Essex Men play for the final time at Chelmsford in this year's Vitality Blast on Thursday as Hampshire Hawks make the trip down the M3 motorway.
A limited number of tickets remain for the game and can be purchased online and in advance of the game which begins at 7pm.
This is an all ticket match and if you have digital tickets, please make sure you download them to the 'ECCC Wallet' app before arriving at the ground.
Gates will open at 5:30pm and spectators can enter the ground via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate, located via Sky Blue Pastures, which is the closest entrance to Chelmsford City Centre and the Bus and Train stations.
Spectators are advised to arrive early to allow ample time to enter the ground and locate your seat. Bag checks will be in operation on entry to the ground.
Re-admittance is not permitted for standalone Men's Vitality Blast fixtures.
Gates Open: 5:30pm
Toss: 6:30pm
Start of Play: 7pm
Click to view more information
The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground is a cashless ground, which includes all food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas. The Essex Cricket Store is located behind the Doug Insole Pavilion and accepts both card and cash payments.
Friday is set to be bright with sunshine forecast throughout the day and highs of 26°. We advise that you stay well hydrated throughout your visit and water stations are located at all bar areas.
Please also bring suitable sun protection for you and your group and sun lotion and hats will be available to purchase from the Essex Cricket Store.
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 for this match until 11pm. View opening hours and tariffs for city centre public car parks - here
• The Meteor Way car park is available for Members to pre-book - here.
Public Transport:
• 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 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.
There are no scheduled engineering works for Thursday on the Norwich to London Liverpool Street line.
Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate. Please enter through the gate nearest your seat location.
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members and entry is only upon the presentation of a valid ticket. This facility is accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.
General Admittance:
• Supporters who have purchased digital tickets can enter the ground by scanning the valid ticket once added to the 'ECCC Wallet'. Instructions on how to access the app is included at the ticket purchase stage and can be downloaded via the App Store or Google Store and please download your tickets before arriving at the ground.
Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your tickets as that will not be read by the scanners and you may be refused entry.
Tickets can also be transferred to friends and family who also have the app to make entry quicker and easier. Follow the instructions within the app for an easy transfer around your group.
• In the event of showers forecast on the day of the match, spectators can bring a small umbrella into the ground but metal spiked umbrellas are not permitted.
• Please note, Block 29-31 are our family stands and is located near accessible toilet facilities which also includes baby changing facilities. Block 30 is strictly alcohol-free for all spectators and we ask all spectators seating in this area to refrain from drinking or bringing alcohol into this block.
• There are two retail stores open for this game with the Essex Cricket Store located in the blue area open for the duration of the match.
Our pop-up store will also be open and is located by the Tees River Gate selling a range of merchandise, clothing and memorabilia for your visit.
• Spectators are able to access the full concourse of the ground and can visit the Club Store and food court areas during your visit.
• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.
• 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 Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
• There is a sensory and family room situated near the Tees River Gate. Should you need to use it, please contact your nearest steward.
• Public Wi-Fi is available at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground for every matchday giving you the opportunity to share photos and videos of your Eagles experience. Simply logon to 'EC-Public' from your seat to access.
• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text 'RESPECT' including your stand and issue to 60066.
• The Food Court is located in the blue area of the ground by the Essex Cricket Store where Anne's Pantry will be offering a variety of food. Anne's Pantry food kiosks will also be offering a choice of hot meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their other outlets located at 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.
• We also welcome our partners, Zambrero for 2025 who will be serving up burritos and rice bowls on T20 matchdays this season, as well as the award-winning Shwings, serving up loaded fries and chicken.
• There will be a Gin & Fizz bar located by Sir Alastair Cook End.
• The Level Head Bar is situated behind the Doug Insole Pavilion and is the perfect space to relax with a drink in the beer garden and soak in the atmosphere. You will also find our Gin & Fizz bar in this area serving up cocktails, mocktails and other spirits.
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be welcoming Members with valid tickets through its doors and serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks from the bar. A choice of snacks will also be available to purchase.
• Other refreshment kiosks include bar areas located at either end of the ground in County Corner and Spinner's Bar.
• Spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the ground for this fixture. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed providing there is no glass or sharp objects such as cutlery.
