Surrey Women: Bryony Smith (c), Rachel King, Kira Chathli (wk), Grace Harris, Alice Monaghan, Alice Davidson-Richards, Phoebe Franklin, Kalea Moore, Emily Burke, Priyanaz Chatterji, Dani Gregory.
Essex Women: Lissy Macleod, Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), Cordelia Griffith, Maddie Penna, Amara Carr, Eva Gray (c), Sophia Smale, Jo Gardner, Esmae MacGregor, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
Umpires: Gabi Brown & Neil Bainton
Match Referee: Peter Such
Toss: Essex Women win the toss and elected to bowl first
Result:
Scorecard: View Here
Essex Women were denied a memorable Vitality Blast victory by the narrowest of margins as the rain-affected clash with Surrey Women ended in a dramatic tie at the Kia Oval.
Chasing a revised target of 94 from 10 overs, Lauren Winfield-Hill led the charge with a powerful 49 off 27 balls, putting Essex Women in a commanding position. But with two runs needed from the final delivery, Jo Gardner was run out attempting a second run, and the match was shared.
Earlier, Essex Women had made an excellent start with the ball, reducing Surrey Women to 45 for four. Former Surrey Women seamer Eva Gray impressed against her old side, returning figures of 2 for 18, while Gardner’s direct-hit from extra cover ran out Alice Monaghan. Grace Harris was dismissed for a second-ball duck, caught in the deep.
However, a late counterattack from Surrey Women saw Phoebe Franklin (48* off 23) and Kira Chathli (44* off 38) share an unbroken 72-run partnership from just 35 deliveries. Their explosive finish pushed the hosts to 159 for five, with Franklin striking consecutive sixes in the final over to take Surrey Women well past the 150 mark.
A rain shower during the interval left Essex Women needing 94 from 10 overs—a tough ask but one the visitors approached fearlessly.
Despite losing Lissy MacLeod to Priyanaz Chatterji’s first delivery, Winfield-Hill set the tone with a flurry of boundaries, including three in a row off Kalea Moore. She dominated a 54-run second-wicket stand with Maddie Penna, who added 22 from 19 balls.
Chatterji returned to claim the vital wicket of Winfield-Hill, who was caught at long off just one run short of a second tournament half-century. Penna and Cordelia Griffith kept Essex Women in the hunt, but both fell in the final over to Harris (2 for 22).
With two needed to win off the final ball, Gardner attempted a second run after pushing to the deep, but a sharp throw from Franklin found her short of her ground, sealing a thrilling tie.
Despite the frustration of coming so close to victory, Essex Women can take pride in a spirited all-round performance, particularly given the challenging DLS equation and the quality of the opposition’s late batting.
The England Under 19s are playing in a four-day U19 Test match at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground this summer!
They will face India 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.
Lancashire Thunder: Emma Lamb, Eve Jones, Tilly Kesteven, Ailsa Lister. Ellie Threlkeld (c & wk), Alana King, Kate Cross, Tara Norris, Darcey Carter, Phoebe Graham, Hannah Jones
Essex Women: Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), Lissy Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Maddie Penna, Jo Gardner, Eva Gray (c), Amara Carr, Sophia Smale, Kate Coppack, Esmae MacGregor, Abtaha Maqsood.
Umpires: Naeem Ashraf & Grace Bambury
Match Referee: Simon Hinks
Toss: Lancashire Thunder win the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Lancashire Thunder win by 8 wickets (DLS)
Ashes rivals Kate Cross and Alana King equally shared four wickets to set Lancashire Thunder up for a convincing rain-affected Vitality Blast win over Essex Eagles at Emirates Old Trafford, keeping their Finals Day hopes alive.
England seamer Cross and Australia leg-spinner King struck twice apiece in the space of 10 legitimate balls in the sixth and seventh overs of what turned out to be an eight-over Essex innings as they slipped to 38 for six and later totalled 47 for seven.
