Metro Bank One Day Cup
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Sunday 27 April | 10:30am start
The new era of professional women's cricket continues on Sunday as Essex Women take on Warwickshire Women in the second fixture of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
The Women’s 50-over competition heads to Chelmsford for the opening home match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Sunday 27 April.
Essex were defeated by Durham Women at the Banks Home Riverside on Wednesday but will be looking to get the first points on the board this weekend in front of the home crowd.
Squad
Team Director Andy Tennant has selected a 15-player squad for this weekend's home fixture that features Sophia Smale, who top scored with the bat for the Eagles against Durham Women.
Grace Scrivens will captain the side, whilst Sophie Munro is an addition to the squad which travelled to Chester-le-Street.
The Opposition
Under the captaincy of Georgia Davis and Head Coach Ali Maiden, Warwickshire Women's squad started their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign with a nail-biting tie against Hampshire Women at Edgbaston.
The Bears are led by Birmingham-born, Georgia Davis, who was part of the recent England A tour alongside Essex's Grace Scrivens, Jodi Grewcock and Eva Gray. The off-spinner is a key figure, both as captain and wicket-taker, whilst their squad also includes former Essex player, Amu Surenkumar and Dutch International, Sterre Kallis, who is on loan for the season from Yorkshire.
Young batter Davina Perrin, fresh from a strong U19 World Cup and A Tour, adds flair at the top of the order, alongside Abbey Freeborn who top-scored with 70 runs this week.
The visitors squad features three spin bowlers in Davis, Charis Pavely and Hannah Baker, all with England experience, bringing skill and depth to the bowling attack.
Player to watch:Georgia Davis | Off-spinner Davis has thoroughly vindicated her decision to quit the police for full-time cricket by rising into the England set-up. Just back from an England A tour to Australia, Birmingham-born Davis will be looking to captain her beloved Warwickshire to success and pile up wickets to advance her international career.
Young gun:Davina Perrin | Warwickshire will look to 18-year-old Perrin for big runs at the top of the order. The Wolverhampton-born batter is an exciting stroke-player and will take confidence from her productive England U19s World Cup campaign in Malaysia in January which earned her a late call up for the A Tour to Australia.
Final thought: Edgbaston has a big place in the history of women’s cricket. There is talent in the squad and much experience in the coaching set up with Ali Maiden (Head Coach), Darren Franklin (Assistant Coach) and Kabir Ali (Bowling Coach).
How To Watch
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.
Tickets
Essex Members are able to access this fixture on presentation of a valid card and have access to the Doug Insole Pavilion and benches throughout the match.
Unallocated tickets are available for just £8, whilst an upgraded Ticket+ can be purchased for £15 which permits access to the Doug Insole Pavilion and Members facilities. Family tickets are on sale for £16 for two adults and two children, and juniors can access this match for £5.
Tickets can also be purchased on the gates when the ground opens to spectators at 9:30am.
To secure your seats for Sunday, visit the link below:
This Sunday marks a momentous occasion in the history of Essex Cricket as the Club prepares to host the professional Essex Women's side for the first time at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Essex Women will take on Warwickshire Women in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, with the fixture set to be a landmark moment for the Club and the wider game. It follows Wednesday’s opening clash in the competition – the first professional outing for the side – and now attention turns to bouncing back with a strong performance against the Birmingham-based side.
Head Coach Andy Tennant and his side will be aiming to get an opening win in the 50-over competition, and looking forward to returning to Chelmsford this weekend. Tennant, said: “Sunday’s match is a historic occasion for everyone associated with the Club. We’re incredibly proud to be playing in front of our home support at Chelmsford for the first time and we’d love to see as many people as possible coming down to get behind the team.
"It’s an important moment, not just for our players, but for the future of the women’s game in our county, and we hope it inspires a new generation.”
Supporters are encouraged to come along and be part of this exciting new chapter for Essex Women, and tickets are available to buy online now or on the gate from 9:30am, with play scheduled to begin at 10:30am.
Ticket Prices: Adult £8, Juniors £6 and Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Juniors) £16
Essex Cricket in the Community has published its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting the diverse range of programmes and initiatives across our club, school, and community networks over the past year.
The report offers an overview of how these initiatives, carried out by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, have supported, expanded, and diversified grassroots cricket across Essex and East London, all while ensuring that cricket is the game for all.
Dan Feist, Chief Executive Officer at Essex Cricket, said: “Last year, the power of community and stakeholder partnership created so many robust examples of people from every corner of our region being provided the opportunity to Fly like an Eagle.
"I hope you enjoy reading more about them in this report."
Rachel Lewis, Chair at Essex Cricket in the Community Board said: "The Essex Cricket in the Community team will continue to adapt to the opportunities and challenges that allow the Excite, Engage, Enhance vision to really take shape, and I am very excited to be a part of the next chapter.