• Please note that the ground is a cashless ground, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.
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 is located in the Tom Pearce Lower and Block 31, and there is also a wheelchair-accessible lift in Block 18 for spectators seated in this area.
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, while other accessible toilet facilities are available by Block 31.
We also offer a dedicated Changing Places Room, available for anyone who may benefit from additional space, support, or specialist equipment—regardless of access needs, disability, or whether accompanied by a carer.
You’ll find the Changing Places facility located in front of the Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
At the conclusion of the game, we ask that spectators 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 Chelmsford and 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.
This match will be available to watch via the Club's live stream which can be found at essexcricket.org.uk or on the Essex Cricket YouTube channel.
You can visit the Essex Cricket Matchzone for a live scorecard, clips of the action and match statistics, as well as match coverage via the Club's X, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Essex Women: Grace Scrivens, Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock, Maddie Penna, Lissy Macleod, Jo Gardner, Eva Gray, Sophia Smale, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
Lancashire Thunder: Eve Jones, Seren Smale, Tilly Kesteven, Ailsa Lister, Ellie Threlkeld (c & wk), Fi Morris, Alana King, Tara Norris, Darcey Carter, Mahika Gaur, Sophie Norris.
Umpires: Ben Debenham & Julia Jarvis
Scorers: Helen Hyde & Alison Bradnock
Toss: Essex Women won the toss and elected to bat first
Result: Lancashire Thunder won by 4 wickets
Two wides from what should have been the last ball of the match saw Lancashire home by four wickets against Essex in a low scoring thriller at Chelmsford.
The Red Rose made hard work of chasing down 108 on a used pitch, but Eve Jones 59 from 58 balls got to the brink before the last-ball drama. It was hard on Essex who defended their score of 107 all out like tigers, Eva Gray 1-14 and Maddie Penna 2-11 their standout bowlers.
Earlier Mahika Gaur threatened an early finish, the young England quick took 3-1 in her first 12 balls, including the wickets of Lauren Winfield-Hill and Grace Scrivens, both for ducks as the hosts stumbled to 12-3.
Gaur finished with 3-22 including 15 dots while Alana King (2-17) and Tara Norris (2-22) were also in the wickets. Lancashire skipper Ellie Threlkeld set a new record for dismissals by a wicketkeeper in the competition with six. Alice Macleod top-scored for Essex with 23.
Gaur gave the game an explosive start with the wicket of former England opener Winfield-Hill with the game’s first ball, a wide half-volley nicked through to Threlkeld.
Her second over brought more carnage with the speedster hooping the ball around corners to find the edge of first Scrivens and then Jody Grewcock’s bat to leave the hosts in tatters.
Cordelia Griffith struck successive boundaries in Gaur’s next over, while Penna lofted one from King back over the bowler’s head as they briefly threatened a fightback. Griffiths though became the fourth batter to edge into the gloves of Threlkeld, while Penna rather tossed her wicket away, hoisting King into the safe hands of Norris in the deep.
Thereafter, only Macleod suggested any permanence, but she too holed out tamely to mid-on, giving Norris a second wicket. Two late runouts contributed to Essex’s woes as they subsided for 68-4 to 107 all out with 10 balls of their innings unused.
Without leading wicket-taker Esmae MacGregor, the onus was on Gray to lead the wicket taking charge and the seamer dismissed Seren Smale as part of a wicket maiden early in the chase.
Only 26 came from the powerplay and Jones was spilt by Griffith at extra-cover on 20, just as she was increasing the pace. Jones celebrated the reprieve with a classic straight drive for four.
Scrivens bowled Tilly Kesteven with a beauty and Ailsa Lister survived a huge lbw shout from Jo Gardner only to be stumped next ball, leaving the Red Rose 51-3 at halfway.
With Gray equally miserly, Threlkeld’s four to long leg was the first for 46 balls and 30 were needed from the final four overs.
Penna struck twice in as many balls, bowling Threlkeld and having Fi Morris caught behind and while King survived the hat-trick ball 24 were needed from the final three.