A two-hour rain delay ravaged a fixture which both sides realistically needed to win to maintain hopes of a top-three finish, and it was Thunder who claimed the five points as they reeled in a revised 52-target in six overs thanks largely to opener Emma Lamb’s 21 off 17 balls.
Thunder’s fourth win in nine games - this by eight wickets on DLS - means they leapfrog Essex into fifth place and are now 11 points behind third-placed Bears with five games left. Thunder face them in a crunch clash here tomorrow afternoon.
Essex, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in nine and have a mountain to climb.
Thunder, who importantly won the toss and elected to bowl first, made a fast start with the ball either side of the two-hour delay from just after 11.20am.
First of all, Essex reached 24 for two after five overs.
Seamer Phoebe Graham was making her first competitive appearance of the summer for Thunder, and she struck in the fourth over when she uprooted the leg-stump off Lissy MacLeod as she aimed a heave across the line.
Left-arm swing bowler Tara Norris then had the other Essex opener Lauren Winfield-Hill well caught low down at cover by Ailsa Lister following a miscue in the next. Only four more balls were bowled before play was halted.
Then, upon the resumption, with an eight-overs per side game now in motion, Thunder struck four times in the first 10 legitimate balls back to all but end any realistic chance Essex had of winning, the visitors crumbling to 38 for six.
King had compatriot Maddie Penna well caught low down at square-leg by Lister off a full toss before getting Cordelia Griffith caught behind cutting later in the sixth over.
In the seventh, Cross uprooted Jo Gardner’s off-stump and had an attacking Eva Gray caught behind.
Amara Carr was then run out off the final ball of the innings. Opener Winfield-Hill was the only Essex batter to reach double figures with 13.
Eve Jones set Thunder on their way in the chase with an eye-catching straight driven boundary off Esmae MacGregor’s seam before dragging Gray’s seam to midwicket on 17 - 29 for one in the fourth.
England’s Lamb hit three leg-side boundaries before being run out with only four runs required.
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, Dean Elgar, Jordan Cox (wk), Paul Walter, Luc Benkenstein, Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Noah Thain, Simon Harmer (c), Shane Snater, Mohammad Amir.
Gloucestershire Men: D'Arcy Short, Miles Hammond, Cameron Bancroft (wk), Ollie Price, Jack Taylor (c), Ben Charlesworth, Graeme van Buuren, David Payne, Matt Taylor, Marchant de Lange, Josh Shaw
Umpires: Robbie White & Chris Watts
Match Referee: Peter Such
Toss: Essex Men won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Gloucestershire Men won by 13 runs
Jack Taylor’s second fifty in three matches made it three wins in a row for Gloucestershire to spark hopes of retaining the Men’s Vitality Blast.
Gloucestershire had begun their defence with five straight defeats but victories over Kent Spitfires, Hampshire Hawks and now Essex have given hope they can sneak back to finals day via the back door.
Captain Taylor had dragged his side to a par score of 184 with 50, to go with Ben Charlesworth’s 47 not out, before Josh Shaw’s three for 29 made sure the Eagles fell 13 runs short.
The 2019 champions Essex remain winless, with their only points coming from a wash-out. They can now only get a maximum of 22 points with fourth placed Glamorgan already on 20 points.
For the third home match in a row, Simon Harmer chose to bowl first but it was Gloucestershire who edged the powerplay.
They managed 58 runs, par for the first six overs at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, but lost Miles Hammond just about caught at slip by a juggling Paul Walter and Cam Bancroft attempting back-to-back sixes.
But Essex demonstrably won the middle overs by holding the visitors to just four boundaries from the end of the seventh over to the start of the 16th.
Darcy Short failing to kick on from reaching 33 and Ollie Price barbequing himself didn’t help their cause, but tight bowling closed off their scoring options.
Jack Taylor’s hard running dragged Gloucestershire back into the innings before his hard-hitting got them closer to a defendable score.