"Please have a read of this brilliant Impact Report."
If you or your organisation are interested in learning more about our efforts and how you can help make a positive impact on the lives of people in Essex and East London through cricket, please reach out to via email at: [email protected]
Rothesay County Championship or Vitality WIT20? Or, both?
There is so much cricket on offer in Chelmsford this summer with the Rothesay County Championship getting underway - against Surrey, no less - on Friday 04 April.
England Women are also in CM2 for a blockbuster Spring Bank Holiday T20 against West Indies Women, you can't miss this one!
And the Metro Bank One Day Cup returns, but this time with Men's and Women's competitions throughout the summer.
Tickets for every match are now available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get your summer of cricket booked in.
Essex: Grace Scrivens (c), Jo Gardner, Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock, Flo Miller, Lissy Macloed, Sophia Smale, Amara Carr (wk), Eva Gray, Kate Coppack, Esmae MacGregor.
Match Details
Umpires: Simon Widdup & Alan Clark Match Referee: Ian Herbert Scorers: G Maddison & WK Telford Toss: Durham won the toss and chose to bowl first Result: Durham win
Durham dominated Essex by nine wickets in the opening match of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Banks Homes Riverside. A brilliant four-wicket spell from rising star, Phoebe Turner, followed by a composed 93* from New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, led Durham to a commanding win.
Turner (21), who impressed with the ball in last season’s regional 50-over competition, was the standout performer with figures of 4-33 from eight overs. Her effort helped bowl Essex out for 177 in just 48 overs after Durham elected to field. Fellow seamer, Grace Thompson, also impressed on her professional debut, claiming 2-34, while experienced leg-spinner, Katie Levick, contributed with 3-28.
Essex struggled to gain momentum after they were reduced to 65-5 in the 20th over. Despite a resilient sixth-wicket partnership between Jodie Grewcock (31) and Sophia Smale (40), the visitors’ total proved insufficient. The pair added 53 for the sixth wicket, but Durham's bowlers kept the pressure on.
Durham’s chase, led by Bates—who is the club's first professional overseas signing—was anchored by a solid 173-run partnership with captain Hollie Armitage (64* off 87 balls). Bates’ 93* off 103 balls, which included 14 boundaries, guided Durham to victory in just 33 overs, securing them the five-point win.
Last year's leading wicket-taker, Thompson, set the tone early with some clinical bowling. Thompson, first struck Jo Gardner, trapping her with an lbw. Turner removed Essex captain, Grace Scrivens, for 19, who was caught behind. Turner continued her assault, dismissing Cordelia Griffith and Lissy Macleod, the latter off a top-edged catch to herself.
Essex were in further trouble, as Flo Miller fell to a superb diving catch by Abi Glen at first slip, leaving them 46-5. Grewcock and Smale’s stand under the Riverside floodlights brought some respite. Levick then had Grewcock and Smale stumped and Essex were 145-7 in the 42nd over. Levick and Turner then cleaned up the tail to bowl Essex out, with 2.3 overs remaining.
While the chase wasn’t entirely without drama, with Durham losing early opener Emma Marlow (lbw to Kate Coppack for 5), Bates and Armitage steadied the ship. Bates, with 348 international appearances under her belt, played a calm and composed knock, reaching her fifty off 68 balls. Armitage followed soon after, also bringing up her half-century off 75 balls, as Durham coasted to victory.
The win gives Durham the perfect start to their campaign, with both the bat and ball firing in all departments.
Purchase your Essex vs Somerset Double Header tickets!
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.
Durham Women v Essex Women
Women's Metro Bank One Day Cup
Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Wednesday 23 April | 10:30am start
A new era of women's cricket begins tomorrow as Essex Women take on Durham Women in the opening fixture of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
The Women's One Day Cup gets underway with a thrilling curtain-raiser as Durham host Essex in what promises to be an exciting encounter between the two sides.
The launch of Tier One marks a landmark moment in the evolution of the domestic game in England & Wales. With the introduction of a restructured, professionalised system, the 2025 season signals a positive step toward creating a sustainable and competitive environment for professional female cricketers.
More than just a competition, Tier One is also about raising the profile of the women's game, creating fan engagement and embedding professionalism.
At Essex Cricket, we are poised to break down barriers and empower the next generation of female cricketers in Essex and the wider regions.
Squad
Head Coach Andy Tennant has selected a 14-player squad for the season opener, featuring key players Grace Scrivens, who will captain the side, and Jodi Grewcock.
The duo make their return to the Essex lineup following their recent involvement with England A during the tour of Australia earlier this month.
Grace Scrivens: Durham Preview
The Opposition
The Durham Women squad is led by former England captain and World Cup winner Danielle Hazell, with current England A 50-over captain Hollie Armitage serving as the Women's captain.