Jones found the boundary for the sixth time to reach 50 in 49 balls and she and King ran like lightning between the wickets as the runs ticked down. The opener was stumped from the penultimate ball, but two the visitors scrambled home in a breathless finish.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Men finish their 2025 Vitality Blast campaign this week with a home tie against Hampshire Hawks and a Friday night clash with Kent Spitfires.
Chris Silverwood's squad will be looking to give the fans back-to-back Blast wins on Thursday when they welcome Hampshire Hawks to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, following a brilliant 6 wicket victory against Sussex Sharks on Sunday.
Michael Pepper’s pyrotechnical 87 off 47 balls led Essex to their first home Men’s Vitality Blast victory in exactly a year as Sussex Sharks’ quarter-final hopes to a new battering.
The Eagles hadn’t won at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in a T20 since downing Kent Spitfires on July 11 2024, after a dismal beginning to this season.
Mohammad Amir’s three tight for 16, backed by two-fours for Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, and Shane Snater rolled the visitors for 145 - with a lively 52 from John Simpson the only bright spark for the Sharks.
Essex would have almost certainly won the reverse fixture had rain not intervened, and Pepper’s season-best made sure they weren’t thwarted again to give them just their second win in the competition.
Sussex have lost three of their last four Blast matches to slip into mid-table, with Sunday’s clash with Hampshire Hawks crucial to their hopes of a quarter-final spot.
Chris Silverwood has named a 14-player squad for the visit of Hampshire at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground. A new squad will be published ahead of the away trip to Canterbury on Friday.
Sam Cook is being rested after a busy period with the England Men's Test squad.
Dean Elgar is being rested and rotated at this stage of the Vitality Blast competition to manage his workload ahead of the two upcoming Rothesay County Championship matches at the back end of this month.
Captain: James Vince
Overseas Players: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (South Africa, 10 matches from June 13), Dewald Brevis (South Africa, full competition)
Finals Day Appearances: Ten (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Titles: Three (2010, 2012, 2022)
2024 Finish: Seventh (South Group)
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Joe Weatherley (324)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: John Turner (15)
Hampshire squad: To be confirmed...
Dewald Brevis introduced himself to Hampshire Hawks fans with a dazzling 68 as Hawks pumped up their highest-ever score at Utilita Bowl to beat Essex by 106 runs.
South African Brevis hammered his 68 in 32 balls to go along with James Vince’s returning 62 off 31 and Toby Albert’s 54 off 34 – as Hampshire posted 230.
Michael Pepper’s 51 was the high point of Essex’s innings as they fell very runs short, with Liam Dawson picking up four for 26, and Scott Currie three for 20 – Hampshire recording the largest T20 win on the ground.
The 8,139 fans was the highest for an opening day of the Vitality Blast at the Bowl since 2017, and were treated to 759 runs across a sun-kissed double header on a stunning batting track.
Captain: Sam Billings
Overseas Players: Wes Agar (Australia, all group matches) Tom Rogers (Australia, all group matches)
Finals Day Appearances: Four (2007, 2008, 2009, 2021)
Titles: Two (2007, 2021)
2024 Finish: Ninth (South Group)
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Sam Billings (411)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: Matt Parkinson (16)
Kent squad: To be confirmed...
Tawanda Muyeye cemented himself as the leading run scorer in the Men’s Vitality Blast 2025 with a jaw-dropping maiden T20 century – as Kent Spitfires tore rivals Essex apart.
Muyeye became Kent’s eighth T20 hundred-maker, with the club's joint-most sixes in an innings as he hoisted his bat on a stunning 100.
He and opening partner Daniel Bell-Drummond are the only two players to reach three figures in this year’s competition, with Muyeye’s 362 runs leading the charts.
Matt Parkinson’s first T20 five-wicket haul pulled the rug out under Essex doomed chase of 214 as they were bowled out for 172, despite Dean Elgar’s patient 50 and Simon Harmer's late pyrotechnic 55.
Click here for Part 1 of the team-by-team preview of each of this year’s South Group contenders.
Click here for Part 2 of the team-by-team preview of each of this year’s South Group contenders.
