Essex Cricket is delighted to announce an on-pitch concert this August at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford.
Tickets are now on sale for Stars of the West End present A Night of Abba on Saturday 16 August 2025.
Enjoy a sensational outdoor performance during the height of summer with dazzling vocals and a sensational live band during our fantastic tribute evening.
Dance on the outfield with one of our standing tickets or capture the show from the comfort of our private and executive dining areas. Bring your own pre-performance picnic or dine in our hospitality suites with your own private bar and superior viewing facilities.
Seated tickets are also available in the Woodland Group Stand, or select tickets in the Doug Insole Pavilion with your VIP wristband so you can come and go as you please, offering you exclusive access to the Pavilion Bar throughout the evening.
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the concert, with individual Adult tickets starting from just £15.
Hurry! There are only limited Early Bird tickets available, and prices will increase once 300 tickets have been sold.
| Location | Adult | Junior (U18) | 10+ Adults |
| Standing (Red) | £15 | £10 | £12 |
| Woodland Group Stand Seating (Green) | £20 | £15 | £16 |
| Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue) | £25 | £15 | £20 |
Purchase your tickets via the Essex Cricket website now!
All prices will increase by £5 per ticket once the Early Bird allocation has sold.
Accessible Tickets with carer provision are available for both concert dates. Limited accessible parking will be available at the ground on a first come, first served basis and will need to be pre-booked.
There will be ramp access onto the outfield with steward assistance available. Changing Places facilities will also be available at the ground during the performance.
To book accessible tickets, please contact our Membership & Ticketing Office direct on 01245 254010 or e-mail [email protected]
Limited Hospitality is available now with private tables of 10 or shared tables available in the Scrutton Bland Premier Suite.
Alternatively, why not enjoy an exclusive booking in one of our pitch-side Executive Boxes. With premium viewing facilities, you can choose from a two-course hot meal or a Tapas selection and dance the night away! Price also includes your entrance ticket.
| Location | Per Person | Table of 10 | Private Box |
| Scrutton Bland Premier Suite (Yellow) | £55 | £550 | N/A |
| Executive Boxes (Yellow) | £55 | £550 | From £1,650 |
All pricing includes VAT.
For more information or to book your Hospitality package, call Julie Ager from our Commercial Team on 01245 254063 or e-mail [email protected]
Saturday 16 August – Stars of the West End present A Night of Abba
Main performance will begin at 7:30pm
Gates will open 120 minutes before performance (5:30pm)
Performance run time is approximately 100 minutes plus a 20-minute interval
Vitality Blast returns to Fortress Chelmsford on Sunday 01 June and you could be there!
The 2025 edition of the Vitality Blast will begin with the visit of both Somerset Women and Men during an action-packed double-header on Sunday 01 June!
Get two games for the price of one as Grace Scriven's side take to the field for a midday fixture, followed by Simon Harmer's team at 4pm for back-to-back games with West Country rivals, Somerset.
Tickets for this match are selling fast, but we have x5 pairs of tickets to giveaway in the build up to this year's competition, and you could be in with a chance of winning! Good luck!
Tickets are on sale for all of our home Men's and Women's T20 fixtures. Simply click on the banner below to purchase your tickets. Don't forget, this year's tournament starts on Sunday 01 June.
Jordan Cox has been ruled out of the England Test squad after sustaining an abdominal muscle injury while batting in the Rothesay County Championship match against Somerset.
Somerset's James Rew has replaced Jordan for the Test match against Zimbabwe on May 22 at Trent Bridge.
His injury will continued to be reviewed and we wish Jordan well for his rehabilitation back to full fitness.
Essex Women: Grace Scrivens (c), Lissy Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock, Flo Miller, Sophia Smale, Amara Carr (wk), Eva Gray, Esma MacGregor, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
The Blaze: Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont (c), Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Georgie Boyce, Orla Prendergast, Ella Claridge, Sarah Glenn, Josie Groves, Cassidy McCarthy, Grace Ballinger.