Firstly, he took Matt Critchley for three fours in an over and then he carted Luc Benkenstein for two huge sixes – one of which smashed a press box window.
It helped the Gloucestershire skipper reach his seventh T20 fifty in 34 balls.
A wicket in each of the last three overs kept the away side to 184, with Mohammad Amir taking two of them to return three for 33, while Ben Charlesworth’s useful 31-ball cameo left him unbeaten on 47.
In the two previous games at Chelmsford, Essex had been set targets of 221 and 220 and it had quickly been apparent the chase would be above them.
On this occasion, they stayed in the fight despite losing regular wickets. Michael Pepper and Jordan Cox each went big then got out in the powerplay, while Dean Elgar suffered a tortured nine balls in a half-hour spell in the middle.
Paul Walter threatened to be the man to put Essex in complete control with a spritely 39 but he and Benkenstein fell in the same Charlesworth over leaving the hosts needing 82 in eight overs.
Critchley and Charlie Allison clubbed 21 and 17 off the 14th and 15th overs, but then Critchley was bowled by Josh Shaw as the momentum swung like a Newton’s cradle.
But Harmer clothed to point, Allison holed out, Noah Thain picked on long on, and Amir was run out as the game fell out of Essex’s grasp as Gloucestershire squeezed at the death.
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.
Vitality Blast action returns for a second block of games, starting with a Friday night face off against Gloucestershire, followed by a clash against Surrey on Sunday.
For the past two weeks, the focus has been on the Rothesay County Championship, with red-ball fixtures against Hampshire and Yorkshire. However, attention must now shift back to the shorter format, as Blast action resumes shortly after the visit to York.
Chris Silverwood’s men haven’t started their T20 campaign as they would have hoped, still searching for their first win in the competition. Nonetheless, there have been encouraging signs with both bat and ball.
Despite being on the losing side last time out, the Eagles produced two half-centuries against Kent at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground. Dean Elgar struck the first, scoring 50 off 37 balls, followed by an explosive 55 off just 21 balls from skipper Simon Harmer, featuring two fours and seven sixes.
The return to T20 action starts with a Friday night fixture against the reigning Vitality Blast champions, Gloucestershire, followed by a double header at the Oval on Sunday.
Chris Silverwood has named a 15-player squad for the visit of Gloucestershire at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground and the trip into London to face Surrey at the Kia Oval on Sunday.
Captain: Jack Taylor
Overseas Players: D’Arcy Short (Australia, all group matches), Cameron Bancroft (Australia, full competition)
Finals Day Appearances: 4 (2003, 2007, 2020, 2024)
Titles: One (2024)
2024 Finish: Winners
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Cameron Bancroft (534)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: David Payne (33)
Gloucestershire squad: To be confirmed...
David Payne and Matt Taylor claimed four wickets apiece as Gloucestershire took the win on the opening night of the 2024 Vitality Blast with a five-wicket victory at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.
Payne took three wickets with the new ball and then removed Australian overseas dangerman Daniel Sams to finish with 4-24, while Taylor eclipsed the tail to return career-best T20 figures of 4-22 from four overs and restrict Essex to 141-9.
Jordan Cox, made his T20 debut for Essex and top-scored with 48, dominating with a stand of 64 in 6.5 overs for the fourth wicket with Paul Walter, who contributed 43.
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey led the reply posting 49 from 30 balls and dominating a stand of 83 in seven overs with Cameron Bancroft, who weighed in with 32 as the home side took control. Ben Charlesworth finished unbeaten on 22 as Gloucestershire wrapped up victory beneath the Bristol floodlights with 18 balls to spare.
Captain: Sam Curran
Overseas Players: Mitchell Santner (New Zealand, available after IPL and knockout matches), Nathan Smith (New Zealand, full competition), Adam Zampa (Australia)
Finals Day Appearances: Nine (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Titles: One (2003)
2024 Finish: Semi-finals
2024 Leading Run-Scorer: Jamie Smith (285)
2024 Leading Wicket-Taker: Tom Curran (16)
Surrey squad: To be confirmed...
