Essex Men begin their Vitality Blast campaign with a clash against Sussex Sharks Men at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Friday evening.
Following last season’s campaign, Essex Men will be looking to push towards the top end of the Vitality Blast South Group under Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood. With a squad blending experienced internationals and emerging talent, Essex Men will be aiming to produce a more consistent T20 campaign and challenge strongly for a quarter-final place this summer.
Captain Simon Harmer will once again provide leadership and experience with both bat and ball, with the main target of reaching Finals Day and replicating Essex's 2019 season when the side lifted the trophy.
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for the Blast opener against Sussex Sharks.
Sam Cook is unavailable due to suffering a fracture on his wrist during training this week. He will be working closely with our medical team as he goes through rehabilitation and recovery.
Captain: Tymal Mills
Overseas: Daniel Hughes (Australia, all)
Finals Day appearances: Six (2007, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2021, 2024)
Titles: One (2009)
2025 finish: 6th in South Division
2025 leading run-scorer: James Coles (397)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Nathan McAndrew (23)
Winter moves: The competition’s all-time leading wicket-taker Danny Briggs has returned to Hove and his experience will be crucial while two other recruits – former Gloucestershire all-rounder Tom Price and off-spinning batter Jack Leaning – have good records in the Blast.
The big question: Sussex’s bowling options look plentiful and varied despite the departure of last season’s leading wicket-taker Nathan McAndrew. But there were question marks around the batting in 2025 with too much reliance placed on James Coles with no one else averaging above 27. A collective improvement in that area is needed.
Wildcard watch: Charlie Tear came of age in the 50-over tournament last year and the keeper-batter might get an extended opportunity this summer to show he has the transferable skills to flourish in the shorter white-ball format.
Final thought: This is Sussex’s best chance of silverware. They have a squad with a lot of experience – Mills and Briggs in particular – as well as some seriously talented youngsters, like the £390k Hundred pick James Coles, who are potential match-winners in their own right. A better collective batting effort than 2025 should enable them to make the knockout stages as a bare minimum, although director of cricket Paul Farbrace is targeting a third appearance at Finals Day in six years.
Sussex Sharks squad: TBC
Essex secured their first home Men’s Vitality Blast win in a year with a commanding 145-run chase against Sussex Sharks, propelled by a season-best 87 from Michael Pepper.
Chasing 146, Essex were anchored by Pepper’s explosive 87 off 47 balls, including his third fifty of the season in just 22 balls. He shared a key 69-run partnership with Charlie Allison before an unbroken 54-run stand with Luc Benkenstein saw the Eagles home with 23 balls to spare. Pepper’s combination of power and innovative strokeplay made him virtually untouchable, turning the chase into a statement of intent.
Essex had earlier restricted Sussex to 145, with Mohammad Amir taking three for 16, supported by two-fors from Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, and Shane Snater. Sussex’s innings was dominated by regular wickets, leaving John Simpson’s quickfire 52 as the only resistance. The Sharks struggled against Essex’s disciplined attack, losing five wickets in 16 balls at the end of their innings and finishing well short of a competitive total.
Paul Walter and Jordan Cox offered brief resistance, but Pepper’s assault, backed by contributions from Allison and Benkenstein, ensured Essex dominated the chase.
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