In preparation for the 2025 season, the Northern outfit bolstered their ranks with the signing of England seamer Lauren Filer and former Eagle Mady Villiers, both on three-year deals.
Durham squad:Hollie Armitage (c), Suzie Bates, Leah Dobson, Katherine Fraser, Abi Glen, Bess Heath, Trudy Johnson, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Mia Rogers, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Mady Villiers.
Durham Preview
Player to watch: Captain Hollie Armitage promises to be a talismanic presence. She bats, bowls leg-spin, fields superbly and is one of the best leaders in English cricket. Batting is her main suit, and she will be hoping big runs will help her go from the fringes of England’s team and be a regular pick.
Young gun: All-rounder Phoebe Turner has impressed in Northern Diamonds colours in the last couple of seasons, including a match-winning six for 20 in a 50-over match against Lancashire Thunder last September with her seamers. Dynamic with the bat in the middle order too. There’s a bit of Nat Sciver-Brunt about the 21-year-old.
Final thought: Durham will be confident they can challenge the likes of Surrey and The Blaze this summer, though a lot rests on the shoulders of Hollie Armitage and New Zealand captain Suzie Bates with the bat. Bates has penned an overseas deal for the full summer at the Banks Homes Riverside. England pacer Lauren Filer will bring an X-Factor to their bowling attack.
How To Watch
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.
Tickets
For anyone planning to join the Eagles in Chester-le-Street, tickets can be purchased directly from Durham’s website in advance.
These are priced at £12.50 for adults and £4 for juniors aged between 5-15.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the link below:
Day Four of the Rothesay County Championship clash between Essex and Worcestershire is set to be a thrilling finale — and supporters can attend for free of charge at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground!
With Essex firmly on the hunt for a first win of the 2025 campaign, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the match with our visitors trailing by 109 runs at Chelmsford.
Gates open from 10am with play scheduled to begin at 11am.
Essex v Worcestershire
Rothesay County Championship
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Friday 18 - Monday 21 April 2025 | 11am start
Team News
Essex: Paul Walter, Charlie Allison, Tom Westley (c), Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Thain, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Kasun Rajitha, Jamie Porter.
Worcestershire: Jake Libby, Gareth Roderick (wk), Kashif Ali, Rob Jones, Adam Hose, Brett D'Oliveira (c), Matthew Waite, Ethan Brookes, Tom Taylor, Ben Allison, Jacob Duffy.
Match Details
Umpires: Steve O'Shaughnessy & Rob White Match Referee: Steve Davis Toss: Worcestershire won the toss and chose to bowl first
Jamie Porter helped wrap up a nervy first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season for Essex on the final day against Worcestershire with the 22nd five-wicket haul of his career.
The 31-year-old pace bowler, the leading wicket-taker in Division One last season, added three more wickets to the three he had taken the day before as Worcestershire were bowled out for 266, 28 runs short of their target. Porter finished with 6-52 from 24.4 overs.
However, the victory was not achieved without some belated anxiety. The 23-year-old all-rounder Ethan Brookes, patience personified earlier in his innings, threw caution to the wind when the ninth wicket went down and launched a one-man pyrotechnic show that included seven sixes in a scintillating 88 from 105 balls before becoming Porter’s final victim.
Both teams arrived on day four believing they not only could win but would win. Worcestershire needed 110 more runs and Essex required four wickets. They also needed to get it completed before forecast rain arrived during the afternoon.
That Essex had dug themselves out of a hole after being dismissed for 179 in the first innings and being able to set a target of 295, was largely due to Paul Walter’s century, the highest score on a hybrid wicket that was a seamer’s paradise.
To prove that point, Porter extracted some extra bounce from the pitch to claim his fourth wicket of the innings with the second ball of his second over of an overcast morning. Worcestershire had only added a quickly scampered single to their overnight 185-6 when Matthew Waite played on to depart for 27 after a painstaking two-hour stay.
Worcestershire were still 103 runs away from celebrating their own first win of the campaign when Tom Taylor got a thick edge to another Porter lifting delivery and was caught at first slip by Walter.
Rajitha, replacing Porter in the attack, then knocked out Ben Allison’s leg stump to leave Worcestershire on the precipice.
Once the game was all over bar the shouting, Brookes decided to have some fun, smashing Simon Harmer for six over cow corner and then scooping and sweeping Kasun Rajitha for maximums off successive balls. His fourth six, again off Harmer and over Snater’s head on the square-leg boundary, took him to a 73-ball fifty.
Another six, his fifth in five overs, landed in the Tom Pearce Stand at the River End before Porter returned to take the new-ball with Worcestershire still requiring 53 to win.