Umpires: Naeem Ashraf and Neil Mallender
Match Referee: Jason Swift
Toss: The Blaze won the toss and elected to bowl
Result:
A second century in three days from England’s Tammy Beaumont led The Blaze to a fourth straight win as they continue to set the pace in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition.
Essex captain Grace Scrivens impressed with a fine unbeaten 120 but 231 for nine from 50 overs always looked a difficult total to defend against their top-of-the-table opponents.
The England A batter had support from Jodi Grewcock (28) and Amara Carr (34) but from too few partners overall as Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast (3-32) and England leg spinner Sarah Glenn (3-36) took three wickets each.
Beaumont followed her unbeaten 112 against Hampshire at Trent Bridge on Sunday with 116 not out here, with backing from Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce (47) and England’s Amy Jones (41) as The Blaze won by five wickets with 55 balls to spare. Esmae MacGregor took three for 42 as the pick of the Essex bowlers.
Put in, Essex were 37 for two after 10 overs, left-arm seamer Grace Ballinger having dismissed Alice Macleod, bowled, and Cordelia Griffith, leg before.
Having been 17 for two, Scrivens and 20-year-old Jodi Grewcock built a decent recovery, adding 59 before the introduction of Ireland international Orla Prendergast brought about a mini-collapse.
Prendergast bowled Grewcock, on the back foot, and dealt Essex two more blows from balls banged in short, Florence Miller gloving behind and Sophia Smale chopping on, as 76 for two became 95 for five.
Scrivens found more support from Carr in adding 80 for the sixth-wicket, passing fifty from 79 balls with her fourth boundary, putting Essex in a decent position at 175 for five going into the last 10 overs.
But Glenn, after a wicketless first spell, returned to dismiss Carr, who skied to mid-off, and Eve Gray leg before with consecutive balls before Esmae MacGregor fell leg before in her next over. Ballinger could not complete her allocation after an injury in the field.
Scrivens survived a difficult chance to long-on on 92 off Josie Groves, going on to reach 100 with her ninth boundary from 120 balls, picking up another couple and a six, off Kathryn Bryce, as she and Kate Coppack added 35 for the ninth wicket.
The Essex attack struggled to contain Jones and Beaumont as the England duo propelled their side to 54 without loss in the opening powerplay. Jones eventually mistimed MacGregor to be caught at mid-on for 41 out of 92, Beaumont completing a second consecutive half-century from 54 balls with six fours and a six to the short straight boundary off Grewcock’s leg spin.
Jones gave way to Kathryn Bryce, with no let-up for Essex, the second-wicket pair putting on 104 in a 20-over partnership, Beaumont hitting her second six over the sightscreen at the athletics track end of the Haslegrave Ground, before Bryce feathered one behind.
Sarah Bryce and Georgie Boyce both holed out chasing - in vain - a bonus point on offer for winning inside 40 overs, and Prendergast was bowled swinging, before Beaumont, whose hundred came from 110 balls, restored order by hitting Gray square of the wicket for the winning boundary, her 13th to go with two sixes.
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header - Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
Essex Cricket are delighted to offer recreational clubs discounted Adult tickets for the Vitality Blast double-header on Thursday 12 June.
The day will feature back-to-back matches with Essex Women taking on Hampshire at 2:30pm, followed by Essex Men facing up to Glamorgan at 6:30pm. Now is your opportunity to gather your Club together for your annual cricket social to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Not only will you get two games for the price of one, but for a limited time only, you can also receive up to £20 off per adult ticket. Split the difference with your Members and raise some extra funds for your Club, or get as many of your team to the ground on a budget!
Whatever you decide, make sure you're wearing your Club gear and be prepared for a shout out on the night from our matchday announcers!
Club Group Offer Ticket Pricing
[table id=14 /]
Junior Tickets (17 & under) will be charged at £10 per ticket.
Terms and Conditions
A) Only recreational clubs in Essex are eligible for this offer.
B) Form must be completed by a Club official.
C) Offer not available online. Form submission and call back only.
