Essex Men head over to Wales for round six of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, looking to make it back-to-back wins, before heading North to face Durham on Sunday.
Following a dominant display with both bat and ball against Worcestershire Rapids last time out which resulted in a 107-run win, Essex travel to Cardiff to face Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens on Friday.
Centuries from Tom Westley and Matt Critchley powered Essex to a commanding 107-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Westley's 129 from 104 balls, his second List A century of the season, and an unbeaten 102 from just 75 deliveries by Critchley helped Essex post an imposing 376 for five. Noah Thain also continued his outstanding form, making 75 as he and Westley shared a record 139-run second-wicket partnership for Essex against Worcestershire.
In reply, Worcestershire lost two wickets inside the second over before Jake Libby anchored the chase with 109. Gareth Roderick (36) and Kasif Ali (51) offered support, but regular wickets ensured the visitors never seriously threatened the target.
Simon Harmer claimed the final two wickets, including Libby, as Worcestershire were bowled out 107 runs short, securing Essex's second victory of the Metro One Day Cup campaign.
Tom Huggins' side now face the challenge of Glamorgan, who sit eighth in Group B, four points behind sixth-placed Essex after winning just one of their opening five matches.
Tom Huggins has named a 13-player squad for the trip to Wales.
Jamie Porter is being rested for the Glamorgan match. Robin Das remains unavailable.
Captain: TBC
2025 finish: 9th (Group A)
2025 leading run-scorer: Asa Tribe (401)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Zain ul Hassan & Ned Leonard (6)
Why they can win the competition: This is a competition that has brought success for Glamorgan, with two titles in the past five years. With five players missing, they will be hindered by The Hundred more than ever before, but their youthful talents might cause a few upsets.
Player to watch: Andy Gorvin. Despite just 79 career matches, at 29 years of age Gorvin will be one of the most experienced players in the side. His white-ball, box-of-tricks skillset provides that unpredictable but reliable bowler you want in your side.
Young gun: Romano Franco. Glamorgan will likely have at least six under-23s playing but Franco is the most likely to stand out. With Mason Crane and Ben Kellaway absent, the 19-year-old slow-left-armer already has a year of this tournament under his belt.
Final thought: Hopes might not be too high for this year’s edition with Glamorgan currently coach and captain-less, but what it will bring is a chance to see who announce themselves next, as Asa Tribe and Tom Norton did last year.
Victories were rolling in for Essex Men as they secured a third consecutive win, defeating Glamorgan by 190 runs at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Tom Westley won the toss and opted for his side to bat first. After early loss of openers Robin Das and Matt Critchley, Westley continued his fine form with a century, while youngster Charlie Allison supported his captain and surpassed the hundred mark.
Westley’s 141 and Allison’s 131 meant that the pair shared a 231-run third-wicket partnership. Allison struck five sixes and 15 fours, and Westley contributed three sixes and 16 fours.
Simon Harmer (42 from 22 balls) once again posted important runs at the back end of the innings, which took Essex’s total to 371-6.
Glamorgan’s reply never gained momentum. Although captain Kiran Carlson made 64 and Asa Tribe with 71, Essex’s disciplined bowling yet again triggered a collapse.
Harmer led the bowling with a five-wicket haul (5-47) and was reinforced with key strikes from Jamie Porter and Shane Snater to reduced Glamorgan to 181 all out inside just 33 overs.
Previous Team Lineups
Essex Men: Robin Das, Matt Critchley, Tom Westley (C), Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, Simon Harmer, Noah Thain, Simon Fernandes (WK), Jamal Richards, Shane Snater, Jamie Porter.
Glamorgan Men: Eddie Byrom, Asa Tribe, Henry Hurle, Kiran Carlson (C), Will Smale (WK), Billy Root, Zain ul Hassan, Dan Douthwaite, Ben Morris, Ned Leonard, Romano Franco.
HIGHLIGHTS
Captain: Kasey Aldridge
2025 finish: 6th (Group B)
2025 leading run-scorer: Will Rhodes (429)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Will Rhodes (14)
Why they can win the competition: Durham haven’t hit the heights in limited-overs cricket in recent seasons, the Vitality T20 Blast included, but they’re in such a good position at the top of Division Two in the Rothesay County Championship and can give this competition the full monty.
Player to watch: Former England Test captain Ben Stokes is available for this competition having retired from international cricket last month. All-rounder Stokes, a star of the 2019 50-over World Cup triumph, will be an invaluable learning tool for Durham’s up and comers.
Young gun: Possibly the time for left-arm quick James Minto to break through in senior cricket. Limited first-team exposure since debuting aged 16 in 2024 but has just enjoyed a productive five-wicket return for England U19s in an ODI series win against South Africa.
Final thought: South African batter David Bedingham is registered as an overseas but is unlikely to feature. His compatriot fast bowler Duanne Olivier will fill that role. Emilio Gay is available prior to the start of next month’s Rothesay Test series against Pakistan.
Despite a superb century from Feroze Khushi on his List A debut, Essex fell to a two-wicket DLS defeat against Durham at Chester-le-Street.
Reduced to 45 overs per side by rain, Essex posted 227 before Durham, set 232 under DLS, reached their target with five balls remaining thanks to an unbeaten 126 from Alex Lees.
After slipping to 38 for three, Khushi and Josh Rymell rescued the innings with a superb 101-run partnership. Khushi struck a magnificent 101 from 101 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Rymell added an assured 40 in just his third List A appearance. Ryan ten Doeschate chipped in with 21 as Essex closed on a competitive total.
Essex fought back well with the ball after Durham's strong start. Simon Harmer removed Cameron Bancroft and Scott Borthwick, while debutant Luc Benkenstein claimed his maiden senior wicket by bowling David Bedingham. Aron Nijjar also struck as Graham Clark departed for 24, reducing Durham to 105 for four.
Sean Dickson (31) provided support for Lees before Ben Allison and Harmer picked up further wickets to keep Essex in contention. A run out from Josh Rymell briefly raised hopes late on, but Lees remained unbeaten to guide Durham to victory and move the hosts above Essex in the group standings.
Previous Team Lineups
Durham Men: Graham Clark, Alex Lees, Scott Borthwick (C), David Bedingham, Cameron Bancroft (WK), Sean Dickson, Liam Trevaskis, Luke Doneathy, Paul van Meekeren, Chris Rushworth, Jack Campbell.
Essex Men: Nick Browne (WK), Alastair Cook, Tom Westley (C), Josh Rymell, Feroze Khushi, Ryan ten Doeschate, Simon Harmer, Aron Nijjar, Shane Snater, Ben Allison, Luc Benkenstein
Click here for the tournament preview. This gives you an in-depth breakdown into each team the Essex Men will face in the 2026 Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign: Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Glamorgan, Hampshire, Middlesex, Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids, and Yorkshire.
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