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In one month today, the Eagles will begin their 2022 Vitality Blast campaign with an away trip to local rivals Kent. Just four days later, they’ll walk out under the floodlights at Chelmsford in front of the home faithful as T20 cricket returns to Essex.

This year sees the 20th anniversary of T20 cricket and so you can expect a celebration of every thrill, spill and soaring six from the past 20 years. The 2022 tournament promises to encapsulate everything that T20 cricket has brought to our game.

The first chance fans will have to see the Eagles at the Cloud County Ground in 2022 is during the half-term at the end of May when two-time T20 Champions Hampshire Hawks visit on Tuesday 31 May.

Tickets are available from £25 for adult non-members with discounts on offer for students, young adults and juniors. Alternatively, you can secure your seat for all seven home Blast fixtures with a Blast Pass.

The Opposition:

Remind yourself of the schedule and block the dates out in your calendar as the first home game is only just over one month away. Tickets are still available for every game, but we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.  

Aaron Beard has joined Sussex on loan for their next three LV= Insurance County Championship matches.

The 24-year-old bowler will be available for selection in Sussex’s next match against Durham which begins on Thursday 28 April, as well as their subsequent fixtures in May against Middlesex and Leicestershire.

Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, said: “The move will provide Aaron with some valuable first team cricket, which has been hard to come by so far this season due to the wealth of talent we have had available for selection.

“We wish Aaron well and I’m sure he will excel during his short red-ball stint at Hove before returning for the Vitality Blast competition.”

After back-to-back away fixtures, Essex return to the Cloud County Ground and will be looking to bounce back after defeat against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Despite a spirited second-innings effort, bolstered by a brilliant Harmer 75*, a low first-innings score left Essex with a deficit of 217 runs which ultimately proved too many.

Essex’s opponents this week are Northamptonshire, a team which have scarred memories of Chelmsford after their record-breaking defeat in 2021.

Squad:

Essex will be without Dan Lawrence and Adam Rossington for this fixture. The former is still recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained against Warwickshire and Rossington is unavailable for selection against his parent county as per the conditions of his loan.

Feroze Khushi, fresh off a hundred in this week in the Second XI, enters the squad for the first time this season.

The Opposition:

Northamptonshire had a quiet red-ball season in 2021, winning five out of their 15 matches and finishing in 4th spot in Division Two.

They have, however, made a better start this season after rescueing draws from losing positions in each of their opening two games.

After being dismissed for 204 in the first-innings of their last game against Yorkshire, who then racked up 406-3, they batted for the best part of 120 overs to scrape the draw.

Their overseas opening bat, the New Zealander Will Young, faced 241 balls for his 96 and he was well supported by Rob Keogh and Lewis McManus who survived 265 balls between them.

Northamptonshire Squad: Ricardo Vasconcelos (c), Gareth Berg, Josh Cobb, Emilio Gay, Matt Kelly, Rob Keogh, Simon Kerrigan, Lewis McManus (wk), Luke Procter, Ben Sanderson, Tom Taylor, Will Young, Saif Zaib.

Last time out:

Northamptonshire fans won’t enjoy being reminded of the last time their team visited to Chelmsford.

In a game where the Essex bowlers ran riot, Northamptonshire were restricted to scores of 81 and 45 all out with only four batters reaching double figures across both innings; one of those being Essex loanee, Adam Rossington.

Sam Cook finished the match with scarcely believable figures of 10/41, while in the first-innings Jamie Porter took 4/31 and in the second, Shane Snater took 4/7.

The game was wrapped up early on the second-morning with less than 100 overs being bowled throughout the entire match, making it the shortest completed four-day County Championship match in history.

The win for Essex saw them finished top of Division Two in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

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 return home after back-to-back games on the road and will face Northamptonshire at The Cloud County Ground in Round 4 of the LV= Insurance County Championship.

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 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.

>> Visit Matchzone

Law Changes for 2022:

A number of new cricket rules have been introduced for the professional game in 2022, which can be viewed here

Dan Lawrence sustained an injury during the LV= Insurance County Championship fixture against Warwickshire last Friday.

The injury was picked up whist chasing a ball in the outfield, and an MRI scan has confirmed a Hamstring muscle injury.