Surrey secured a narrow 13-run victory over Essex in the Vitality Blast in Chelmsford last time out.
Batting first, Surrey posted 189-9, with Will Jacks leading the charge with a powerful 86 off 46 balls, including five sixes. Despite a strong start, the visitors lost momentum in the middle overs due to a mini-collapse triggered by Essex spinners Simon Harmer, who took three wickets, and Matt Critchley, who claimed two.
A late contribution from Cameron Steel helped Surrey reach a competitive total.
In response, Essex began their chase strongly, with Adam Rossington and Michael Pepper guiding them to 87-1 within the first nine overs. Rossington struck a rapid 78 off 49 deliveries, reaching his fifty in just 33 balls.
However, as wickets started to fall regularly, Essex's momentum slowed. Rossington's dismissal by Sam Curran proved pivotal, and despite a late 27 from Luc Benkenstein, Essex fell short, finishing on 176-9.
The match was closely fought, but Surrey's disciplined bowling and crucial breakthroughs at key moments ensured they held on to defend their total and clinch the win.
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 for a franticly fun Friday night, or at the Oval for the clash against Surrey 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.
After a 15-day break from competitive cricket, the Essex Women return to action with back-to-back Vitality Blast fixtures this weekend.
Andy Tennant's squad return to the Vitality Blast campaign with two fixtures in quick succession, facing Lancashire at Old Trafford on Saturday before returning south into the capital for part one of the double header against Surrey.
Last time out, Essex Women defeated Durham Women by six wickets at Chester-le-Street as the Eagles climbed into fifth place, reaching distance of the top four.
In the eighth round of the competition, a devastating new ball burst from seamers Esmae MacGregor and Kate Coppack helped Essex snap a four-game losing streak in the Vitality Blast as they eased past Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside.
MacGregor and Coppack claimed two wickets apiece as Durham, inserted into bat first, slipped to 17 for four in four overs, only able to recover to an under-par 101 for eight total. Both fast bowlers finished with two each wickets apiece.
Essex then reeled that in with comfort, with three overs remaining, to secure their first win in five and their third win in eight overall. Former England wicketkeeper-opener Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored with 29 off 22 balls.
Twenty-year-old MacGregor is the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Blast with 18, and she put the squeeze on the home top order with two for 16 from four testing overs.
Head Coach Andy Tennant has named a 13-player squad to travel to Lancashire and Surrey this weekend.
Captain Grace Scrivens and all-rounder Jodi Grewcock are unavailable due to their call-ups to the England Women A squad for the T20 series against New Zealand A.
In Scrivens’ absence, vice-captain Eva Gray will lead the team for the first time.
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: Bryony Smith
Overseas Players: Grace Harris (Australia, available from June 5 until the end of competition)
Key Moves: The big arrivals over the close season are England international Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Australian Grace Harris, both free-scoring batters who fit the profile of a side renowned for aggressive run-making. Alice Monaghan also comes in from Hampshire to offer options with both bat and ball.
The Big Question: How will they fit all the batters in? An already strong line-up now includes Harris and Wyatt-Hodge, the former possessing a higher strike rate (155) in international T20 than any batter achieved domestically in the format last year. Bowling stocks, be that seam or spin are hardly light either, even with skipper Smith and vice-captain Tash Farrant currently battling injuries.
Wildcard Watch: Emma Jones. The all-rounder, a student of veterinary surgery at Cambridge, has had three separate contracts with The Hundred franchises, but been held back by injury. Trent Rockets have kept faith for 2025 when Jones’ height with the ball and long levers with the bat may mean that faith is rewarded.