D) Submissions must be made by no later than 5pm on Monday 02 June 2025.
E) All tickets must be paid for by no later than 5pm on Friday 06 June 2025.
F) All tickets will be supplied by the Essex Cricket Tix N Go App.
G) All tickets are for Thursday 12 June and cannot be transferred to another match.
H) Essex Cricket will only use your information for the purpose of this promotion
Submit your Request
The 50-over competition continues as Essex head to Loughborough for Matchday 5 against the table-toppers from Nottingham.
Andy Tennant's side will be full of confidence heading into the match after recording a first win in the competition on Sunday at Chelmsford against Lancashire Women but come up against Katie Gordon's The Blaze who have three wins from 4 games so far this season.
Essex Women have selected an unchanged 14-player squad for Tuesday that features Jodi Grewcock, who enjoyed an outstanding performance at the weekend taking 2/36 and hitting 73 not out with the bat.
Sophie Munro is the only absentee, who remains out through injury.
The East Midlands-based squad are led by Head Coach Craig Cumming, who has a wealth of England International experience at his disposal this season.
Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones and Sarah Glenn are three of these notable players, with the former currently captaining the side in the absence of the injured Kirstie Gordon.
Former Essex wicket-keeper batter Scarlett Hughes is also in The Blaze ranks, whilst the Australian Heather Graham also played for the Eagles back in 2014.
The Blaze squad: Kirstie Gordon (c), Grace Ballinger, Sarah Glenn, Georgie Boyce, Josie Groves, Cassidy McCarthy, Lucy Higham, Sarah Bryce, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Tammy Beaumont, Kathryn Bryce, Prisha Thanawala, Charley Phillips, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Ella Claridge, Georgia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Olivia Baker, Amy Wheeler, Scarlett Hughes, Heather Graham, Orla Prendergast.
Player to watch: The return of former Loughborough Lightning captain Georgia Elwiss to the East Midlands after four trophy-laden seasons with Southern Vipers adds proven experience and availability to The Blaze squad. The 33-year-old former England all-rounder’s 2024 campaign was among the best of her career, including 488 runs at 69.71 in the 50-over competition.
Young gun: Josie Groves has taken 20 List A wickets in the past two seasons yet the leg spinner has only just turned 20 and is still looking to realise her full potential both as a bowler and batter. An Under-19s World Cup finalist, she is likely to have a big part to play this season.
Final thought: Last year’s 20-over champions and 50-over finalists two years ago, The Blaze have added a fourth current England player in Amy Jones to the squad with all-rounders Orla Prendergast (Ireland) and Heather Graham (Australia) sharing overseas duties. Stung by failing to make the knock-out stage in last season’s 50-over competition, they will be eager to put that right.
If you are unable to attend any of the match days, the game will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone, which includes a Live Stream courtesy of our hosts.
Daily highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media. Live updates will also be provided through the Essex Women's X account.
Essex Women: Grace Scrivens (c), Lissy Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock, Flo Miller, Jo Gardner, Sophia Smale, Amara Carr (wk), Eva Gray, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
Lancashire Women: Eve Jones, Emma Lamb, Katie Mack, Seren Smale, Fi Morris, Danielle Collins, Ellie Threlkeld (c & wk), Kate Cross, Tara Norris, Grace Potts, Hannah Jones.
Umpires: James Middlebrook and Julia Jarvis
Match Referee: Sarah Bartlett
Scorers: Helen Hyde & Cindy Taimantle
Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bowl
Result:
Scorecard: View here
Jodi Grewcock struck her first half-century of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition as Essex overcame Lancashire at Chelmsford to break their duck in the tournament.
The left-hander finished unbeaten on 73 from 91 balls, accumulating singles and hitting only six boundaries as she shared a decisive fourth-wicket partnership of 89 from 88 with Flo Miller (41 from 48) and steered Essex over the line with 16 balls to spare.
Grewcock had earlier made a key contribution with the ball after Eve Jones (57 from 75) and Emma Lamb (43 from 53) gave Lancashire a strong platform with an opening stand of 106 from 117 – their third consecutive three-figure partnership.