A sixth six, this one hit back over Snater’s head, brought up the fifty partnership for the last wicket, in 38 balls, of which Jacob Duffy had contributed exactly nought.
Even Porter came in for some treatment when Brookes deposited him over fine leg for six No7. But next ball, Brookes lobbed the ball up and Porter rushed in to take a caught-and-bowled right under the batsman’s nose.
Day Three Reaction: Noah Thain
Day Three Highlights
Day Three Report
Jamie Porter struck three key blows to carry Essex to the brink of a first Rothesay County Championship win of the season against Worcestershire.
The pace bowler, who now has 11 wickets in three games, left Essex on the cusp of victory — a result that had looked unlikely after they were dismissed for 179 on day one, having been put in to bat.
Porter made an immediate impact in Worcestershire’s second innings, removing Gareth Roderick with his second ball, then following up with the wickets of Rob Jones and Brett D’Oliveira — who had looked in ominous touch. Set 295 to win in five sessions (a nominal 165 overs), Worcestershire ended day three on 185-6, still 110 runs short, after bad light curtailed play with five overs remaining.
Essex’s second-innings total of 317 had earlier been bolstered by a belligerent lower-order effort from Shane Snater. The all-rounder smashed a six and five fours in a 53-ball 48, turning what had seemed a modest lead into a far more daunting target.
That challenge grew steeper when Porter trapped Roderick playing down the wrong line to the second ball of the innings in the only over possible before lunch.
As morning sunshine gave way to overcast skies, Worcestershire stumbled to 32-3 inside 14 overs. Jake Libby struck three boundaries in a short stay before top-edging Snater to mid-wicket, and Jones edged Porter to second slip.
Kashif Ali and Adam Hose steadied things briefly with a 46-run stand across 12 overs, finding regular boundaries. Hose looked comfortable until he was adjudged lbw to Noah Thain for 21—despite a confident stride forward—two balls after dispatching a powerful four through midwicket.
Kashif, who played some exquisite drives through extra cover, survived one scare when he was bowled on 36—only for the delivery to be ruled a no-ball. He had just passed fifty when spin was finally introduced on a hybrid surface that had shown little sign of deterioration. Simon Harmer, who bowled just two overs in the first innings, struck with his 11th delivery of the second as Kashif edged to slip. Wicket taken, 12 balls bowled, no runs conceded—Harmer’s job was done, and he returned to second slip.
D’Oliveira and Matthew Waite dug in with a 44-run partnership, picking off any loose deliveries. D’Oliveira cut Rajitha for four and pulled Porter for another, but was undone trying to create room and uppercut Porter straight to first slip.
Earlier in the day, Essex added 84 crucial runs to their overnight score for the loss of their final four wickets. Thain moved from 49 to his maiden first-class fifty with a glance off his hip just two balls into the day, before falling nine deliveries later — unable to withdraw his bat in time against Ethan Brookes. His 143-ball stay was the second-longest of the match after Paul Walter’s century.
Harmer and Snater added 41 in 10 overs either side of the new ball, before Tom Taylor removed Harmer—caught behind for Roderick’s seventh dismissal of the match—then trapped Rajitha lbw. Snater’s spirited knock came to an end shortly after, attempting one shot too many.
Day Two Highlights
Day Two Report
Paul Walter scored his third career first-class century to steady a listing Essex ship and help towards setting up a run chase for Worcestershire at Chelmsford.
The 30-year-old left-hander has been auditioning in the first three Rothesay County Championship matches for the vacant opening spot alongside Dean Elgar when the South African returns for paternity leave at the end of the month. Walter has already accumulated 317 runs in five innings this season at an average of 79.25.
His 104 from 154 balls guided Essex from 128-5, and a lead of just 105 at that point, to a more comfortable 211-6 when he was eventually out following a stand of 83 with Noah Thain. At the close, Essex were 233-6 with a lead of 210 and Thain had reach a career-best 49 not out.
Worcestershire’s first-innings total of 202 was built largely on a 102-run fifth wicket partnership between the not-out overnight pair of Adam Hose and Brett D’Oliveira, who both departed for identical scores of 48 from 78 balls. Both also fell victim to Essex’s Sri Lankan debutant Kasun Rajitha, whose pace helped him finish with 4-52.
Essex needed just six overs to wipe out the 23-run deficit as Walter and Charlie Allison built a patient first-wicket stand of 53. Allison had already creamed his brother Ben – late of Essex, now of Worcestershire – past cover point for four. But he was first out when he slashed at Matthew Waite and was caught behind.
Waite doubled his wicket tally when he had Tom Westley playing an indeterminate shot and being pinned lbw.
Walter combined with Jordan Cox in a big-hitting stand of 48 in seven overs that included three fours in one Tom Taylor over for Cox. However, in attempting to hammer Taylor out of the ground Cox chipped up tamely to mid-on and departed for 24 from 21 balls.