If you are not accompanying the Eagles at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Thursday, or at Canterbury for the clash against Kent Spitfires on Sunday, both matches will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Women finish their 2025 Vitality Blast campaign this week with fixtures against Lancashire Thunder and Durham Women, both at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
Andy Tennant's side will be looking to finish the T20 format strongly following a disappointing defeat to The Blaze on Sunday, falling 36 runs short with the bat, but still have a mathematical chance of qualifying - albeit by the slightest of chances.
Despite the defeat, there were positives to take from the match, as Eva Gray once again showed her class with the ball, taking four wickets in 22 balls at an average of just 4.91. Her spell included a burst in which she claimed three wickets in the space of four deliveries.
Sarah Glenn and Cassidy McCarthy stifled Essex’s batting as The Blaze successfully defended 139 at Chelmsford to seal their place at Women’s Vitality Blast Finals Day.
England leg-spinner Glenn finished with figures of three for 17, following seamer McCarthy’s one for eight from three overs up top and skipper Kirstie Gordon weighed in with four for 22, including two wickets in as many balls.
Those efforts all helped to ensure Essex were restricted to just 104 for nine in reply – and the home side’s defeat leaves them only a remote mathematical chance of joining The Blaze in the last four.
Earlier, Heather Graham top-scored with 33 from 23 as the visitors were bowled out two deliveries short of their full allocation, with Essex seamer Eva Gray recording a season’s best of four for 18.
Head Coach Andy Tennant has named a 13-player squad for the penultimate Blast match which is against the Thunder.
Seam bowler Esmae MacGregor is being precautionarily rested.
Sophie Munro and Flo Miller are continuing to participate in light training on their road to recovery.
Captain: Ellie Threlkeld
Overseas Players: Katie Mack (Australia, first three group matches), Alana King (Australia, from match four onwards)
Key Moves: Lancashire were busy ahead of 2025. Eve Jones arrived and is currently one of county cricket’s in-form batters. She’s been joined by England fringe fast bowler Grace Potts and Scotland spinner Darcey Carter. Batter Katie Mack will start the Blast before being replaced by one of the competition’s standout overseas signings, her fellow Australian Alana King, the superstar leg-spinner.
The Big Question: Lancashire have started the summer brilliantly, winning six of eight matches in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, before lifting the T20 County Cup. Can they transfer that momentum into the Blast? If so, they will definitely be a force. They look to be well balanced, with strength across all disciplines. In the regional era, Thunder’s only knockout cricket came courtesy of a 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day appearance.
Wildcard Watch: Left-armer Sophie Morris is another one off a Lancashire spin-bowling conveyor belt which has nurtured Sophie Ecclestone, Olivia Bell and Hannah Jones in recent times. The 21-year-old played in the regional Charlotte Edwards Cup during the last two summers and, in a 2022 Academy T20 friendly, returned an astonishing 6-0. Her maiden senior five-for came against Durham earlier this month.
Final Thought Ashes rivals, Thunder team-mates. You could well see a spin bowling partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Alana King during this summer’s Vitality Blast. Aussie leggie King loves Emirates Old Trafford. In 2021, she took a hat-trick there whilst playing for Trent Rockets in The Hundred, a particularly proud moment given it was at the scene of her idol Shane Warne’s ball of the century to Mike Gatting in 1993.
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Overseas Players: Suzie Bates (New Zealand, full competition)
Key Moves: Durham have signed a plethora of eye-catching talent, some young, some experienced. England stars Hollie Armitage, Lauren Filer, Bess Heath and Mady Villiers are chief amongst them. New Zealand batting legend Suzie Bates will be key to their hopes of success. Given the importance of quality spin in T20 cricket, the presence of gun leg-spinner Katie Levick in Durham’s line-up may be most telling.
The Big Question: It’s been an inconsistent start to the summer for Durham in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, winning three of eight matches. Perhaps that’s understandable given this was a newly assembled squad for 2025. But, a couple of months down the line, can they kick on in the Blast and challenge the competition favourites such as The Blaze and Lancashire Thunder?
Wildcard Watch: Grace Thompson. The 17-year-old fast bowler has all the attributes to be a future star for Durham and England. Tall, pacy, accurate and with, seemingly, a good temperament. Think Lauren Bell, and you won’t be a million miles off if you haven’t seen her. Amazing Grace? Quite possibly. If Thompson gets it right in the Blast, she will be hot property.