Dan has already started rehabilitation with Lead Physiotherapist, Chris Clarke-Irons and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Harry McQueen and will be re-assessed on a daily basis with a short recovery period anticipated.

Warwickshire v Essex

LV= Insurance County Championship

Edgbaston, Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April

Team News:

Warwickshire: Dom Sibley, Rob Yates, Will Rhodes (c), Sam Hain, Matthew Lamb, Alex Davies, Michael Burgess (wk), Danny Briggs, Henry Brookes, Liam Norwell, Oliver Hannon-Dalby.

Essex: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley (c), Dan Lawrence, Matt Critchley, Adam Rossington, Adam Wheater (wk), Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Mark Steketee, Sam Cook.

Match Details:

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough & Neil Mallender
Match Referee: Philip Whitticase
Toss: Essex, who elected to bat
Result: Warwickshire win by 10 wickets

Scorecard: View Here

Day Four Highlights:

Day Four Reaction: Anthony McGrath

“The hour after Lunch on the first day, when we lost a lot of wickets, really put us behind the eight-ball. To make 168 on a good wicket, you are not going to win too many games from there. We fought back well but when you are facing a deficit of over 200 it’s going to be tough to save the game. We scrapped but didn’t have anyone who made the big hundreds and the big partnerships and that cost us.

“It’s a match to forget for us, really. It’s a resounding victory for Warwickshire and they well-deserved it and I don’t want to take anything away from them. Even though we played below our standard, you have got to congratulate Warwickshire on the way they played.”

Day Four Match Report:

Essex fell to a first defeat of the season after losing to Warwickshire by 10 wickets on the final day of the LV= Insurance County Championship clash at Edgbaston.

Essex resumed on the last morning on 290-8, just 73 ahead and needing something special from their last 2 wickets to stay in the game.

But they added only another 33 to be all out for 323 and leave the home side a victory target of 107 in more than two sessions. Both wickets fell to concussion substitute Craig Miles who ended with 4/85 while Simon Harmer was left stranded on 75 (156 balls, 10 fours, 1 six).

Openers Alex Davies (65, 131 balls) and Dom Sibley (41, 96) eased Warwickshire to victory with an unbroken stand of 110 in 37.4 overs.

Essex were left to digest their first defeat of the campaign and also the blow of England batter Dan Lawrence’s hamstring injury, the extent of which is not yet known. Tom Westley’s side will also reflect on some careless first innings batting as the root cause of their defeat.

Miles, who was drafted into the team as a concussion sub on Friday afternoon when Liam Norwell took a short ball on the head, proved to have a significant impact on the match. Within minutes of arriving at the ground, summoned from home, he was batting at number 11 and helped Michael Burgess add 64 for the last wicket.

Then he took 2 important wickets late on the third day and added the final two on the last morning. An inswinger trapped Mark Steketee lbw and an outswinger did for Sam Cook whose edge gave wicket-keeper Burgess his fifth catch of the innings. Harmer ran out of partners, frustratingly as he looked untroubled in the excellent batting conditions.

Chasing 107 in a minimum of 85 overs, Davies and Sibley took their time. They acquired 8 runs from the first 9 overs as Cook and Shane Snater bowled testing new ball spells, but the true pitch throttled any Essex hopes of triggering the requisite clatter.

Warwickshire eased to 50 in the 23rd over after which Davies advanced to a fluent half-century (107 balls), maintaining his proud record of having scored a half-century in every first-class match he has played at Edgbaston.

Day Three Highlights:

Day Three Reaction: Tom Westley

“It was a good effort from the batters today. Matt Critchley and Adam Rossington putting a partnership together was really important and then it was a brilliant effort in the last session from Harmy [Simon Harmer] and Shane Snater.

“One of the special character traits of Harmy is that he always finds a way to contribute. He probably hasn’t got the wickets he would have liked in this game so far but he always finds a way to make a contribution and it was a fantastic knock from him. Hopefully, Mark Steketee can now add to his 2 first-class fifties and then you never know.

“If you look at our batting in the whole game we have probably gifted them a few too many wickets but, with a lead going into the fourth day, hopefully we can put on another little partnership tomorrow, and you never know. Look at us last week against Somerset. If we have got some runs to bowl, a win is still possible.”