Walter was particularly strong off the backfoot where he gained the majority of his 13 boundaries. There was, in addition, a powerful hook off Jacob Duffy that brooked no argument.
Walter lost further partners in quick succession when Matt Critchley went for a wild swing at Ethan Brookes, who walked across to short midwicket to take the skier. And the injured Michael Pepper, again with the aid of Allison as his runner, lasted just seven balls before his off-stump was sent cartwheeling by a rampant Waite.
However, he found a willing partner in Thain and the pair settled into a lively rhythm. Walter’s 13th boundary, a pull off Brookes, took him to his century from 149 balls. Walter was eventually out after four hours and 15 minutes when Taylor beat his forward lunge and upended his middle-stump.
At the start of the day Hose and D’Oliveira continued to reprise their match-saving century partnership of two weeks ago at Taunton. Coming together at a perilous 22-4, they passed three-figures again in a 25-over stand that ended in controversy.
Hose edged Rajitha and Walter claimed the catch low down at first slip. Hose refused to walk while the umpires conferred to adjudicate whether the ball had actually carried. They came down on the side of the fielder, though subsequent replays were inconclusive.
D’Oliveira departed in Rajitha’s next over, pinned lbw on his crease without offering a meaningful shot.
Waite kept the scoreboard clicking over at nearly a run a ball until he swatted at a short delivery from Jamie Porter and was caught behind by substitute wicketkeeper Simon Fernandes, fielding in place of Pepper.
Walter took a more regulation slip catch, this time around waist-height, to dismiss Brookes off Thain. The innings was wrapped up when Snater snapped up Taylor at midwicket to give Rajitha a fourth wicket before Thain took a second wicket when Allison was caught behind.
Day One Reaction: Charlie Allison
Day One Highlights
Day One Report
Jacob Duffy and Matthew Waite took advantage of a seam-friendly pitch to skittle Essex for 179 in the Rothesay County Championship at Chelmsford.
New Zealand’s Duffy led the way with a fine display of fast, accurate bowling that was rewarded with figures of 4-39 while Waite took out three middle-order wickets as Essex were dismissed inside 59 overs.
Only Simon Harmer’s innings lasted more than 47 balls and 68 minutes – his obdurate 77-ball 28 spanned nearly two hours – as no one got to grips with a hybrid pitch that had plenty of grass on it and provided extra lift, carry and lateral movement. The toss was crucial and Brett D’Oliveira won it for Worcestershire.
Not that the visitors fared much better when it was their turn to bat. Though Essex were without England pace prospect Sam Cook on instruction from the ECB, they still managed to reduce Worcestershire to 22-4 before they revived to 98-4 when bad light ended play with nine overs remaining.
A knee injury to Michael Pepper, that necessitated a runner when he came back to bat, meant Jordan Cox had to take the wicketkeeping gloves earlier in the campaign that he had planned.
Essex never recovered from a poor start. Paul Walter was the first to go when Duffy left just his leg-stump standing as he played across the line. Duffy had a second wicket in eight balls. Charlie Allison had already three times driven Tom Taylor exquisitely straight before playing around one to fall lbw.
Cox might have gone in his first over from Tom Taylor, an involuntary edge sneaking through the slips for four. Unfazed, Cox then came down the wicket and lofted Ben Allison over his head for six.
Tom Westley had earlier hit Taylor out of the attack with three boundaries in an over, but the bowler gained revenge when he returned to have the Essex captain caught behind after a 60-run partnership with Cox. Cox followed 10 balls later, though, beaten by one from Duffy that nipped off the seam and took a leading edge through to the wicketkeeper.
Pepper was injured before lunch, but came out to continue his innings after the break but lasted one ball before rearing up in agony and immediately retiring hurt.
It was 106-5 soon after that when Matt Critchley sauntered down the wicket to Waite and could only deflect the delivery that followed him. Waite collected a second when he had Noah Thain trapped by a straight one that hit his back pad.
Shane Snater slammed Waite for 14 from an over, including a straight six. He was determined to repeat the feat but perished with a wild top-edge against Duffy to be caught at deep third man.
Pepper returned with Allison as his runner, but his dismissal initiated the beginning of the end of Essex’s innings as the last three wickets fell for two runs. Pepper was trapped lbw before Allison came to the party with two wickets in three balls. Harmer finally departed to a fourth catch at the wicket by Roderick, and then Porter lost his off-stump to his former team-mate.
The wickets continued to clatter when Worcestershire batted. Jake Libby pushed a delivery from Snater into Critchley’s right hand at third slip and Roderick fell to the same combination, though the catch was taken low down this time.
