The County Championship returns to Chelmsford this weekend as Essex host Somerset in round two of Division One, looking to make it back-to-back wins after a dominant victory in the opening round.
The meeting with Somerset follows an emphatic triumph on the south coast, where Essex overwhelmed Hampshire in Southampton, securing an innings-and-137-run victory inside three days. The comprehensive nature of that win set an early marker for Chris Silverwood's side, underlining both the depth in batting and potency in bowling.
Chris Silverwood's group will now aim to carry that momentum into the first home outing of the season, although Somerset could provide a stern test.
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for the first Rothesay County Championship match at home, with vice-captain Sam Cook taking on the captaincy and Luc Benkenstein added to the squad.
Club Captain Tom Westley is absent from the squad after sustaining a finger injury against Hampshire in the last game. An update on his return will be released in due course.
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: Lewis Gregory (C), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Josh Thomas, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, James Rew (WK), Lewis Goldsworthy, Archie Vaughan, Migael Pretorius, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Jake Ball, Josh Shaw, Alfie Ogborne.
Essex wrapped up their 2025 red-ball campaign with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Somerset at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, to round the season off on a high note.
Somerset, having won the toss and elected to bat first, posted a competitive 433 in their first innings, with Lewis Goldsworthy reaching a century and Josh Thomas contributing a valuable 86, laying a strong foundation for the visitors. Wickets were shared around the Essex bowling attack as Jamie Porter and Charlie Bennett collected three each whilst Doug Bracewell and Simon Harmer took two each.
Essex responded robustly, with Dean Elgar (118) and Paul Walter (158) forging a big partnership that propelled them to 438, just edging ahead on the first‑innings scores. Somerset’s Craig Overton claimed six wickets and the rest of Somerset’s bowlers fought hard but were ultimately unable to prevent Essex from gaining the advantage.
In their second innings, Somerset collapsed as they were dismissed for 99, a collapse triggered by Jamie Porter’s four‑wicket burst which turned the game firmly in Essex’s favour.
Chasing a modest 95 to win on the final morning, Essex completed the job in 18.1 overs, finishing on 99 for 3. Charlie Allison played a composed cameo, finishing 32 not out, and helped guide Essex safely over the line to secure the win by seven wickets.
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 11am with the gates opening at 10am.
Adult tickets start from £18 whilst young adults/students can enter at a reduced price of £12 and junior’s 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.