Day Three Match Report:

Dan Lawrence defied Warwickshire despite a hamstring injury as Essex battled to avoid defeat in a gripping LV=Insurance County Championship match at Edgbaston.

Trailing by 217 on the first innings, Essex closed the third day on 290-8, leading by 73, with Lawrence, who batted at 7 and with a runner, having bolstered their resistance with a valiant 44 from 105 balls.

The 24-year-old’s movement was restricted by the injury he sustained while chasing a ball in the field on the first day. But his resolve, in alliance with Simon Harmer (60 not out, 129 balls) in a 7th-wicket stand of 81 in 29 overs, kept the Essex chances alive.

On a good batting pitch, Warwickshire’s bowling was superbly led Oliver Hannon-Dalby (22-13-36-3) but they missed pace spearhead Liam Norwell, ruled out of the rest of this match by concussion after being hit on the head while batting. A scan has revealed no serious damage for Norwell who will now rest for a few days.

Essex resumed on the third morning on 0-1, under serious pressure, but applied themselves diligently to the rearguard action. Several of the batters will have been disappointed with their dismissals in the first innings, but this time they ensured that wickets had to be winkled out.

In the morning, Tom Westley, having added 10 runs from 62 minutes, fell to Will Rhodes and Alastair Cook (36, 85 balls) to Hannon-Dalby, both caught by wicketkeeper Michael Burgess.

Matt Critchley (49, 82 balls) batted attractively after Lunch until his middle-stump was uprooted by Hannon-Dalby. Adam Wheater was bowled by a Henry Brookes no ball on 6, but soon skied a good length delivery from the same bowler to mid-off.

Lawrence’s entry with a runner showed Essex’s determination to fight every inch of the way. He soon lost Adam Rossington who made a compact half-century (52, 80 balls) before nicking an attempted cut at Danny Briggs.

That was 172-6 and Essex were still in deep trouble, but Harme knuckled down assiduously alongside Lawrence. The pair batted with patience and composure until Lawrence edged concussion substitute Miles to Burgess.

Harmer and Shane Snater then added 46 in 10 overs but the latter’s punchy contribution (21, 33 balls) concluded in the day’s penultimate over when he chipped Miles to mid-wicket.

Day Two Highlights:

Day Two Reaction: Anthony McGrath

“On the first day with the bat we gave quite a few soft wickets away but then fought back really well. We were unlucky to only get two wickets last night and then today to have them 124 for five and keep the scoring rate down pretty much all day, the bowlers did a great job.

“At the end things got away from us a little bit, but that can happen. Credit to Michael Burgess, he played absolutely magnificently and very smart, and once they got in front the momentum changed a little bit. Now we have got to bat well tomorrow.

“We hope, first and foremost that Liam Norwell is well. The concussion sub rule is there because we just want everyone to be safe and I have absolutely no problem with it.

“Dan Lawrence has pulled a hamstring. We haven’t been able to get him a scan because the hospitals are very busy but hopefully we are getting him in the morning so won’t find out the severity of the injury until we get confirmation from the specialist. But he will only bat if absolutely necessary.”

Day Two Match Report:

Michael Burgess’ second successive ton lifted Warwickshire to a first innings lead of 217 over Essex in a pulsating LV=Insurance County Championship tussle at Edgbaston.

Replying to Essex’s 168, the home side made 385 with Burgess following his 178 against Surrey last week with 170 (217 balls, 20 fours, 5 sixes).

Along with Matt Lamb (71, 140 balls, 10 fours), the wicket-keeper ensured that Essex would start their second innings under serious pressure, which soon told as, given three awkward overs to bat before the close, they lost Nick Browne, to reach stumps at 0-1.

With two powerful teams going toe to toe, the cricket has been absorbing, hard-fought and bruising, with Bears paceman Liam Norwell out of the match, concussed after taking a Mark Steketee lifter on the head.

Craig Miles has replaced his former Gloucestershire team-mate for the rest of the game as a concussion substitute.

After Warwickshire resumed on the second morning on 76-2, Essex had a dream start when Dom Sibley (33, 80 balls) edged the first ball of the day from Shane Snater to wicket-keeper Adam Wheater. Snater soon struck again when Will Rhodes was well held by Simon Harmer above his head at second slip.

