, James Rew (WK), Lewis Goldsworthy, Josh Thomas, Kasey Aldridge, Ben Green, Josh Davey, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Jake Ball.
Division One Table
Last Time We Met
The previous time these two sides faced each other was back in May when Somerset took victory at Taunton.
Previous Lineups
Somerset: Andy Umeed, Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Tom Banton, James Rew (WK), Lewis Gregory (C), Craig Overton, Migael Pretorius, Josh Davey, Jack Leach.
Essex: Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (C), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (WK), Noah Thain, Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, Kasun Rajitha, Jamie Porter.
Day 1: After winning the toss, Essex reached 115/2 but collapsed to 206 all out as Jack Leach and Migael Pretorius shared six wickets.
Day 2: The bowlers responded superbly, Simon Harmer taking 4-43 and the seamers sharing the rest as Somerset folded for just 145, giving Essex a lead of 61. By stumps, Jordan Cox (61*) had guided Essex into a dominant position at 163/4, the lead already 224.
Day 3: Cox went on to a fine century but retired hurt on 103, and Essex’s last six wickets tumbled for seven runs, leaving them 259 all out. Even so, a target of 321 looked strong, and early strikes from Cook, Porter and Harmer reduced Somerset to 91/5. James Rew (65*) and Lewis Gregory counter-attacked, but Essex still began the final morning needing just four wickets.
Day 4: With 105 still required, Essex had the new ball in hand and cloud cover overhead, but could not dislodge Rew. The 20-year-old batted with great maturity, adding 133 with Craig Overton (53*). Wayward bowling late on day three and a docile surface on the final morning cost Essex dearly. Rew’s century carried Somerset to the brink, and Overton finished the job with a six off Harmer to seal a three-wicket defeat.
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 the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground are still available and are available to purchase here or by calling 01245 254010.
Play is due to start at 10:30am with the gates opening at 9:30am.
Adult tickets start from £16 whilst young adults/students can enter at a reduced price of £12 and junior’s for just £6.
You can also choose to upgrade your ticket to a ‘Members Upgrade’ which gives you access to all members areas including the Doug Insole Pavilion, for an extra cost.
We do offer family tickets, providing groups of families a discount to come and watch the cricket at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