Essex’s debutant overseas bowler Kasun Rajitha made an instant impact by knocking Roderick’s bat out of his hand with his second ball, The Sri Lankan had his first wicket soon after when Cox snaffled Rob Jones behind the stumps.
Porter then had Kashif Ali taken by Thain diving forward at fourth slip to make it 22-4 before Adam Hose and D’Oliveira pieced together the biggest partnership of the match so far with an unbeaten 76 added for the fifth wicket.
Purchase your Essex vs Somerset Double Header tickets!
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.
Red-ball cricket returns to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground during the Easter weekend as Essex face Worcestershire in the Rothesay County Championship.
There are a number of ticket offers available for spectators ahead of Essex's second home fixture of the campaign.
Over all four days, any Junior ticket holder can claim a free Junior Membership worth £30 which gains the owner access to all Rothesay County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup fixtures. To claim the offer, visit the Ticket Office during the fixture and show your Junior ticket.
Fans of all ages can also upgrade their matchday ticket to access The Doug Insole Pavilion (+ £7.50) or The Scrutton Bland Premier Suite (+£20). Both upgrades can be purchased online where the price of the matchday ticket and upgrade has been bundled into one.
Travelling fans should also be aware that there will be disruption to Greater Anglia's rail service on Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April. Please see here for more information.
Tickets are available on the gate for £22 or for the cheaper price of £16 for those who buy in advance.
Gates Opening Times:
Gates open from 10am on all four days via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate, which is closest to Chelmsford City Centre and the Bus/Train Stations.
Scheduled Hours of Play:
Toss (Day One): 10:30am
Morning Session: 11am-1pm
Afternoon Session: 1:40pm-3:40pm
Evening Session: 4:10pm-6pm
Close of Play: 6pm
Members Entry:
Rothesay County Championship cricket is part of the 2025 Membership and Members are required to scan cards on entry. All Members should have now received 2025 Membership cards and it'll be necessary to scan an active 2025 Membership card to gain entry to the ground.
Matchday Purchases:
The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground is a cashless ground, which includes purchasing tickets and scorecards on the gates, plus food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas.
Scorecards will be available for £1 on the Tees River Gate via contactless payment, however, cash purchases can be made in the Essex Cricket Store.
Accessibility:
Accessible Parking:
Accessible car parking spaces are located at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that these cannot be pre-booked before visiting to provide an equal opportunity for all supporters.
Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating can be found in the Graham Gooch End of the ground and a wheelchair-accessible platform is located in Block One of the Tom Pearce Stand.
Carers can enter the ground on a companion ticket which is free of charge. This is upon the presentation in the Membership & Ticketing Office or on the gate with proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 16 years old.
Accessible Facilities:
The accessible toilets located at the rear of the Doug Insole Pavilion have been refurbished for the 2025 season, while accessible toilet facilities are still available by Block 31.
We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.
Ahead of Your Visit:
In the event of adverse weather conditions on the day of the match, please keep up to date with the prospects of play via the Club's X and Facebook channels.
Travel:
Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car will need to locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no parking available on-site at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open across all four days. View opening hours and tariffs for city centre public car parks - here
• The Meteor Way car park is available for Members to pre-book on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April but all advanced spaces are sold out for Friday 18 April. There are a very limited number of spaces available on the day available on a first come, first served basis. We advise that Members pre-book for £2.50 as spaces are not guaranteed to be available on the day and the price of parking on the day will increase to £3.50. Meteor Way car park will close 30 minutes after the end of play.
Public Transport:
On Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April, a rail replacement bus service will be in operation. Please refer to Greater Anglia for more information and plan your jounrey in advance. More information available here.
• Chelmsford Bus Station is situated on Duke Street, next to Chelmsford Train Station, with connections to all over the county. Alternatively, bus numbers 13, 46 and C1 shuttles, stop on New London Road, which is approximately a two-minute walk to the Ground, via New Writtle Street.
• Chelmsford Railway Station, managed by Greater Anglia, is about a 10-minute stroll from The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground. Direct train services depart regularly from Chelmsford to London, Stratford, Shenfield, Romford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. Chelmsford is situated on the Liverpool Street to Norwich mainline.
Ground Entry:
• Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate. Please note that all ticket collections will need to take place at the Main Gate.
• For the safety of everyone at the ground, there will be bag checks in operation and security present throughout the fixture.
• In the event of rain forecast on the day of the match, spectators can bring a small umbrella into the ground but metal spiked umbrellas are not permitted.
Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members upon the presentation of a valid Membership card and accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.
• Members are not required to pre-book a match ticket and can enter by scanning their Membership card on the gate. If you require a replacement card, please get in contact with the Membership & Ticketing Office before the fixture to arrange a replacement or this may cause delays on entry for you and other spectators.
