Search Results for: I

Essex Eagles v Middlesex

Vitality Blast

The Cloudfm County Ground

Team News:

Essex Eagles: Tom Westley, Adam Wheater (wk), Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Jimmy Neesham, Josh Rymell, Paul Walter, Simon Harmer (c), Aron Nijjar, Shane Snater, Sam Cook.

Middlesex: Sam Robson, Joe Cracknell, Daryl Mitchell, Max Holden, John Simpson (wk), Luke Hollman, Blake Cullen, Nathan Sowter, Tom Helm, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Steven Finn (c).

Match Details:

Umpires: Graham Lloyd & Ian Gould
Toss: Middlesex, who elected to bat
Result: Middlesex won by 9 runs

Match Highlights:

Match Reaction: Aron Nijjar

Match Report:

The Eagles Vitality Blast campaign came to a disappointing conclusion when they lost by 9 runs to Middlesex at The Cloudfm County Ground.

Faced with a total of 169-5, they stuttered to 160-9 and were left reflecting on their eighth defeat in the competition.

Having won the toss, the visitors lost Max Holden, who had made an unbeaten century in the corresponding fixture last year, for a duck to the last ball of the opening over, sent down by Sam Cook.

However, it was Aron Nijjar who once again underlined his value as a left-arm spinner. His 4 overs cost just 20 runs during which he claimed the wicket of top-scorer Sam Robson.

The opener struck 2 sixes and half-a-dozen fours while scoring 60 from 44 deliveries, he finally perished when he holed out to Jimmy Neesham at deep long-on.

Daryl Mitchell scored 44 which included 1 six among his 4 boundaries, whilst Joe Cracknell and John Simpson offered 24 each to provide the main contributions in support of Robson.

The second-wicket stand between Tom Westley (37) and Dan Lawrence (29) was broken immediately after the pair had completed a 50 partnership in 5.1 overs, before Michael Pepper teamed up with Westley to add 25 in 3.1 overs.

That partnership came to a close when Westley was bowled by Luke Hollman with the total on 93 in the 11th over and the innings subsided. The fourth wicket went down 2 runs later with the demise of Pepper before Jimmy Neesham and Josh Rymell raised hopes with a stand of 37 in 4.5 overs.

The one encouraging spot from the Eagles perspective was that of debutant Rymell, who struck 4 boundaries while making 21 from 17 balls.

But when he was dismissed, towards the end of the 17th over, the Eagles collapsed.

Neesham picked out deep mid-wicket having scored 20 and was quickly followed by 3 more wickets in 7 balls as the Eagles succumbed tamely.

Their hopes of lifting a trophy this season now rests with the Royal London One-day Cup. They start their campaign with a visit to Hampshire on Thursday before entertaining Middlesex at The Cloudfm County Ground once again next Sunday.

The Cloudfm County Ground is set to host Essex Eagles v Middlesex on Sunday afternoon for the final match in this year’s Vitality Blast. The match gets underway at 2:30pm and the ground continues to operate under COVID-19 protocols which are outlined below.

We are looking forward to welcoming supporters once again to Chelmsford in the last fixture under stage three guidelines.

We want to make sure supporters are all set ahead of visiting and we advise following the information below carefully.

If you have any COVID-19 related symptoms then please do not travel to the ground and follow the Government guidelines.

View our checklist to make sure you have everything ready:

• Your ticket is a QR code that has been sent to you via email. If you choose to print it out 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.

• Pack adequate clothing and sun protection if required so you are prepared for all eventualities.

• Most seated areas are uncovered so we advise bringing a compact foldable umbrella should rain be forecast for the day. Should it rain on the day of the game, we advise not attending and keeping up to date with the prospect of play via the Club’s social media channels.

• Read and understand the COVID-19 Spectator Code of Conduct – view here.

• Spectators can bring food and drink with them however there is strictly no glass or sharp objects permitted. Please note that we are currently unable to offer hot food options at our refreshment kiosks.

• The importation of alcohol is prohibited for Vitality Blast matches.

• Locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no parking available on-site at The Cloudfm County Ground. Meteor Way will be open for Members today from 11am on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be operating extended opening hours to supporters and closes at 8pm.

The seating zones for this fixture are located in the River End (Areas 1-18) and Hayes Close End (Areas 24-31).

Please arrive as per the block details displayed on your ticket and view your designated entry/exit times below.

The designated ground entry times are:

• Entry is only via the designated gate stated.

• Face masks must be worn on entry and arrival into the ground.