But Grewcock (two for 36) and fellow leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood (three for 42) triggered a middle-order collapse to restrict the visitors to 230 for eight after seven wickets went down for 76.
Essex opted to bowl after winning the toss, but could not establish control in the powerplay as Jones and Lamb built steadily, consistently picking out gaps in the field.
Jones began to accelerate, dispatching Scrivens for successive boundaries – but there was a touch of fortune about the left-hander’s drive off Maqsood that took her past 50, with Jo Gardner fumbling a mid-off catch before the ball rolled on to the rope.
Maqsood did eventually dismiss Jones, who pulled her to deep midwicket, but Lancashire still looked on course for a sizeable total when Lamb and Katie Mack (39 from 56) guided them to 133 for one just after halfway.
Kate Coppack’s second spell triggered a shift in momentum as the seamer accounted for both Lamb and Seren Smale in the space of three balls and almost 11 overs went by without Lancashire finding the boundary.
Essex’s spinners stifled the middle order, capturing wickets at regular intervals and it was only due to a late flurry by Tara Norris and Grace Potts, who added 21 from the final three overs, that the visitors reached 230.
Scrivens (32 from 49) immediately made inroads, punching the first ball of her side’s reply to the cover fence while new opening partner Lissy MacLeod (45 from 47) also produced some classy strokeplay to ensure they kept pace with the required rate.
The pair put on 77 from 86 – Essex’s best opening stand of the tournament – but both fell in successive overs from Hannah Jones (three for 39), Scrivens bowled attempting to reverse-sweep the left-armer before MacLeod speared one to mid-off.
Grewcock and Cordelia Griffith nursed the innings along with a partnership of 42 but they were held up by the teasing off-breaks of Lamb (two for 39), who removed Griffith as Norris flung out her left hand to pouch a drive that had looked destined for the boundary.
However, that wicket brought Miller to the crease, providing Essex with fresh impetus and, although she was neatly caught on the boundary with 14 still needed, Grewcock sealed the win by slamming a Lamb full toss for four.
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header - Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
Essex: Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (c), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Thain, Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, Kasun Rajitha, Jamie Porter.
Somerset: Andy Umeed, Archie Vaughan, Tom Lammonby, Tom Abell, Tom Banton, James Rew (wk), Lewis Gregory (c), Craig Overton, Migael Pretorius, Josh Davey, Jack Leach.
Umpires: Nigel Llong & Ben Debenham
Match Referee: Phil Whitticase
Scorers: Polly Rhodes & Paul Parkinson
Toss: Somerset won the toss and chose to bowl first
Result: Somerset won by 3 wickets
James Rew’s tenth first class century guided Somerset to an unlikely first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season, a three-wicket success against Essex at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.
Having been 78 for five at one stage in their second innings, chasing 321 to win, the home side began the final day on 216 for six, still needing 105. But Rew took his score from 65 to a superb 116, off 189 balls, with 18 fours, sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 133 with Craig Overton, who contributed 53 not out, to complete a remarkable fightback.
Overton ended the game 25 minutes before lunch with a straight six off Simon Harmer, which took him to a 111-ball half-century notable for unbroken concentration and application in a pressure situation.
Essex had let things slip with some wayward bowling the previous evening and their bowlers found scant assistance in a last-day pitch that had aided seam and spin considerably in the previous sessions.
They had to settle for three points, having been on top for long periods, while Somerset claimed a welcome 19 after a disappointing start to the campaign.
The Essex attack will have welcomed the first meaningful cloud cover of the match when play began with 12 overs to a second new ball, Sam Cook opening up from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion End and off-spinner Harmer operating from the River End.
Overton, unbeaten on four overnight, played and missed at the first delivery of the morning from Cook, but soon he and Rew were eating into the 105 runs needed for victory, the latter clipping Cook through wide mid-on for the first boundary and edging a second to third man off the next ball.