Final Thought The next couple of months are key for the progression of women’s cricket in Durham. With the likelihood of bigger crowds for Blast fixtures than 50-over matches at the Banks Homes Riverside, this is a great opportunity for this new professional side to really build a connection with cricket lovers, especially children, in the North East. Silverware is important, of course it is. But there’s somewhat of a bigger picture at play in this summer’s Blast for Durham Cricket.
Click here for a team-by-team preview of each of the group contenders.
If you are not accompanying the Eagles in Chelmsford, both matches will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Women concludes the Vitality Blast campaign this week with two fixtures at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
First up, is the visit of Lancashire Thunder on Wednesday evening before Durham Women make the long trip south on Friday 18 July. Both begin at 6pm with gates open from 5pm.
This is an all-ticket event and if you have digital tickets, please ensure they are downloaded to the 'ECCC Wallet' app ahead of your arrival. Tickets will also be available to purchase on the gates from 5pm on each matchday.
Gates will open at 5pm and spectators can enter the ground via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate, located via Sky Blue Pastures, which is the closest entrance to Chelmsford City Centre and the Bus and Train stations.
Spectators are advised to arrive early to allow ample time to enter the ground and locate your seat. Bag checks will be in operation on entry to the ground.
Gates Open: 5pm
Toss: 5:30pm
Start of Play: 6pm
Click to view more information
The Ambassador Cruise Line Ground is a cashless ground, which includes all food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas. The Essex Cricket Store is located behind the Doug Insole Pavilion and accepts both card and cash payments.
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 is located in the Tom Pearce Lower in Block 1 (Red Area).
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.
We also offer a dedicated Changing Places Room, available for anyone who may benefit from additional space, support, or specialist equipment—regardless of access needs, disability, or whether accompanied by a carer.
You’ll find the Changing Places Room located in front of the Price Forbes Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
It is set to be a hot day in Chelmsford for the opening Vitality Blast home match of the season with highs of 24°, so we advise that you stay well hydrated throughout your visit and water stations are located at all bar areas.
Please also bring suitable sun protection for you and your group and sun lotion and hats will be available to purchase from the Essex Cricket Store.
However, 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.
Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car will need to locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no available on-site parking at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground.
• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open for this match. View opening hours and tariffs for city centre public car parks - here
• The Meteor Way car park is not available for these fixtures.
Public Transport:
• 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 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.
There are no scheduled engineering works for these two matchdays on the Norwich to London Liverpool Street line.
Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate. Please enter through the gate nearest your seat location.
Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members and entry is only upon the presentation of a valid ticket. This facility is accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.
General Admittance:
• Supporters who have purchased digital tickets can enter the ground by scanning the valid ticket once added to the 'ECCC Wallet'. Instructions on how to access the app is included at the ticket purchase stage and can be downloaded via the App Store or Google Store and please download your tickets before arriving at the ground.
Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your tickets as that will not be read by the scanners and you may be refused entry.
Tickets can also be transferred to friends and family who also have the app to make entry quicker and easier. Follow the instructions within the app for an easy transfer around your group.
• 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.
• Please note, the available stands for this game are located in Blocks 1-11 (Tom Pearce Stand and Achilleus Security Stand, the Woodland Group Stand and the Doug Insole Pavilion, which is available for all spectators
• The retail store is open for this game with the Essex Cricket Store located in the blue area open for the duration of the match.
• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.
• 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.
• There is a sensory and family room situated near the Tees River Gate. Should you need to use it, please contact your nearest steward.
• Public Wi-Fi is available at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground for every matchday giving you the opportunity to share photos and videos of your Eagles experience. Simply logon to 'EC-Public' from your seat to access.
• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text 'RESPECT' including your stand and issue to 60066.
• Hot food, drinks and a range of refreshments will be available from the Doug Insole Pavilion throughout the match.
• The Level Head Bar is situated behind the Doug Insole Pavilion and is the perfect space to relax with a drink in the beer garden and soak in the atmosphere. You will also find our Gin & Fizz bar in this area serving up cocktails, mocktails and other spirits.
• Spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the ground for this fixture. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed providing there is no glass or sharp objects such as cutlery.
