It was once again great to restart our annual collaboration with Leyton Orient for a cricket takeover, a whole day of activities as Leyton Orient and Essex Cricket joined forces to bring the local community together to enjoy, celebrate and play cricket at The Breyer Group Stadium.
Working with Leyton Orient Football Trust and LOFC BTEC students, we supported a day of activities. Including Primary Schools Festival, Secondary Schools Festival, our Chelmsford and Leyton Walking Cricket groups playing, Table Cricket, Ability Cricket session and topped up by an evening of Tape Ball Adult Community programme with the finals played under the lights’.
The collaboration started in 2018 and was paused due to the pandemic and was on the insight from the cricket community that Everywhere is a cricket ground, they wanted a venue where the easiest form of the game, Tape Ball Cricket can be played under lights. The O’s came to the rescue and the festival keeps going from strength to strength.
Looking ahead to next week’s fixture against Lancashire, Essex Cricket are excited to launch the Cricket Foundation lottery to be run alongside Lancashire Cricket; who have had a great take up in recent years which has allowed for development in school and community projects.
The lottery will be used as a way for everyone involved with Essex Cricket; including Players, Coaches and Legends of the Club, to help raise funds in order to excite, engage and enhance communities all over the South-East, through the Essex Cricket Foundation.
The foundation, which was founded in the Autumn of 2015, took over the role as the official charity arm of Essex County Cricket Club, continuing the excellent work of The Essex Cricket & Community Trust. Offering funding for the game and experiences that make a positive change to the lives of all different people and communities, in order to develop the interest in the game at all levels concentrating on physical/mental health, employability, community cohesion and player development.
You can join yourself by becoming a ‘Friend of the Foundation’ through getting involved in the weekly draw, that provides a chance to win up to £5,000 in cash prizes and receive invitations to exclusive events. Creating an exclusive group of members to support and increase the work within the community.
Joining is easy, the cost is just £2 per week, all you need to do is complete the application form to pay by direct debit (£8.68 per month) and select your own four lucky numbers, therefore making a positive impact and becoming a ‘friend’ of Essex Cricket and the Essex Cricket Foundation.
The Cloud County Ground, Thursday 05 – Sunday 08 May
Team News:
Essex: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley (c), Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Adam Rossington (wk), Feroze Khushi, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Mark Steketee, Sam Cook.
Yorkshire: Adam Lyth, Dimuth Karunarante, George Hill, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Harry Brook, Harry Duke (wk), Dom Bess, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Revis, Steven Patterson (c).
Match Details:
Umpires: Rob Bailey & Tim Robinson Match Referee: Stuart Cummings Toss: Yorkshire, who elected to bowl Result: Match Drawn
Alastair Cook recorded a century in both innings for the first time in his illustrious career as Essex and Yorkshire fought out a draw in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship.
Somewhat surprisingly, England’s leading Test run-scorer and the veteran of 19 years at first-class level had never previously reached three figures twice in a match – but he rectified that with an unbeaten 102 in the second-innings to accompany his 107 in the first.
With this latest century, Cook racked up his third in the space of five innings at Chelmsford this year. Including a half-century on a tough pitch at Somerset, the former England Captain has looked in vintage form.
After a long spell in the field on the previous day for the Essex bowlers where despite their best efforts they could only muster two wickets, they were rewarded early on the final day.
Yorkshire lost their last five wickets for just 39 runs, leaving them all out for 465 and Essex batting again earlier than many would have expected.
That left Cook and opening partner Nick Browne under little pressure in their second innings and the pair eased comfortably past the deficit with an unbroken partnership of 167 before the captains agreed a draw at 4.50pm.
Resuming on 425 for five, fast scoring appeared to be a necessity for Yorkshire– but the Essex bowlers pegged them back by picking up regular wickets.
Shane Snater picked up the wicket of Dawid Malan with just the second ball of the day as he clipped one into the welcoming hands of Feroze Khushi at square leg.
Brook eventually fell for 123, caught behind slashing at a short delivery from Sam Cook, who was also unlucky not to claim the wicket of Harry Duke when he struck off stump – yet the bail refused to budge.