Overton reigned himself in commendably against Harmer, content to pick gaps in the field for ones and twos, while using his long reach to negate any spin. Rew, who had looked in prime form the previous evening, was the more aggressive as the score passed 250 and he moved into the 90s.
With the sun breaking through, the pair safely negotiated the opening half hour, experiencing few alarms. But there was still the matter of the new ball, taken at 258 for six, with a further 63 needed and Essex under pressure to break the stand.
Cook began his second spell of the morning with it. At the other end Jamie Porter found the inside edge of Rew’s bat only for the ball to fly past wicketkeeper Michael Pepper for four, taking the Somerset man onto 97.
His 161-ball century came up with a back-foot shot through the leg side for two off Porter, a mature innings from a young player who looks destined for an international future. There was still work to do, but Somerset were starting to look firm favourites as Overton brought up the hundred partnership.
Essex quickly reverted to Harmer from the River End, who beat the outside edge of Rew’s bat in his first over with the harder ball. But it was a rare moment of anxiety for Somerset as Overton, who had moved patiently to 27 without hitting a boundary, opened his shoulders to drive Hamer through mid-off for four.
Rew also sensed victory was assured as he cut loose with some sweetly-struck shots. But his brilliant contribution ended with just nine runs required, lbw aiming to launch Harmer over the leg side.
It mattered little as Overton off-drove Harmer for four and then smashed the ball back over his head, pumping a fist as celebrations began in the home dressing room.
An injury to centurion Jordan Cox marred a strong Essex display on the third day of the County Championship Division One match with Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.
Fresh from his recall to the England squad, Cox extended his overnight score of 61 to an unbeaten 103 as his side stretched their second innings total from 163 for four to 259 all out. But he retired hurt immediately on reaching three figures, having collapsed clutching his lower left side after taking the single that put him on 99.
Cox took no further part in the Essex innings and was replaced in the field when Somerset began their quest for 321 to win on a pitch still offering assistance to seam and spin. They closed on 216 for six, Lewis Gregory making 57 and James Rew 65 not out.
The first hour’s play saw Cox and Michael Pepper build rapidly on the Essex overnight advantage of 224.
Cox reverse swept Jack Leach for boundaries off successive deliveries before greeting the introduction of Craig Overton with a glorious extra cover drive for four. Pepper leant good support and the pair had taken the total to 234 for four when misfortune struck.
Cox had been in some discomfort and the quick single off Leach on the cusp of his ton ended with him prostrate the bowler’s end. After several minutes of treatment, he was helped to his feet, but he continued only long enough to slog-sweep Leach for four and complete a 155-ball hundred.
Pepper glanced a four off Overton to take the lead past 300, but on 36 became the first of three victims in quick succession for Migael Pretorius, leg before on the back foot.
Noah Thain edged to wicketkeeper Rew, while Sam Cook top-edged a pull shot to be caught at fine leg. Leach weighed in with the wickets of Kasun Rajitha and Simon Harmer as Essex plunged from 252 for four to 259 all out.
A lead of 321 still looked secure enough on a pitch which had aided bowlers from the first morning. So it appeared, as Somerset’s fragile top order misfired again, leaving the 91 for five at tea.
Andy Umeed edged a catch to second slip off Jamie Porter to depart without a run on the board and soon it was eight for two as Archie Vaughan top-edged a shot to leg off Cook to give a simple catch to mid-wicket.
Harmer was introduced from eighth over and struck first with the total on 54, Tom Lammonby falling lbw for 30 to a ball that turned past the left-hander’s forward defensive shot and struck his back pad.
Tom Abell played well to reach 29 before a sharply turning delivery from Harmer nipped back to clip his off stump and make it 71 for five. With only seven runs added, Tom Banton, on 13, went to reverse sweep the spinner and was judged to have got a touch on the way to the ball reaching Dean Elgar at slip, a decision which clearly frustrated the Somerset player.
Skipper Gregory and Rew were unbeaten at the tea interval and both came out for the final session in positive mood.
