Essex Men return to County Championship action this week with a trip down to Taunton to face Somerset.
The run-in for the 2026 season begins with an away trip as red-ball action returns, with the hunt for the Rothesay County Championship Division One title finely poised heading into the final stages of the campaign.
Following the Metro Bank One Day Cup and The Hundred, the Essex Men’s squad reunites as one as they prepare to return to Championship action against fellow title challengers Somerset.
Somerset currently sit second in Division One with 111 points, having recorded three victories, three draws and two defeats. Essex occupy sixth place on 105 points, with four wins and one draw from their eight matches so far.
With just six points separating the two sides, there is plenty at stake as Essex look to close the gap on those above them and put themselves in contention for a strong finish to the season.
Club Captain Tom Westley will lead the Essex side into the clash, with the Eagles aiming to make a winning return to the longer format and begin the final stages of the campaign on a positive note.
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for the clash against Somerset.
Following the announcement of the Test squad for the first Test against Pakistan, vice-captain Sam Cook has joined up with the Essex squad at Taunton. Jordan Cox has been named in England's XI so will therefore miss the match against Somerset.
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Head Coach: Jason Kerr
2025 finish: 3rd
2025 leading run-scorer: James Rew (1,053)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Jack Leach (52)
Championship titles: 0
Key winter moves: With Ben Green, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Sean Dickson and Shoaib Bashir all having left to ply their trade at other counties, Somerset fans may have anticipated a glut of new signings. Instead, the club look set to give some of their younger players a chance and have recruited only seamer Josh Shaw from Gloucestershire to add experience to the bowling attack.
What we're looking forward to seeing: The impact Somerset’s less experienced players can have on a squad that could be stretched by injuries. Josh Thomas will be a candidate to open the batting, while Alfie Ogborne’s left-arm seam may offer variety to the bowling. England Under-19 captain Thomas Rew is still completing his studies at King’s College but clearly has the talent to increase batting options as the season progresses.
Aiming to catch selectors' eyes: James Rew was called into England’s squad as replacement for the injured Jordan Cox last May without getting a game. He had just become the youngest player since Denis Compton in 1939 to score 10 first-class centuries and went on to top 1,000 Rothesay County Championship runs in 2025. Sure to be on the selectors’ radar if he starts well.
Final thoughts: Jack Leach was Somerset’s most potent bowling weapon last season and it will be interesting to see what type of pitches the experienced left-arm spinner is given to bowl on as the summer progresses. The club have been penalised for surfaces offering excessive turn in the past but must capitalise on Leach’s skills to maximise home advantage.
Somerset squad: Click Here
Essex suffered a 10-wicket Rothesay County Championship defeat to Somerset after the hosts chased down a target of 47 inside six overs on the third morning.
Resuming on 152/4 and already trailing by 199 runs on first innings, Essex were hoping to build a lead and put Somerset under pressure. However, Craig Overton struck twice in quick succession to remove the overnight pair of Matt Critchley and Paul Walter.
Critchley added six to his overnight score before being caught at second slip by Archie Vaughan, while Walter followed nine runs later, caught and bowled by Overton for 51.
Michael Pepper was then dismissed without scoring, with Overton again involved as he took a low catch at second slip off Jake Ball.
Wiaan Mulder, who had been struggling with back spasms, was next to depart after edging a short delivery from Migael Pretorius through to James Rew, before Simon Harmer was trapped lbw by Josh Shaw.
Some late resistance from Shane Snater and Sam Cook helped Essex extend their innings into the afternoon session, but Cook was eventually caught behind off Ball before Pretorius dismissed Snater at midwicket to finish with 3/64.
Essex were bowled out for 245, leaving Somerset requiring just 47 for victory.
The hosts made light work of the target, reaching 49/0 in just 5.4 overs to secure a 10-wicket victory, with Archie Vaughan striking 41 from just 25 balls.to close on one down, sealing a hard-earned draw and taking positives from another disciplined, competitive display away from home.
Previous Team Lineups
Essex: Paul Walter, Dean Elgar, Wiaan Mulder, Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, Michael Pepepr (WK), Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Sam Cook (C), Jamie Porter.
Somerset: Josh Thomas, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Lammonby, James Rew (WK), Tom Abell, Lewis Goldsworthy, Craig Overton, Migael Pretorius, Jack Leach, Josh Shaw, Jake Ball.
Click here for Part One.
Click here for Part Two.
If you are unable to attend any of the matchdays, the game will be available to watch via the Somerset Cricket YouTube livestream. Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the game via our social media channels as we provide live updates.
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Daily highlights will be available after each day's play via the Club website and social media.
Tickets for all four days at Taunton are available to purchase here.