Cook’s persistent bowling was reflected in figures of three for 78, while Snater (three for 62) finished off the innings by having Dom Bess caught behind, leaving Essex with a deficit of 62 and half an hour to negotiate before lunch.
The Essex opening pair looked completely in command as they progressed nearly chanceless to 167-0 at the close.
While Cook took centre stage with a 72nd first-class hundred from 178 deliveries, Browne looked equally assured and completed his half-century in the second to last over of the game.
Essex take 11 points from the fixture and sit on 54 in total after the five matches. The team will now wait a fortnight until their next game when they play Lancashire at Old Trafford on Thursday 19 May.
Day Three Match Highlights:
Day Three Reaction: Tom Westley
Day Three Match Report:
The Essex bowlers were kept in the field for the entirety of the third day of their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Yorkshire as first Joe Root and then Harry Brook and Dawid Malan enjoyed the friendly Chelmsford conditions.
Root, in what was remarkably only his 50th County Championship appearance for the White Roses despite making his debut back in April 2011, stroked his way to a half century in 88 balls, the exact same number as his successor as England skipper Ben Stokes had taken to smash 161 against Worcestershire at New Road 24 hours earlier.
However, youngster Brook stole the spotlight, giving another stunning audition ahead of the first Test of the summer against New Zealand next month, by smiting a thrilling century, so keeping up his record of scoring 50 or more in every innings so far this season. The 23-year-old who closed on 110 not out currently averages over 200 for the campaign.
He shared a record unbroken stand of 210 with Dawid Malan (87 not out), his fifth half-century in a row, as Yorkshire finished the day on 425-5 with a lead of 24.
Root was immediately in the action and got underway with a streaky four wide of second slip. Sam Cook beat him all ends up with a peach of a delivery during a probing opening spell, but after those early moments Root looked in total control.
It was a trademark knock by the now former England Captain and he compiled a century stand with Matthew Revis either side of a morning truncated by rain.
Critchley has picked up a number of wickets with his googly this season and Root became the latest batter to be fooled by it as he chopped on for 75.
His wicket brought Malan and Brook together and the latter, top of the Division 1 averages got off the mark by slog sweeping Simon Harmer over the square-leg fence. That kickstarted an innings which cemented the young batter as one of the most promising talents in the country. He became the leading run scorer in division one this season when he reached 49 and the single which followed meant his latest half century had come in 48 balls.
Harmer plugged away for 41 overs and bowled with his usual accuracy and guile. However, he couldn’t find enough assistance from the pitch in order to add to his wicket tally.
The pair forged on in a lengthy last session, and with great symmetry, having got off the mark with a six Brook reached an all-but run a ball century by hoisting Critchley over the ropes at mid-wicket.
Day Two Match Highlights:
Day Two Reaction: Paul Walter
Day Two Match Report:
Paul Walter’s maiden first-class century lit up a day in which Essex just about maintained the upper hand against Yorkshire in the LV = Insurance County Championship Division One clash.
The 27-year-old left-hander, who’d narrowly missed the landmark when out for 93 in last week’s draw with Northamptonshire, finally ticked the accolade of his bucket list after reaching a masterful 141. With Simon Harmer raising the tempo in the latter stages of the innings, reaching a half-century in the process, Essex eventually posted 403.
Dominic Bess the pick of the White Rose attack with three for 82. The spinner bowled tightly and kept the scoring rate in check over a mammoth 44 over spell.
Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth early in reply, while Shane Snater produced the ball of the day to end George Hill’s stylish cameo and Dimuth Karunaratne fell to the last ball of the day from Sam Cook to leave the visitors 81 for three at the close.
The morning revolved around Walter’s hunt for his long-deserved century and thanks to some disciplined Yorkshire bowling, he was made to wait for his moment.
In the end, the 13th over of the morning proved lucky for Walter as he worked a ball on his pads off the inside edge down to fine leg for the 12th four of his then close to five and a half hour vigil.