Anything remotely loose was punished mercilessly with boundaries in a counter-attacking partnership that only served to highlight previous batting inadequacies. Gregory raced to a half-century off 80 balls, with 7 fours.
Rew was equally impressive and was unbeaten on 37 when his captain brought up the 100 stand with a flashing cut for four off Rajitha. But the same over saw Gregory attempt another back-foot forcing shot only to get a thick inside edge onto his stumps.
Rew’s 10th four, guided to third-man off Cook, brought up a fluent fifty off 91 balls and the Somerset 200. He was still there at the close with a further 105 needed against a refreshed attack and the second new ball tomorrow.
Jordan Cox scored a chanceless half century as Essex assumed control at the halfway stage of the Rothesay County Championship First Division match against Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton.
The England batsman finished day two unbeaten on 61, shared in partnerships of 57 and 61 for the third and fourth wickets with Tom Westley and Matt Critchley respectively and helped the visitors close on 163-4 in their second innings, a significant lead of 224 in what has been a low-scoring contest up to now.
Somerset's pursuit of a first win this season was again undermined by their frailty with the bat, off spinner Simon Harmer claiming 4-43 as the home side were dismissed for 145 in 46.3 overs. Seamers Sam Cook, Jamie Porter and Kasun Rajitha weighed in with two wickets apiece and Josh Davey top-scored with 27 for Somerset, who conceded a first-innings deficit of 61. From the relative security of 46-1, the home side lost nine wickets for 99 runs in an alarming slide reminiscent of the second innings collapse that saw them lose to Surrey at The Oval in their last match.
There was no sign of the carnage to come when Andrew Umeed and Davey safely negotiated the first half hour to stage a second wicket stand of 46 in the face of accurate seam bowling from Cook and Porter. But that soon changed with the advent of Harmer from the end where fellow spinner Jack Leach enjoyed such success on the first day.
Sure enough, his off breaks effected a breakthrough in his third over, Umeed suffering an inexplicable rush of blood to the head and swishing across the line to a ball that rattled into his stumps. Having looked rock-solid in chiseling 20 from 48 deliveries, he was rightly abashed at the manner of his dismissal.
Intent upon being positive, new batsman Tom Lammonby guided a ball from Harmer to the unprotected third man boundary to bring up Somerset's 50, while an increasingly authoritative Davey drove Porter through the covers for another four. It was Davey's final act, Porter beating his defences two deliveries later and bowling him for 27 with the score on 56.
There was an altogether different feel to proceedings when Harmer angled a ball across Tom Abell's body and found his outside edge, Cox taking a straightforward catch at slip. Abell had gone for seven and Somerset were 63-4 and under pressure. Harmer further turned up the heat with a repeat of the delivery that had undone Abell to dismiss Lammonby for 13, Cox again demonstrating safe hands at slip.
And worse followed for the home side, Tom Banton falling for 12 in the act of aiming an injudicious drive at a delivery from Rajitha that pitched outside off stump and made a mess of his stumps via an inside edge. Charged with the task of surviving until the lunch interval, the seventh wicket pair of James Rew and Lewis Gregory failed. Extracting late movement off the pitch, Rajitha persuaded Rew to push half forward and nick a length ball behind.
Having surrendered six wickets for the addition of 51 runs in 14.4 overs, Somerset were reeling, their supporters no doubt relieved when lunch cut short the carnage with the score on 106-7. Any respite was short-lived, however, Gregory shouldering arms to a straight one from Cook and being bowled for 14 as mayhem and mishap resumed in the afternoon session.
Opting to meet fire with fire, Migael Pretorius helped himself to a trio of boundaries and raised a quickfire 24 from 20 balls before Harmer took a startling diving catch off his own bowling to remove the South African. He was denied a five-wicket haul by Porter, who had Craig Overton caught by Cook at mid-on to bring the curtain down on an innings the cider county will want to forget in a hurry.
Somerset were desperately in need of early wickets and Overton obliged, pinning Paul Walter in his crease without scoring. Thereafter, the home side were held up by Dean Elgar and Westley, who mustered stiff resistance on a pitch that was becoming increasingly prone to variable bounce.