Final Thought Under the guise of the South East Stars, the bulk of this group made Finals Day in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in three of the four years it was contested. Only Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson-Richards will miss the start of the competition on England duty while rival sides are harder hit. Smith returned from injury during the T20 County Cup and her captaincy and powerplay hitting will be valuable to lead a squad with enough class and depth to be a contender.
Click here for a team-by-team preview of each of the group contenders.
If you are not accompanying the Eagles up the M6 north to Manchester or in London for the clash against Surrey, 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.
The Vitality Blast returns to Chelmsford this week for the first Friday night clash under the lights in front of a capacity crowd.
Gloucestershire Men are the visitors to the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground as they take on Essex Men in a highly anticipated fixture.
Tickets for the game are sold out and will not be available on the gates. All remaining fixtures in this year's Men's Vitality Blast have limited availability so we advise buying now to avoid disappointment.
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 27°. 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 Friday 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 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. There will also be loaded chicken fries stand on offer in the food court.
• There will be a Gin & Fizz bar also 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 Cricket can reveal the shortlist for June's Player of the Month, for both the Men's and Women's teams.
June has seen fourteen T20 matches and the return of the County Championship matches. There have been big scores from both our Men and Women's sides. Centuries, half-centuries, incredible wicket-hauls, and debuts June has had it all!
Now it's over to you. We've narrowed down the choice for the Players of the Month, you now have the hard job of deciding who takes the top spot. Let us know by scrolling down and choosing your favourites for the wefinanceanycar.com Men's award and the Tiptree Women's award.
The winning players will be announced at one of the remaining Vitality Blast men or women's games in the 2025 season at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground and two lucky entrants will win a pair of tickets to one of these matches. In addition, each winner will either win a Tiptree hamper or a Rothesay County Championship shirt signed by the men’s First Team squad.
Vote before midday Sunday 13 July to be in with a chance of being one of our two lucky winners!
What a month Allison has had. One of our highlights this month is Allison making his second career century against Hampshire (101). He’s also contributed brilliantly in the field, helping take wickets and stopping the opposition getting boundaries.
Opener Elgar has proven his skill with the bat this month, totalling 374 runs across both the Vitality Blast and County Championship. The team’s top scorer for June picked up three half centuries against Somerset (50), Kent (50) and Yorkshire (94). His dominant display against Yorkshire in lead to 11 boundaries in just one innings.
317 runs for Pepper this month. Making up these figures include a half century (60 v Glamorgan) and century (140 v Hampshire). The wicket-keeper has played his part in taking wickets too. Thirteen catches made by Pepper across the month, five of these coming from the T20 against Yorkshire at the start of the month.
Captain Westley never fails to impress in Championship cricket. His dominant batting displays have been crucial in our tough fought matches. Westley has led the team in the bat with two centuries in two games (130* v Hampshire and 107 v Yorkshire). His partnership with Pepper of 215 contributed to the team getting those all-important points against Hampshire.
What a month MacGregor has had! Sixteen wickets taken by the right-arm medium bowler in the Vitality Blast. MacGregor’s pinpoint accurate bowling has allowed for her teammates to make 11 wicket taking catches. On top of this, MacGregor excelled in the match against Somerset where she took 4-8 (3.2 overs) in front of her home crowd.
Maddie Penna has been a key player in making up the runs this month. Just missing out on her first Vitality Blast T20 half-century. Averaging over 1 wicket involvement a game, Penna has helped her team take those all-important wickets. Whether it’s making catches or going for the run out, Penna leaves it all out on the pitch.
Scrivens has consistently been an entertaining watch this month. Five wicket involvements for the captain through her brilliant right-arm off-spin bowling and breath-taking catches. With the bat Scrivens has averaged at 20 runs a game and had a consistently high strike rate. Scrivens is also no stranger to hitting boundaries, this month she totalled 23 fours.
Winfield-Hill has been nominated for her batting performances in June. Lauren has made a total 176 runs with a high score this month of 42 (v Somerset). Making up this total, were 30 boundaries. In the field, the wicket-keeper has contributed by making key catches from behind the stumps.