Freed of the burden of getting a hundred he played with freedom thereafter, clubbing Bess over the mid-wicket fence and raising Essex’s 300 with a deft cut for four. He was given a life on 127 when he drilled Bess straight to Thompson at cover only for the quick to shell the catch. And Bess was out of luck again when night-watchman Sam Cook edged to Lyth at slip via the thigh of wicketkeeper Harry Duke, the deflection enough for the opener to grass the chance.
Cook eventually lost his off-stump to a good ball from Hill to end a stand of 73, the only success of a frustrating morning for Yorkshire.
Whatever the visitors had for lunch they came out transformed, Bess removing Walter to the fourth ball of the afternoon when the centurion slashed to point. The England spinner made it two in two when he bowled Adam Rossington and though Feroze Khushi survived the hat-trick ball, when he nicked Patterson behind soon afterwards the hosts had been pegged back at 322-7.
Simon Harmer, left with only last man Mark Steketee for company, survived the next hour before Harmer opened his shoulders to rouse the home supporters. The South African international hoisted three big sixes as he raced to 54 in a last-wicket stand of 58 which saw Essex past 400.
Lyth didn’t last long before Sam Cook pinned the former England opener lbw. Hill, in contrast, looked fluent from the off, driving Steketee for successive fours, before striking Harmer back over his head for another boundary.
The Sri Lankan international Karunaratne enjoyed a charmed life, somehow edging one which turned into him from Harmer just over the top of the stumps and out of reach of wicketkeeper Rossington, before the spinner dropped a difficult chance at second slip from the bowling of Shane Snater.
Snater gained recompense, ending George Hill’s stylish cameo with a lifting ball which he edged behind and Cook gave Rossington more catching practice when Karunaratne’s luck ran out in the last over.
Day One Match Highlights:
Day One Reaction: Tom Huggins
Day One Match Report:
Alastair Cook batted for most of the day as he ground out a tenacious century to provide Essex with a strong platform in their LV= Insurance County Championship match against Yorkshire.
The former England captain occupied the crease doggedly for his 107 from 268 balls, sharing a third-wicket partnership of 174 with fellow left-hander Paul Walter to guide Essex to 234 for three after being put in at Chelmsford.
Yorkshire included Cook’s successor Joe Root, featuring for the first time since he resigned the England role and deployed him as one of seven bowlers as they toiled to try and build on early successes.
But those efforts were largely fruitless, with Walter reaching stumps just 11 short of a maiden first-class hundred – having narrowly missed out four days earlier when his knock of 93 had enabled Essex to secure a draw against Northamptonshire.
After winning the toss, Yorkshire got the breakthrough of Nick Browne to the third ball of the morning, caught low at third slip off Jordan Thompson.
Thompson and Steven Patterson, who opened alongside him, sent down 34 consecutive dot balls in a tight opening spell before Cook got the scoreboard moving with a single on the leg side.
He and Tom Westley put together a partnership of 56 before the Essex captain fell caught behind for 24, attempting to cut Dom Bess.
Walter survived chances early in his innings, with Patterson unable to hold onto a sharp return chance and inducing an edge in his next over that appeared to fall narrowly short of the diving George Hill in the slips.
At the other end, Cook relentlessly progressed towards his half-century, dispatching Thompson to the cover boundary to reach that landmark after more than three hours.
Having progressed at around two an over, Essex raised the tempo in the final session, with Walter adopting a more attacking approach and Cook carving Thompson to the boundary to complete his ton.
Despite Brook shelling Cook, Yorkshire took the wicket of the opener as he played on off the bowling of Yorkshire skipper Patterson.
Night-watchman Sam Cook accompanied Walter to the close and left Essex in a position to bat big in the first-innings in what will be an important second day.
Essex 2nd XI: Will Buttleman (wk), Robin Das, Josh Rymell (c), Jamal Richards, Kai Greig, Ben Allison, William Prideaux, Jack Plom, Vivan Hassen, Harlan Greig, Ollie Todd, Areeb Rashid.
East London League XI: Hamza Ahmed, Rameez Rahman (c) (wk), Nathan Khelawon, Qazi Abul Hussen, Akibur Rahman, Javid Fazil, M Wajid Shah, Omar Akram, Junaid Nadir, Haris Latif, Karanjot Singh, Salman Ahmad.
