Red-ball action returns to Chelmsford this week as Essex continue their run of back-to-back home matches, with Sussex the visitors to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Tom Westley’s side will be aiming to return to winning ways following last week’s draw against Surrey, as they look to push further up Division One in what remains a compact table.
Essex were forced to settle for a draw against Surrey at Chelmsford after a dominant position slipped away on the final day.
Dean Elgar marked the start of his farewell tour in style, passing 19,000 first-class runs and scoring a superb 113 from 191 balls, while Charlie Allison added 56 and Tom Westley 30 as Essex posted 279 all out despite Rahul Chahar’s 6/80.
The Essex bowlers then struck back, with Sam Cook taking 3/41 and Zaman Akhter claiming 3/42 as Surrey were reduced to 51/4 at the close, still trailing by 45 runs.
However, Ben Foakes produced a determined unbeaten 120 from 226 balls on the final day, guiding Surrey to safety and denying Essex the chance to claim a fifth Championship victory of the season.
With Sussex visiting Chelmsford this week, Paul Farbrace’s side sit fifth in Division One on 120 points, while Essex are placed one spot below them on 119 points, separated by just one point.
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for the clash against Sussex.
Noah Thain remains missing from the squad with a precaution due to a side strain he has been managing and Mackenzie Jones is omitted due to an ankle injury.
Captain: Ollie Robinson
Head Coach: Paul Farbrace
2025 finish: 4th
2025 leading run-scorer: John Simpson (1,086 runs)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ollie Robinson (39 wickets)
Championship titles: 3 (most recent in 2007)
Key winter moves: Sussex added three red-ball players to their Rothesay County Championship squad and have given themselves more options in two key areas: the top order and the all-rounder slot. Jack Leaning is back working with Paul Farbrace, the coach who knows him best, while Tom Price is a genuine all-rounder who will relish the step up to Division One. Seamer Dom Goodman has followed Price from Gloucestershire and will offer good back-up to Ollie Robinson and the other quicks.
What we're looking forward to seeing: James Coles is likely to get the chance to showcase his undoubted talent in the top four and it’s unlikely to faze him. Can the experienced Jack Leaning rediscoverer his best form after linking up with Farbrace again and how will Ollie Robinson, who now has the twin responsibilities of leading the seam attack and captaining the team, handle the extra responsibility? Tom Price adds beef to an already strong lower-middle order and is a potential match-changer with bat and ball.
Aiming to catch selectors' eyes: If Coles makes his England debut this summer it’s likely to be in one-day cricket after he picked up a £390k contract at The Hundred. But the 21-year-old has all the skills to develop into a Test batter too. He scored four centuries last season, his first in Division One, and is capable of kicking on this summer.
Final thoughts: Sussex start the season with a 12-point deduction for financial misdemeanours, but Farbrace thinks his squad is strong enough to be considered title challengers. Although opener Daniel Hughes is back from Australia, there will be no overseas bowler until Jaydev Unadkat arrives in June and that might stretch bowling resources in the first half of the season. But if they can keep their key players fit and utilise the squad depth, Sussex can improve on last season’s fourth place.
Sussex squad: Click Here
Essex secured a Rothesay County Championship victory in emphatic fashion, beating Sussex by an innings and 39 runs at Hove.
After bowling Sussex out for 204 on the opening day, Essex piled on the runs, with Jordan Cox hitting 132 and Matt Critchley 123 to help the visitors post 504 and establish a commanding 300-run first-innings lead.
Sussex showed greater resistance in their second innings, with James Coles making 108 and Tom Alsop 72, but Essex’s bowling attack remained relentless. Matt Critchley claimed 4/41, while Simon Harmer and Sam Cook also took key wickets to bowl Sussex out for 261 inside the first 25 minutes of the final day.
Previous Team Lineups
Sussex: Tom Haines, Daniel Hughes, Tom Alsop, James Coles, Dan Ibrahim, John Simpson (c & wk), Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, Ari Karvelas, Henry Crocombe, Gurinder Sandhu.
Essex: Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (c), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Thain, Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, Khaleel Ahmed, Jamie Porter.
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 Essex 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 the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground are still available to purchase here or by calling 01245 254010.
Play is due to start at 10:30am with the gates opening at 09:30am.
Adult tickets are available at the gate for £24 or at a discounted price of £18 if purchased in advance (available until one hour before the start of play). Young adults/students can enter at a price of £12 and juniors for £10 - purchase a Junior ticket and you can apply for a FREE Junior Membership Upgrade for the 2026 season! Junior Membership includes free entrance to all home Rothesay County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup matches.
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.
To purchase tickets, simply click here or call our Ticketing Office at 01245 254010.