• Please note that the ground is a cashless ground, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.
During T20 fixtures, spectators are not allowed to reenter the ground after leaving.
At the conclusion of the game, we ask that spectators 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 Chelmsford and 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.
This match will be available to watch via the Club's live stream which can be found at essexcricket.org.uk or on the Essex Cricket YouTube channel.
Essex Cricket can share the news that three Essex Women's players have been selected as Wildcard's for this year's Hundred competition.
Essex Women’s seamer and top Vitality Blast wicket-taker Esmae MacGregor will represent the Manchester Originals, while fellow seam bowler Kate Coppack will feature for the London Spirit, and keeper-batter Amara Carr for the Southern Brave.
All eight teams in The Hundred have now confirmed their full squads for the 2025 campaign following the Wildcard selections.
The following Essex players will be playing in The Hundred this year...
London Spirit:
- Eva Gray
- Cordelia Griffith
- Sophie Munro
- Kate Coppack
Manchester Originals:
- Esmae MacGregor
Northern Superchargers:
- Michael Pepper
Oval Invincibles:
- Jordan Cox
- Jo Gardner
- Sophia Smale
Southern Brave:
- Amara Carr
Trent Rockets:
- Sam Cook
- Grace Scrivens
- Jodi Grewcock
Welsh Fire:
- Paul Walter
Essex Women: Grace Scrivens, Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), Jodi Grewcock, Maddie Penna, Lissy Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Jo Gardner, Eva Gray, Sophia Smale, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
The Blaze: Sarah Bryce (wk), Georgia Elwiss, Kathyrn Bryce, Ella Claridge, Heather Graham, Michaela Kirk, Lucy Higham, Sarah Glenn, Josie Groves, Kirstie Gordon (c), Cassidy McCarthy.
Umpires: Rob White & Rose Dovey
Toss: The Blaze won the toss and elected to bat
Result: The Blaze won by 36 runs
Sarah Glenn and Cassidy McCarthy stifled Essex’s batting as The Blaze successfully defended 139 at Chelmsford to seal their place at Women’s Vitality Blast Finals Day.
England leg-spinner Glenn finished with figures of three for 17, following seamer McCarthy’s one for eight from three overs up top and skipper Kirstie Gordon weighed in with four for 22, including two wickets in as many balls.
Those efforts all helped to ensure Essex were restricted to just 104 for nine in reply – and the home side’s defeat leaves them only a remote mathematical chance of joining The Blaze in the last four.
Earlier, Heather Graham top-scored with 33 from 23 as the visitors were bowled out two deliveries short of their full allocation, with Essex seamer Eva Gray recording a season’s best of four for 18.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, The Blaze were soon in trouble as Georgia Elwiss departed at the start of a tight spell by Maddie Penna (one for 20), while opening partner Michaela Kirk was bowled trying to cut Jodi Grewcock.
The Bryce sisters started to rebuild, but Abtaha Maqsood (two for 26) dismissed both her fellow Scotland internationals in the space of four balls, tempting Sarah out of her ground for a stumping before Kathryn (27 from 25) was pinned in front.
Graham immediately went on the offensive, taking successive boundaries off Maqsood and lifting Kate Coppack over the rope at long-on but, once she was caught at point off Gray, The Blaze struggled to regain momentum.
Glenn and Lucy Higham gave their side some hope with a partnership of 30 from 24, but the boundaries dried up and the pair were both picked off in the final over as Gray wrapped up the innings with three wickets in four balls.
However, the 140 target looked steeper for Essex after three miserly overs from McCarthy – which included the wicket of Grace Scrivens, top-edging an attempted paddle through to the wicketkeeper.
Lauren-Winfield followed, labouring to eight from 18 before she miscued a slog sweep off Glenn as the visiting spinners began to turn the screw, with only two boundaries registered in the powerplay.
Grewcock (33 from 31) and Penna (26 from 24) did their best to inject some zip into the innings and the Australian had just pulled Gordon for four when she tried to hit the next ball over the top and picked out the long-off fielder.