• Entry to this fixture is included in 2025 Membership and encourage Members to arrive in plenty of time to secure your seat. All seating for Championship games is Unallocated and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There will be an open ground for this match allowing spectators to walk around the whole concourse area at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground with access to the Club Store and other facilities.
Members will still have access to dedicated Members' seating areas which will be located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for Members and general public.
General Public Seating:
• Supporters who have purchased tickets can enter the ground by scanning the QR on your tickets that has been sent to you via email following your purchase. If you choose to print out your ticket, please ensure that the match details (including name and seat details) are included as per the image below. Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone or printed out so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your QR code as that will not be read by the scanners.
• Ticket holders can sit in all areas of the ground for this match, except for the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower stands.
Around the Ground:
• Spectators are welcome to enter the pitch during the lunch & tea breaks when instructed over PA or by a member of the Club's stewarding team. Please follow the guidance to the specific areas permitted to enter and please respect the playing surface. We encourage spectators to play on the outfield but please use softballs.
• Spectators are permitted to walk around the full concourse area with better access to the Club Store and other facilities.
Members will still have exclusive access to dedicated Members' seating areas, which are located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for both Members and general public.
Please note that seating for Rothesay County Championship fixtures is unallocated so will be available on a first come, first served basis.
• Spectators are permitted to move behind the Doug Insole Pavilion but please respect the players' area and walkway.
• A faith and reflection room is available for all spectators who wish to use this facility. It is open for the duration of the match and located within the Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
• The Membership & Ticketing Office and Club Store will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.
• The Peter Edwards Museum & Library is located on-site adjacent to the Essex Cricket Store and will be open for the duration of the game.
Visit during the match to view the exhibition on the career of Nasser Hussain and entry is free of charge.
• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit to The Cloud County Ground then, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text 'CROWD' including your stand and issue to 60066.
• Free Wi-Fi is available at The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground for every matchday giving supporters the opportunity to access the internet and the Club's live stream online. Simply logon to ‘EC-Public’ from your seat to access.
Food & Drink:
• At the Doug Insole Pavilion, you can enjoy a diverse selection of hot and cold beverages from the bar, along with a variety of snacks for purchase.
• Anne's Pantry will be offering a choice of home-cooked meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Graham Gooch End and Sir Alastair Cook End.
They will be serving a range of meals suitable for all dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, as well as children's portions.
• Other refreshment kiosks include bar areas located at either end of the ground in County Corner and Spinners Bar, serving drinks and snacks.
• Spectators can bring food and drink into the ground for this fixture but please ensure all bags can be stored underneath your seat. A limit of four cans of beer/lager or one bottle of wine per person is in place for this fixture and there is strictly no glass or sharp objects permitted into the ground.
Leaving the Ground:
At the conclusion of the day's play, we ask spectators to leave the ground in a safe and patient manner. Stewards will be on hand to help direct you safely out of the ground.
We hope you have an enjoyable visit to The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be available on www.essexcricket.org.uk ahead of the match.
Get in touch with us by email if you have any further questions at [email protected] or via the Club's official Twitter and Facebook channels.
Watch The Action On the Move
Our live stream will be available to watch over the four days with multi-angled ball tracking, replays and commentary courtesy of BBC Essex. Head to the Essex Cricket Matchzone to watch the action live ahead of the toss on Day One, plus view an interactive scorecard, stats and individual match clips.
Rothesay County Championship
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford
Friday 18 - Monday 21 April | 11am start
Following on from a gruelling draw at Trent Bridge, Essex welcome Worcestershire to Chelmsford, in hope of claiming the first victory of the season.
In the last round of County Championship fixtures, Essex and Nottinghamshire shook hands on a well-contested draw at Trent Bridge, with Essex taking 14 points.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Essex bowling attack came out flying, making an electric start and reducing Notts to 78-5 by the Lunch break. However, a stern rearguard effort from Notts' overseas player, Kyle Verreynne, brought the hosts to 212-6 by Tea. The South African wicketkeeper-batter continued his resistance and ended the day unbeaten on 111, with his side reaching 328-8 at stumps on Day 1.
A persevering performance from the Essex bowlers saw Sam Cook claim four wickets at under two runs per over in the first innings whilst Shane Snater took three, Jamie Porter two, and Matt Critchley chipped in with one.
In Nottinghamshire's second innings, the wickets were shared on what was a good pitch for batting. Porter, Snater, Simon Harmer, and Noah Thain took two each, while Cook and Critchley claimed one apiece as Notts posted 385. This left Essex needing 366 to win on Day 4, with just two sessions remaining.
Paul Walter and Tom Westley remained not out on 41 and 28 respectively, as both sides shook hands at 5pm.
Squad
Chris Silverwood has named a 13-player squad for our second home match of the season, with the additions of Jamal Richards and new signing Kasun Rajitha. Sam Cook will miss this match at the request of England.