Match Details:
Umpires: Rafiq Patel and Inayat Kothia Toss: Essex 2nd XI won the toss and elected to bat Result: Essex 2nd XI won by 83 runs
Essex 2nd XI: 293/8 (45.0 Overs)
East London League XI:210 (41.4 Overs)
Match Report
Essex 2nd XI continued there fine 50-over form recording an 83-run victory over a strong East London League XI in a competitive friendly match staged at Loughton Cricket Club.
Wicketkeeper Will Buttleman provided the fireworks, retiring not out on 101 from 103 balls. Buttleman’s knock included thirteen 4s and one 6. Kai Greig took similar action after reaching his half-century. Meanwhile, Jack Plom was unbeaten on 43 as Essex posted a sizable 293/8. Haris Latif was the pick of the East London bowlers with three for 46, while Salman Ahmad claimed a brace.
Hamza Ahmed followed Buttleman’s lead, scoring 101 off as many balls as the batting masterclass continued. But while skipper, Rameez Rahman chipped in with 41, those around them fell relatively cheaply. Greig took 3/28 from his seven overs, while Plom, Ben Allison and Jamal Richards took two apiece to see Essex home with some to spare.
An independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel has imposed a £50,000 fine on Essex County Cricket Club after the club pleaded guilty to two charges in relation to a racist comment made in 2017 at an Essex County Cricket Club Executive Board meeting.
The Club has also been cautioned as to further conduct and issued with a reprimand. £15,000 of the fine is suspended for two years.
Essex County Cricket Club had been charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 which reads as follows:
“No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute.”
The charge was in two parts – relating to the comment made at the meeting, and the subsequent failure by Essex County Cricket Club to conduct an appropriate, or any, subsequent investigation.
The CDC Panel was chaired by Ricky Needham, alongside Amrisha Parathalingam and Mark Milliken-Smith QC.
The CDC Panel also noted Essex County Cricket Club’s ‘increased commitment to greater diversity at management level within the Club and re-energised approach to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion obligations’, as well as the ongoing community work at grassroots level.
The Club has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and any form of discrimination. We continue to work with the ECB to eradicate discrimination from the game, which includes implementing their 12-point action plan and the Club’s further commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion policies and processes.
Essex are back in action on Thursday for Round 5 of the LV= Insurance County Championship. Yorkshire are the visitors over the four days at The Cloud County Ground in the final home match of the opening block of Championship fixtures.
Gates Opening Times:
From 10am via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.
Scheduled Hours of Play:
Toss: 10:30am
Morning Session: 11am-1pm
Afternoon Session: 1:40pm-3:40pm
Evening Session: 4pm-6pm
Scheduled Close of Play: 6pm
Members Entry & Matchday Tickets:
The LV= Insurance County Championship is part of the 2022 Membership and Members are required to scan their card on the gate.
We encourage supporters to purchase tickets in advance of the game to speed up your entry into the ground and also to save you money with reduced-priced tickets available at £13 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adults (18-25) and £5 Juniors (U18s).
These can be bought online via the following link or alternatively by phone (01245 254010)/in person at The Cloud County Ground.
Tickets will also be available on the gates from 10am each day and this is strictly card sales only. Post-lunch tickets are available priced at £10 Adults, with entry free of charge after the scheduled Tea break.
Matchday Purchases:
The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes purchasing tickets on the gates, scorecards on the gates, and on food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas. Find out more – here
Please note that the Essex Cricket Store is the only location on-site which accepts cash payments.
Scorecards will be available using contactless payment on the entry gates priced at £1, however cash sales will be accepted in the Essex Cricket Store if required.
Accessibility:
Accessible parking:
Spaces are located at The Cloud County Ground and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating can be found in the Hayes Close End of the ground with a wheelchair-accessible platform 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.
We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.
Accessible Toilets:
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located behind the main scorecard (Red Area), rear of the Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue Area) and adjacent to Block 25 at County Corner (Green Area).