Grewcock’s departure two overs later triggered a middle-order collapse and Gordon removed Gray and Sophia Smale from successive deliveries, with Coppack – unbeaten on 14 –the only other batter to reach double figures as Essex’s challenge petered out.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Women return to action at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Sunday after exactly four weeks since the last home match.
Following on from Tuesday's defeat in the last over against Somerset Women at Taunton, the Essex Women face The Blaze on Sunday in what is their first fixture back at Chelmsford since June 15 and will be looking to return to winning ways.
Amanda-Jade Wellington played a match-winning innings under pressure as Somerset beat Essex by four wickets last time out to register their first win of the Vitality Blast T20 campaign in their tenth game.
The Australian international raised 29 from 23 balls, struck 4 fours and shared in a crucial stand of 45 off 29 balls for the fourth wicket with Fran Wilson, who contributed 41, as the home side chased down a victory target of 156 with three balls to spare.
Esmae MacGregor claimed 3-19 to keep Essex in the hunt, but Wellington and Alex Griffiths, required to score 16 runs off the final 17 balls, held their nerve to carry the Cider county to their first win of the season at headquarters.
Returning from England A duty, Jodi Grewcock top-scored with 45 from 34 balls and shared in a stand of 58 for the third wicket with Cordelia Griffith, who contributed 31, as Essex posted 155-5 after being put into bat. The pick of the Somerset bowlers, Wellington returned figures of 1-25 from four overs.
Head Coach Andy Tennant has named a 13-player squad for the match against Somerset Women.
Flo Miller and Sophie Munro continue to recover from injuries and are beginning to participate in light training sessions.
Captain: Kirstie Gordon
Overseas Player/s: Maddy Green (New Zealand, first four matches), Heather Graham (Australia, last 10 matches)
Key Moves: The big change for The Blaze has been off the pitch, where former New Zealand Test batter Craig Cumming takes over as head coach in place of Chris Guest, who guided the Trent Bridge-based team to its first silverware in the Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 competition in 2024. Cumming arrives with a winning pedigree, though, having won two trophies in four years with Otago Sparks.
The Big Question: After last season’s impressive campaign established The Blaze at the top of the pile in the 20-over format, can anyone knock them off their perch? South East Stars, who ran them closest in 2024, have morphed into Surrey Women, with whom The Blaze shared 692 runs in an incredible 50-over tie at Beckenham earlier this month. There may be little between them over 20 overs too.
Wildcard Watch: Charley Phillips - Such is the depth of The Blaze squad, some 15 of their number are already signed up for the 2025 edition of The Hundred. If they are to be joined by another team-mate, it may be Charley Phillips, who arrived from Sunrisers in the close season as a young bowler with pace and has already made a good impression.
Final Thought The Blaze squad contains four current England players but it is their Scottish triumvirate - skipper Kirstie Gordon and the Bryce sisters, Kathryn and Sarah - who are the heart of the team. Gordon was the leading 20-over wicket-taker in 2024, Kathryn Bryce the top runscorer and wicket-keeper Sarah had only one in front of her in the dismissals table. They may hold the keys to success again in 2025.
Tickets are still available for Sunday's clash at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground against The Blaze. But, if you are unable to watch live at the ground, the match will be live streamed on our YouTube channel.
Alternatively, you can head to the Matchzone for a video scorecard, stats and clips of the action.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Men: Michael Pepper, Paul Walter, Jordan Cox (wk), Matt Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Noah Thain, Simon Harmer (c), Sam Cook, Mohammad Amir.
Sussex Sharks Men: Daniel Hughes, Harrison Ward, Tom Clark, James Coles, John Simpson (wk), Tom Alsop, Danny Lamb, Nathan McAndrew, Ollie Robinson, Tymal Mills, Henry Crocombe.
Umpires: Ben Debenham & Nigel Llong
Match Referee: Peter Such
Scorers: Paul Parkinson & Graham Irwin
Toss: Sussex Sharks Men won the toss and elected to bat
Result:
Michael Pepper’s pyrotechnical 87 off 47 balls led Essex to their first home Men’s Vitality Blast victory in exactly a year as Sussex Sharks’ quarter-final hopes to a new battering.
The Eagles hadn’t won at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in a T20 since downing Kent Spitfires on July 11 2024, after a dismal beginning to this season.