Essex were 106 runs ahead when Gregory induced the ball to nip back at Elgar and bowl him for 23. But there was no shifting Westley and Cox, who reached the sanctuary of the tea interval with the score on 59-2.
Somerset felt confident they had run out Westley for 15 in the 26th over, Leach scoring a direct hit on the stumps from cover point as the batsmen scampered a single with the score on 72-2. But square leg umpire Nigel Llong gave the Essex captain the benefit of the doubt, much to the chagrin of hard-done-by Somerset players.
Cox rubbed salt into the wound by cover driving Overton for four to bring up the 50 partnership soon afterwards as the third wicket partnership began to flourish. Not surprisingly, loud cheers rang around the ground when Overton trapped Westley lbw for 26 to reduce the visitors to 102-3 in the 35th over.
Having added a valuable 57 runs in alliance with his captain, Cox now took centre stage, raising a potentially crucial 50 from 88 balls with eight fours. He found a willing ally in Critchley, who made 28 before edging Leach to slip in the final over of the day.
Jack Leach took centre stage in a dramatic Essex batting collapse on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship First Division match with Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.
The visitors looked to be coping well with a green pitch when progressing to 115 for two early in the afternoon session, having lost what looked likely to prove an important toss. But England left-arm spinner Leach found plenty of turn from the River End and claimed three wickets in quick succession to help reduce Essex to 155 for seven at tea.
They were eventually bowled out for 206, Noah Thain top-scoring with 41. Leach finished with three for 35 from 30 accurate overs, while seamer Migael Pretorius returned three for 24. By the close, Somerset had replied with nine for one, losing Archie Vaughan for a duck.
All eyes were on potential seam movement when Essex began their innings on a wicket barely distinguishable in colour to the outfield. But, while Somerset’s opening bowlers beat the bat on occasions, there was no sign of extravagant bounce or deviation off the surface.
Dean Elgar and Paul Walter took the total to 40 in the 14th over before the latter, on 22, miscued an intended straight drive off Craig Overton and chipped a simple catch to Josh Davey at mid-on.
Leach was introduced as early as the 21st over with the total on 55. He immediately began to cause problems operating around the wicket and turning the ball sharply at times away from the right-handers.
Elgar had progressed patiently to 30 when edging Pretorius just short of Overton at second slip. The following delivery crashed into the left-hander’s pads moving across his stumps and resulted in a successful lbw appeal to make the score 66 for two.
Still there was no sign of the carnage ahead as Essex went in to lunch on 81 for two, with Tom Westley on 13 and Jordan Cox 10. A further 34 runs were added before Davey made what proved a key breakthrough in the 44th over, his first after lunch, Westley edging to Overton at second slip and departing for 20.
The seamer quickly followed up by sending back Cox for 26, comfortably caught by Vaughan at mid-wicket off a mishit to make it 118 for four. It was then that Leach began to weave his spell, maintaining an exemplary line and length to send back Michael Pepper, Matt Critchley and Simon Harmer in the space of four overs.
Pepper edged low to Overton at second slip to fall without scoring, while Critchley was lbw pushing forward and Harmer also leg-before defending off the back foot. At 136 for seven, Essex had lost five wickets for the addition of only 21 runs.
Thain was unbeaten on 26 at tea and doing his best to stem the slide. His solid resistance continued into the final session, aided by Sam Cook, dropped on eight by Tom Abell, deputising at second slip for Overton who was temporarily off the field, with Pretorius the unlucky bowler.
Somerset took the second new ball at 178 for seven, Pretorius striking in the first over with it as Cook, still on eight, top-edged a pull shot to Vaughan at fine leg. It was an overdue change of luck for the South African, who had beaten the bat on numerous occasions. His next over saw the end of Thain’s impressive contribution, caught behind driving, having battled away for 112 balls.
Last man Jamie Porter contributed a useful 19 before being bowled by Overton, leaving Somerset with a tricky five overs to bat at the end of a day played in warm sunshine. The fifth ball, sent down by Cook, saw Vaughan edge a catch to third slip.
