For the final time this season, Essex will host cricket at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground as the 2026 campaign draws to a close.
The penultimate round of the Rothesay County Championship sees Essex host Warwickshire in Chelmsford, with Tom Westley’s side fully focused on securing victory and strengthening their hopes of remaining in Division One.
Last time out, Westley’s men suffered a heavy defeat against Yorkshire at Headingley, falling to an innings defeat in Leeds.
With two games remaining to secure their Division One status for 2027, Essex Men will host Warwickshire before travelling to Wales in the final round to face Glamorgan at Cardiff.
Essex currently sit one place above the relegation zone in eighth on 124 points after 12 games, with four victories. Visitors Warwickshire sit third and remain firmly in contention for the Rothesay County Championship title, having accumulated 184 points from 12 games - just five points behind the leaders.
Chris Silverwood has named a 14-player squad for the penultimate fixture of the season, which includes the return of all-rounder Noah Thain and vice-captain Sam Cook.
Simon Harmer remains unavailable having been recalled by Cricket South Africa.
Jack Auld, who signed a rookie contract last week, remains in the squad.
Four Essex players are missing through injury. Jamie Porter sustained an injury against Yorkshire last week and is currently being assessed ahead of the final match against Glamorgan next week. Charlie Bennett sustained a leg injury in the game against Sussex. Mackenzie Jones is still working with the medical team after suffering an injury and Simon Fernandes is unavailable on medical grounds.
Captain: Ed Barnard
Head Coach: Ian Westwood
2025 finish: 5th
2025 leading run-scorer: Ed Barnard (922)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Ethan Bamber (43)
Championship titles: 8 (most recent in 2021)
Key winter moves: Warwickshire have acted decisively to strengthen a senior seam-bowling department which has leaned far too heavily on the excellent Olly Hannon-Dalby for too long. Jordan Thompson has arrived from Yorkshire, Nathan Gilchrist from Kent and Keith Barker is back from Hampshire. With Chris Woakes having retired from international cricket, the pace attack has an appealing depth, allowing for rotation to help keep all its members fit.
What we're looking forward to seeing: The Edgbaston faithful are looking forward to seeing Chris Woakes back in the Bears fold – the all-rounder has played just 12 Rothesay County Championship matches in the last nine seasons. Woakes’ appetite for the game remains high and he is hungry to make a big contribution to his beloved county. Seeing Woakes and Barker running in will evoke memories of 2012 glory!
Aiming to catch selectors' eyes: Ed Barnard – the all-rounder has hugely impressed in all departments since moving across from Worcestershire and more of the same must surely be rewarded with a call-up. He was also appointed captain just before the start of the season.
Final thoughts: Warwickshire’s squad enters the 2026 season in better shape than for several years. After all the recent transition, fifth in the Championship in 2025 was a decent effort in Ian Westwood’s first year as head coach. With some stability and experience in the ranks, and the transformed seam attack, his second could bring a serious challenge for honours.
Warwickshire squad: Click Here
Essex were beaten by 41 runs in a gripping Rothesay County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston earlier this season.
After Warwickshire were bowled out for 190, Essex established a slender 15-run first-innings lead, with Simon Harmer top-scoring with 48. Sam Cook then claimed five wickets as Warwickshire were dismissed for 220 in their second innings, setting Essex 206 for victory.
However, Essex suffered a dramatic collapse on the final morning, slipping to 21 for four. Luc Benkenstein (39), Zaman Akhter (35) and Harmer (32) led a spirited fightback, with the latter two adding 51 for the ninth wicket to give Essex hope. Keith Barker, making his first County Championship appearance for Warwickshire in eight years, proved decisive on his return, taking 4/29 as Essex were eventually bowled out for 164.
The result secured Warwickshire their first win of the season, despite Essex having held the upper hand for much of the rain-affected contest.
Previous Team Lineups
Warwickshire: Rob Yates, Alex Davies (WK), Dan Mousley, Sam Hain, Beau Webster, Ed Barnard (C), Zen Malik, Jordan Thompson, Keith Baker, Ethan Bamber, Nathan Gilchrist.
Essex: Paul Walter, Dean Elgar, Luc Benkenstein, Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (WK), Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Zaman Akhter, Sam Cook (C), 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.
Follow our Social Channels:
X: /@EssexCricket
Facebook: /Essex County Cricket Club
Instagram: /@EssexCricket
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.