The full terms and conditions for the competition can be found here.
Fewer than 1,000 Blast Tickets remain for the final three Men's home group Blast matches this summer.
Essex Cricket can confirm that the home fixtures against Gloucestershire on Friday 04 July and Sussex Sharks on Friday 11 July are now officially Sold Out! Waiting lists for both fixtures are now available.
Tickets for our home match versus Hampshire Hawks on Thursday 17 July are now limited in availability and are available from £30 per adult, with fewer than 1,000 tickets remaining for the game. Please book early to avoid disappointment as we expect these tickets to sell quickly with the news that our Friday matches are now sold out.
Purchase your Hampshire Tickets by clicking the button below;
Complete the form below to add your name to the waiting list for tickets to either Gloucestershire or Sussex Sharks.
Essex Cricket has partnered with Ambassador Cruise Line to celebrate the incredible volunteers who keep grassroots cricket thriving across the region.
Whether it’s the coach who goes above and beyond, the groundskeeper who keeps the pitch in top condition, or someone who works tirelessly behind the scenes, we want to hear about the individuals who truly make a difference at your club.
Nominate your club’s Unsung Hero for the chance to win a stunning 7-night Scandinavian Springtime Delights Cruise, sailing from London on 24 April 2026.
Plus, the winning hero’s club will receive an exclusive pre-season coaching session at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, led by Essex Head Coach, Chris Silverwood.
Nominate Your Unsung Hero by 31 July 2025!
Hampshire v Essex Hawks
D40 Quest South
Utilita Bowl Nursery Ground
Essex Hawks: James Ward, Joe Moss, Conor Berry, Matthew Edwards, Alfie Jeeves, Benny Fryatt, Jack Flowers, Ben Aust, Martin Henderson, Matthew Thomas, Amara Law, Billy Law
Hampshire: Henry Schooling, Thomas Millward, Kevin Cooper, Ben Williams, Samuel Godfrey, James Boorah, William Hausen, Alex Macadam, Freddie Leamon, Henri Abel, Bailey Loveless
Umpires: Andy Burgess and Andy White
Scorers: Andrew Leamon and Mike Stephenson
Surrey: 334/5 (40 overs)
Essex Hawks: 181 (35.4 overs)
Toss: Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Hampshire won by 153 runs
Essex Hawks were once again left to pick out the positives after suffering a 153-run D40 Quest South defeat at the hands of a powerful Hampshire side in a match staged on the Utilita Bowl Nursery Ground.
With Hampshire facing Worcestershire in close proximity, spectators drifted between the two fixtures, particularly during the lunch and tea intervals, providing their support, encouragement and enthusiasm. Although at first glance, this was another sizable defeat for Essex, there were notable areas of improvement.
Hampshire posted a formidable 334 for five, with Samuel Godfrey hitting an unbeaten 101* off just 44 balls during a stay at the crease that lasted just over an hour. Kevin Cooper contributed 79 before becoming one of three victims for Alfie Jeeves. The leg-break bowler finished with figures of 8-1-48-3, while Matt Thomas and Martin Henderson also broke through with the ball.
Essex lost wickets regularly, with Alex MacAdam (6-1-28-5) doing the bulk of the damage. However, Joe Moss scored 90 off 85. His innings included thirteen 4s and three 6s. Seventeen-year-old Amara Law deserves huge credit for rebuffing some fearsome Hampshire bowling. Despite not troubling the scorers, she faced 34 deliveries during 33 minutes in the middle, supporting Moss ably.
Indeed, their tenth-wicket stand gleaned 55 runs. Both players' efforts were appreciated by their teammates at the conclusion.
Jack Flowers returned to the team, offering a vibrant energy. Essex Hawks return to D40 Quest South action on Sunday, July 6, when they face Sussex at Ansty Cricket Club, Heywards Heath (1 pm).