Off-spinner Harmer opened the bowling at the end Leach exploited to such good effect and will be looking to play an equally important role tomorrow.
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header - Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
Coming off the back of a defeat at Taunton Vale against Somerset on Thursday, the Essex Women return home on Sunday to face off against the Lancashire Thunder.
Still yet to find a win in the competition, the group led by Grace Scrivens will be looking to bounce back and secure victory against the Thunder, who find themselves in second place.
Team Director, Andy Tennant, has selected a 14-player squad for the game against Lancashire.
The Lancashire Thunder are led by Captain Ellie Threlkeld and Head Coach Chris Chambers.
The Old Trafford outfit also has Kate Cross in their ranks, a key player for the Thunder both on and off the field who was the first woman to join the Lancashire academy back in 2006.
Around her international commitments, she is a key part of the Thunder’s drive for regional success, not just as an opening bowler but as a lower order batter.
Lancashire squad: Ellie Threlkeld (c), Olivia Bell, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Phoebe Graham, Liberty Heap, Hannah Jones, Alana King, Emma Lamb, Ailsa Lister, Katie Mack, Fi Morris, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris, Hannah Rainey, Seren Smale.
Player to watch: Eve Jones | Linchpin top order batter. The seasoned left-hander has been in impressive domestic form, and if she keeps it up, Ellie Threlkeld’s side will be strong contenders in the competition.
Young gun: Grace Potts | Fast bowler Grace Potts is on the verge of senior England honours, having toured South Africa with them before Christmas. A sparkling summer will give the 22-year-old a great chance of debuting under new national coach, Charlotte Edwards.
Final thought: Lancashire’s squad looks stronger on paper than recent results might indicate. A solid run of appearances from England stars Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone would provide a major lift. Strong performances from fringe internationals Mahika Gaur, Emma Lamb, and Seren Smale could also prove decisive. Australian duo Katie Mack and leg-spinner Alana King are set to share overseas duties in the first half of the 2025 season
If you are unable to attend any of the match days, the game will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone, through the YouTube livestream.
Daily highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media. Live updates will also be provided through the Club’s various social platforms and channels.
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header - Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
Essex Cricket are beyond happy to share that Sam Cook has signed a three-year extension with the Club.
Current Vice-Captain, Cook has excelled since making his Essex first-class debut against the West Indies in 2017 and was officially capped by the Club in 2020. The extension keeps him at Essex until the end of the 2028 season.
The Chelmsford-born bowler has an outstanding first-class record, taking 318 wickets in 88 first-class matches at an average of 19.77. After claiming 43 wickets in just 11 matches at an average of 17.30 last season, Cook is the latest Essex player to be called up to the England Test squad for the upcoming match against Zimbabwe on May 22.
A skillful right-arm seam bowler with both the Dukes and Kookaburra ball, the Essex Academy graduate also boasts a record of 92 wickets in 84 T20 matches and was part of the Club's historic 2019 double-winning season.
On signing his new deal with the Club, Sam said: "Extending my contract with Essex was an easy decision.
"I have had some special memories at the Club during my career so far, and I'm incredibly happy to be staying for another three years.
"Essex is a special place for me, and the support I've received from the members and fans has been fantastic.
"I am determined to repay that faith with my performances on the pitch."
Director of Cricket, Chris Silverwood said: "Sam has proved himself as one of the best bowlers in the country and we are delighted that he has extended his contract with the Club.
"He is an integral member of the squad both on and off the field and to have him at Essex for three more years is brilliant.
"He has thoroughly deserved his recent maiden call up to the England Test squad and I am sure we will see Sam take even more wickets in the years to come."
Come down to Chelmsford this summer to watch the Eagles live in our new T20 shirt.
Our first home Vitality Blast T20 fixture features a double header - Essex Women v Somerset Women (12pm) & Essex Men v Somerset Men (4pm).
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your Vitality Blast T20 tickets booked.