Ahead of Your Visit:
We want to make sure supporters are all set ahead of visiting the ground. COVID-19 safety measures have been removed for the 2022 season but spectators are welcome to wear facemasks in the seated areas and whilst walking around the concourse if they choose.
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 Twitter and Facebook channels or from our automated phone line on 01245 254049.
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 Cloud County Ground.
• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open across all four days and closes at 10pm on Thursday-Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.
• Meteor Way will be open for Members and open three hours before the start of play and on a first-come, first-served basis.
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 42 and 100, which are operated by First Group, stop on New London Road, which is approximately a two-minute walk to the Ground, via New Writtle Street.
• Chelmsford Railway Station is operated by Greater Anglia and is an approximate 10-minute walk from The Cloud County Ground. Regular direct train services depart 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.
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 are included in 2022 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.
• The Members’ seated areas are located in the Doug Insole Pavilion Benches, Tom Pearce Stand, and Areas 1-14 in the River End of the ground. Members are also welcome to sit in Block 30 & 31, which is accessible via the Hayes Close Gate.
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 for this game are welcome to sit in the Unallocated Areas numbered 15-26, which includes covered seating in Areas 22-24.
• 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.
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 move behind the Doug Insole Pavilion but please respect the players’ area and walkway.
• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office 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.
• 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 60070.
Food & Drink:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be welcoming Members back 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.
• The Members’ £10.00 meal deal returns for 2022 which includes a one-course hot meal and drink of your choice (up to the value of £5). This can be purchased in the Doug Insole Pavilion with meals served 30 minutes before the lunch break.
• Anne’s Pantry will be offering a choice of home-cooked meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Hayes Close End and River 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 Spinner’s Bar.
• Spectators can bring food and drink into the ground for this fixture. A limit of four cans of beer/lager or one bottle of wine per person but there’s strictly no glass or sharp objects permitted into the ground.
• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is now a cashless ground for 2022, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.
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 Cloud County Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be available on 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 returns for the 2022 season 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.
LV= Insurance County Championship
The Cloud County Ground
Thursday 05 – Sunday 08 May
11am start
10am gates
Essex fought back well to secure a thrilling draw against Northants last week. Paul Walter, playing in place of the injured Dan Lawrence, produced a mammoth effort in Essex’s second-innings scoring 93 and importantly soaking up 246 deliveries as Essex battled for points on the final day.
There were also valuable contributions from Matt Critchley (47), Adam Wheather (33*) and Feroze Khushi (30) as batted out the fourth and final day and took 10 points from the game.
Now all eyes turn to Yorkshire and the prospect of two former England Captains facing off at the Cloud County Ground.
Squad:
Essex welcomes the return of Adam Rossington who is available for selection after sitting out against his parent Club, Northamptonshire. He joins the otherwise unchanged squad in place of Adam Wheater.
The Opposition:
News in the run-up to this match has been dominated by the return of the now-former England Captain, Joe Root. He is widely tipped to make his first Yorkshire appearance of the season as he begins preparation for the New Zealand Test Series in June.
Yorkshire do, however, have a number of high-profile absences with overseas pace bowler Haris Rauf joining an absentee list that already includes Matthew Fisher (injured), Jonny Bairstow (IPL) and David Willey (IPL).
A strong start to the season sees Yorkshire sat 4th in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship after three games, having one victory and two draws. They will, however, feel aggrieved to only have the one win to their name, having been in winning positions against both Northamptonshire and Kent.
Haris Rauf will travel with the Yorkshire squad as he continues his rehabilitation from a side injury. Ben Coad, on the other hand, has recovered from a groin injury and regains his place in the squad.
Yorkshire Squad: Dom Bess, Harry Brook, Ben Coad, Harry Duke (wk), George Hill, Dimuth Karunaratne, Tom Loten, Adam Lyth, Dawid Malan, Steven Patterson (c), Haris Rauf, Matthew Revis, Joe Root, Jordan Thompson.
Last time out:
It has been three years since the two sides last played in red-ball cricket, with the only fixture in-between times being last year’s Royal London Cup Play-Off which Essex won by 129 runs.
When the sides last met in the County Championship in July 2019, Essex were on their way to Division One success.