Dean Elgar has been given an extended period of time with his family since the birth of his twin children and could be in contention for the next County Championship fixture against Somerset.
New Eagle: Kasun Rajitha
The Opposition
Worcestershire have begun their 2025 Rothesay County Championship campaign with a draw and a loss against Somerset and Yorkshire. These results leave them 9th in the table with 12 points as they head into their clash with Essex.
The Pears will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat at Headingley and secure their first victory of the season against an Essex side also searching for a maiden win.
New signing and former Eagle Ben Allison returns to Chelmsford, having made his move permanent in September last year. During his loan spell with the Pears last season, Allison took seven wickets at an average of 20.28 and will be looking to spearhead the Worcestershire attack against his former club. He’ll also be facing his brother, Charlie, for the first time on the professional circuit.
Worcestershire squad:Brett D'Oliveria (c), Fateh Singh, Jake Libby, Matthew Waite, Ed Pollock, Gareth Roderick (wk), Tom Taylor, Kashif Ali, Jacob Duffy, Adam Hose, Adam Finch, Ben Allison, Ethan Brookes, Rob Jones.
Last Time We Met
Sam Cook completing a four-wicket haul on the final morning of last year's County Championship clash with Worcestershire was not enough to save the Eagles from a gut-wrenchingly narrow 43-run defeat.
Cook claimed the two Pears wickets that were required within Day 4's first five overs, ending the visitors’ second innings on 321, to set up a chase of 184 for victory.
However, despite a confident start that at one point saw Essex 53-1, an almighty Worcestershire fightback dismissed the hosts for 140, with Robin Das’s 32 the top score.
Cook finished with figures of 4/23 as he removed Tom Taylor, caught behind by Michael Pepper for 17, and last man Amar Virdi, caught and bowled for two, to wrap up the Worcestershire innings early on.
Das and captain Tom Westley then made a confident start to the chase, with the former overcoming the loss of opening partner Elgar, pinned lbw by Joe Leach, to guide the Eagles past 50.
It was at that point, however, that the chase began to slip from the hosts’ grasp, as Westley, Das, and Jordan Cox all fell before lunch to leave Essex 75-4, still 109 away from winning.
Das’ dismissal was the most exceptionally unlucky of the three, run out backing up after Brett D’Oliveira, fielding at short mid-off, had deflected Cox’s drive off Logan van Beek onto the stumps.
Although Pepper and Simon Harmer fought back in the afternoon with a partnership of 38 following the further dismissals of Matt Critchley and Paul Walter, the latter’s wicket for 19 precipitated the end.
Pepper followed three overs later, and although last pair Cook and Jamie Porter held out for as long as they could, the Pears wrapped up a surprise win midway through the afternoon.
Division One Table
How To Watch
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.
Tickets
Members of both counties are free to sit in any available and vacant seat, though the Doug Insole Pavilion benches and blocks 1-14 and 27-31 are reserved specifically for member’s use only.
Should you want have access to Member’s areas during a matchday, we have the ‘Adult Member Area Upgrade’ available at an extra cost to general admission.
Meanwhile, advanced general admission tickets are priced at £16.00 for adults (£22.00 on the day), while young adults aged between 18 and 25 can purchase for £12.00 (£16.00 on the day) and under-18 tickets for £6.00.
Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling 01245 254010.
Essex Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of Sri Lankan seamer Kasun Rajitha for the next five Rothesay County Championship fixtures.
Rajitha, 31, has represented Sri Lanka in all three formats, including 18 matches at Test level, where he has taken a total of 55 wickets at an impressive average of 29.58. He recorded his best Test bowling figures of 5/56 last March in a win against Bangladesh.
The seamer made his Test debut in June 2018 in Gros Islet against the West Indies, taking a total of five wickets, which included Jason Holder, Kraigg Braithwaite, Devandra Bishoo and Devon Smith.
Rajitha played under Essex Director of Cricket, Chris Silverwood, during his tenure with Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024, and has recently been featuring in Sri Lanka's first-class format for Colombo.
“We are delighted to welcome Kasun to Essex and very much look forward to watching him perform in the County Championship,” said Chris Silverwood.
“I know his experience and skill set will certainly help strengthen our already superb bowling attack.”
On signing for Essex Cricket, Kasun Rajitha said: “It is a really proud moment for me to be joining Essex.
“I have followed the team over the years, and they have always produced excellent and entertaining first-class cricket.
“I am joining a strong bowling unit and look forward to contributing on the field and helping the team win matches.
“I would like to thank Chris Silverwood for giving me this opportunity and Sri Lanka Cricket for allowing me to further hone my skills.”
Kasun will wear the number 65 shirt and is set to be named in the squad against Worcestershire this weekend.