Mohammad Amir’s three tight for 16, backed by two-fors for Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, and Shane Snate,r rolled the visitors for 145 - with a lively 52 from John Simpson the only bright spark for the Sharks.
Essex would have almost certainly won the reverse fixture had rain not intervened, and Pepper’s season-best made sure they weren’t thwarted again to give them just their second win in the competition.
Sussex have lost three of their last four Blast matches to slip into mid-table, with Sunday’s clash with Hampshire Hawks crucial to their hopes of a quarter-final spot.
The Sharks' innings was a catastrophe from start to finish, having chosen to bat first in the sunshine, barring Simpson’s fifty.
Daniel Hughes got away with an edge to slip off the third ball of the match and despite rushing to 27 off 15 balls gave Snater a hanger at deep square leg.
The left-hander heavy top order struggle to deal with Simon Harmer spinning the ball away from them as the Eagles skipper returned two for 25 – lefty James Coles offered him a caught and bowled while righty Danny Lamb slapped to backward point when he returned later in the innings.
Amir and Snater were super-accurate to back up their captain as Sussex spluttered to 76 for four at the halfway point, with Tom Clark falling to Sam Cook.
Simpson was the antidote to the carousel of wickets with a smart half-century in a blink and you’ll miss it 25 balls – decorated by three sixes down the ground and another on the sweep.
He put on 39 with Tom Alsop and 42 with Lamb but neither foundation built skyscrapers in the run-rate graph.
And the last five wickets dissolved in 16 balls, with the last three falling in the space of four deliveries.
Lamb was the first of the quintet to fall, before Simpson didn’t get hold of a hook, Amir bowled Ollie Robinson and had Tymal Mills caught in successive balls and the innings was rounded off by Nathan McAndrew holing out.
Paul Walter and Jordan Cox gave Sussex hope by come and going inside three overs but once Pepper got motoring as every delivery to him felt like cannon fodder.
Bowling to Pepper is a nightmare as he mixes power with innovative flicks as he hammered his third fifty of the season in 22 balls.
Charlie Allison helped take a huge bite into the chase with a 69 stand, before the youngster tried for a third six in five balls and picked out deep midwicket.
It began a 20-ball boundary dry spell, with Lamb in particular hard to get away, but the run rate was in Essex’s favour and despite Matt Critchley hitting down deep square’s throat, Pepper and Luc Benkenstein made sure of the four points with an unbroken 54 run stand.
Pepper confirmed the emphatic victory by carting his 14th four to win with 23 balls to spare.
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day one will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
Essex Cricket is delighted to announce that wicket-keeper batter Michael Pepper has put pen to paper on new deal with the club.
Pepper joined the Club in 2017 following strong performances for the Second XI, before making his First XI debut a year later in the County Championship against Somerset and has committed his future at the Club for another two years.
Harlow-born Pepper, 27, was Essex’s leading run-scorer in the 2024 Vitality Blast, striking 535 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.58 and an eye-catching strike rate of 193.84.
Following stellar 2024 campaign with the bat in the Vitality Blast saw Pepper rewarded with an England ODI call-up for their tour of the West Indies.
After signing his new deal, Pepper said: "I am delighted to sign this new contract with the Club and extend my stay at Chelmsford."
"Essex Cricket has given me the platform to play, develop, and enhance my skills in all formats. I am extremely grateful for the faith they have shown in me since my debut back in 2018."
"I look forward to playing even more games in Essex colours and hope to help the team deliver success to the Club."
Director of Cricket, Chris Silverwood added: "It is really great that Michael has signed this contract extension.
"Not only is he a valuable batter in both the red and white ball squads, but he adds quality with the gloves and is an experienced member of the dressing room.
"I'm excited to continue my work with Michael and I am certain he will deliver more contributions to the Club."
The England Men under 19s are playing in a four day Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India Men under 19s, including 14-year old IPL superstar Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player bought in an IPL auction after being selected by Rajasthan Royals. He is also the youngest player to score a century in IPL history!
Day One will begin on July 20 with the final day concluding on July 23.
Tickets are still available via our Ticket Site, so have a browse and get yourself down to CM2 to watch the next generation of international cricketers.