When Sam Hain’s obdurate 29 (107 balls) was ended by an edge to the keeper off Steketee, at 124-5 Essex scented an opportunity, but Lamb and Burgess batted positively to add 113 in 36 overs.

Lamb batted nicely, timing the ball well before a fine delivery from Sam Cook found his middle stump. The impressive Cook, who ended with 3/72, soon had Danny Briggs caught at slip before Henry Brookes chipped Steketee to mid-on and Norwell took a rising delivery from the Aussie on the head and was forced to retire hurt.

Burgess responded to the arrival of number 11 Olly Hannon-Dalby with a blitz of 4 successive fours off Steketee which took him to a superb century and his team past 300. After Simon Harmer trapped Hannon-Dalby lbw, with Norwell incapacitated, Miles went in as concussion sub.

As Burgess climbed into spectacular attack, the last wicket added 64 in 7 overs to turn the lead from handy to significant. Burgess was finally castled by Steketee who finished 4/130.

The scoreboard pressure then brought an immediate victim when Browne edged Hannon-Dalby’s seventh ball to Sam Hain at second slip, meaning Essex start Day Three on 0-1 and with a lot of batting to do.

Day One Highlights:

Day One Match Report:

Champions Warwickshire enjoyed a strong first day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with Essex at Edgbaston.

Tom Westley won the toss and chose to bat on a good-looking pitch but his side were bowled out for 168, with the skipper the only standout batter, making 80.

From a relatively solid 98-2 just after Lunch, the visitors suffered an implosion of 5 wickets for 11 runs in 43 balls. Seam bowlers Olly Hannon-Dalby and Liam Norwell shared 5 wickets before Danny Briggs did a consummate spinner’s job by briskly taking out the lower order with 4/31.

Warwickshire’s batsmen were then made to work hard in reply but they reached the close on 76-2 with Dom Sibley unbeaten on 33.

Essex, unchanged from the team that beat Somerset at Taunton last week, did not hesitate to bat against a Warwickshire attack without injured England pair Olly Stone and Chris Woakes, but soon lost both openers. Nick Browne (2) edged Hannon-Dalby behind, then Alastair Cook (23) was lbw to Will Rhodes’s sixth ball.

Dan Lawrence started like a train, hitting 5 fours from his first 14 balls, then lost steam in reaching 30 from 62 and was derailed by a full-length Hannon-Dalby delivery which eluded an airy drive to hit off-stump.

That triggered a collapse as Matt Critchley nicked a slash at Hannon-Dalby and Adam Rossington lifted Norwell to cover. Simon Harmer was then bowled by Briggs without score after Adam Wheater nicked a good one from Norwell.

Shane Snater lifted Briggs for six but sent an attempted repeat into the hands of deep mid-wicket. Warwick-born Aussie Mark Steketee hung around to help Westley add 30 but then played back fatally to Briggs, who polished off the innings when Westley tried to land one in the Family Stand but was calmly taken by Matt Lamb millimetres inside the rope.

Warwickshire’s reply was given a lively launch by debutant Alex Davies who raced to 22, but Essex hit back through Sam Cook who had him edging to Harmer at second slip, before Steketee trapped Yates lbw.

The seamers bowled well and got a few past the bat in an intense and high-quality last hour but Sibley and Sam Hain survived to add an unbroken 30 in 16 overs.

Warwickshire will start Day Two on 76-2, trailing by 92 runs.

Essex Cricket have a number of matchday catering and bar vacancies currently available at The Cloud County Ground.

The Club are looking for passionate, reliable, and trustworthy members of staff to join the catering and bar staff team on matchdays with a great opportunity to learn new skills in the hospitality industry.

Previous experience is preferable but not essential, and you can also take advantage of:

• Opportunity to progress and take advantage of shifts all year round
• Training to a high standard achieving industry acknowledged certificates
• Gain experience in the Catering, Hospitality, Events and Conferencing industry

IF you are interested in finding out more on the roles or to submit your CV, please contact Essex Cricket’s Catering Manager, Jaime Jacob: [email protected].

Salary: £6.56-£9 hourly rate (dependant on age & applicants must be aged 18 years old and over)