After winning the toss and batting, Yorkshire were reduced to 208 all out, thanks to five Simon Harmer wickets. Essex’s response was a good one, half-centuries from Tom Westley and Ryan ten Doeschate saw the side to 328 and a first-innings lead of 120.
Despite some effective lower-order hitting from Keshav Maharaj, who hit five sixes in his 85*, Yorkshire’s second-innings total of 211 left Essex with just 91 runs required for victory.
Essex completed an eight-wicket victory in just the 22nd over of the chase with Nick Browne and Dan Lawrence seeing the side home.
How To Watch:
Our Live Stream service will be available across all four days of this game from 10:30am, which also includes player stats, scorecards and clips throughout the day.
The broadcast can be accessed via the Essex Cricket Matchzone here.
Essex County Cricket Club can today announce that wicket-keeper batter, Adam Wheater, is set to retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2022 season.
The 32-year-old is an Essex Academy graduate and has made 380 appearances across all formats during his career, scoring 10,876 runs whilst taking 386 catches and recording 64 stumpings.
Wheater made his first-class debut for Essex in 2008 but really cemented his place in the First Team during 2011. In the fifth Championship game of the season, he scored his maiden century for the Club, reaching 164 as Essex swept aside Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.
In 2013 he moved to the South Coast to link up with Hampshire. In his debut season at The Ageas Bowl he impressed with the bat, scoring three Championship centuries and catching the eye for both his glovework and runs.
He averaged 32.10 as Hampshire claimed the Division Two title the following year and also scored his maiden List A century, which came from just 76 balls as he made 135 against Essex at Chelmsford.
After a loan spell back at Chelmsford in 2016, where he helped his boyhood Club secure the Division Two title, Wheater made the move permanent the following year.
In 2017 he was part of the Essex side that won a first County Championship title in 25 years, and two years later, he wrote his name into Essex folk law, playing a significant role as the Club became the first side in history to claim a County Championship and T20 double.
His form carried through to the 2020 campaign, the same year he was awarded his County Cap, in which he averaged 58.20 as the side won the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy at Lord’s.
On his decision to retire, Wheater said: “It’s been a tough call to make, but the timing feels right and I’m pleased to be going out on my own terms.
“I’ve had a great time at both Essex and Hampshire. Not many players get the opportunity to play for their boyhood Club, so to be able to do that has been a dream, and to be able to win the things we’ve won, I couldn’t have asked for more.
“I’m looking forward to whatever comes next, but until then I’m fully committed to helping Anthony McGrath and this side secure more silverware.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Members, fans, players, staff and everyone associated with the Club for their support over the years. It’s been a great journey and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.”
Essex Cricket Chief Executive & Interim Chair, John Stephenson, added: “I would like to thank Adam for his contribution to Essex County Cricket Club over his two spells with the Club.
“He’s been an excellent performer for this side and has been a big factor in the success we’ve enjoyed over the last six years.”
Essex Cricket are delighted to announce the two-year extension of our partnership with Industrial Chemicals Ltd (ICL). This includes their debut as our new official LV= Insurance County Championship Shirt Sleeve Sponsor for the 2022/23 seasons.
Starting from humble beginnings as an Essex-based transport company, ICL has grown into a national chemical manufacturer trading industrial chemicals across the UK.
Steven Swaby, Finance Director of ICL said: “We are thrilled to be the new County Championship Shirt Sleeve Sponsor for the Club. As a UK-based business, it is brilliant to be able to increase awareness of our products and services whilst showcasing our continued support of Essex Cricket.”
Greg Larkin, our Senior Partnership Lead, said: “It is fantastic to see ICL step into the limelight this year as a Shirt Sleeve Sponsor and the Club look forward to seeing the partnership develop throughout the season.”
About Industrial Chemicals Limited:
With over 50 years of experience in trading, manufacturing and delivering bulk chemicals throughout the UK, ICL has established an extensive portfolio of products.
They deliver over a million tonnes of bulk chemicals every year to their customers including many recognisable household names.
To learn more about ICL, please visit their website: www.icgl.co.uk
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