• Before you can enter the ground you will be greeted by an initial ticket check, followed by the mandatory bag check. Please do not bring large bags as these will hold up others in the queue.

• Please follow the directional signage and guidance on your way into the ground as you make your way down to the entry gate.

• Please have your match ticket ready and you will be required to scan the QR code to enter.

We want to make your experience as safe and enjoyable as possible with the guidelines and protocols currently in place.

• Face masks must be worn when moving around the ground and can be removed once positioned in your allocated seat.

• Your ticket includes a block, row, and seat number. This is your sole designated seat for the day and you are not able to change seat unless authorised by a Steward or member of staff.

• Snack and drink bars are open to spectators and alcohol will be on sale.

• The Cloudfm County Ground is cashless this season and purchases can only be made using a debit/credit card.

• Please remain seated throughout the game and during breaks unless visiting the food/drink areas or using the toilet facilities. You will not be permitted to walk to other areas of the ground during your visit.

• Please refrain from moving in and out of your seat during overs.

• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be closed for the duration of your visit, however, you can make an order online at www.essexcricketshop.co.uk or contact [email protected].

At the conclusion of the day’s play, spectators will be required to exit the ground as below and stewards will be on hand to direct you safely out of the ground;

You can find other important information regarding visiting The Cloudfm County Ground under Stage Three guidelines via the Club’s COVID-19 Code of Conduct.

We hope you have an enjoyable return to The Cloudfm County Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be sent to Members before the match by email.

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.

Essex Eagles v Middlesex

Vitality Blast
The Cloudfm County Ground
Sunday 18 July
2pm start

Essex Eagles entertain Middlesex at The Cloudfm County Ground in their final Vitality Blast fixture in what has been a disappointing T20 campaign for the home side.

Defeat by Hampshire Hawks on Friday ensured that the Eagles were unable to reach the quarter-final stages of the competition for the second year in succession having won the trophy in 2019.

Their record this term in the tournament is 5 wins and 7 defeats, with 1 game washed out.

Middlesex too have struggled and are also only playing for pride on Sunday. They currently prop up the South Group with just 3 wins from their 13 matches.

Squad:

Harmer’s View:

Following the Eagles defeat by Hampshire Hawks on Friday, skipper Simon Harmer pulled no punches in his assessment of the latest defeat and the Eagles T20 season overall.

He said: “We put ourselves into a strong position in the match but couldn’t see it through which is very disappointing.

“It’s been a disappointing competition for us from start to finish.

“There were glimmers of hope there for us but I think as a whole, we haven’t been good enough. Our skills haven’t been good enough and so we have only ourselves to blame. we need to find ways to get better, there are lots of opportunities flying around but it just hasn’t been our tournament.

“Yes, it’s a tough group but we can look back and reflect that we could and should have been achieving a lot better than we have. It’s something that we will discuss in-depth later.

“Meanwhile, we have our final game on Sunday and even though the competition is over for ourselves, we have to go into that game with Middlesex with the right attitude and put on a professional performance.”

Opposition:

Middlesex will be without top-scorer Stephen Eskinazi on Sunday who suffered a torn groin muscle this week when batting against Leicestershire in the County Championship whilst Eoin Morgan is away leading England in their T20 series with Pakistan.

However wicket-keeper batsman John Simpson returns to the side having played in all 3 of England ODI’s against Pakistan.

Paceman Steven Finn captains a side that has plenty of bowling options. Seamer Tom Helm, also a member of the England ODI squad v Pakistan, is joined by Blake Cullen, Daryl Mitchell, Martin Andersson whilst the visitors could also field Nathan Sowter, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Luke Hollman to present a three-man spin attack.

In their latest match when playing against Kent Spitfires on Friday night, Middlesex suffered a heavy defeat when they were bowled out for 80 after their opponents had scored 157-8. Top-scorer for the beaten side was last man Mujeeb Ur Rahman who contributed 13 whilst the only other batsmen to post double figures were Varun Chopra and Helm, who both scored 12.

Head to Head:

Despite the lowly positions of the teams, there was an exciting clash when they met at Lord’s last month. Stephen Eskinazi carried his bat for 102 out of 183-2, but Dan Lawrence (59), Michael Pepper (43) and Jimmy Neesham (30) appeared to have put the Eagles on the road to a comfortable victory.

At the start of the 18th over, they needed 16 with 7 wickets in hand. Then with the total on 170-3, the innings imploded as the Eagles lost 5 wickets in 10 balls for 9 runs as nerves took over.

But skipper Simon Harmer remained clear-headed and struck the winning boundary from the only ball he faced to see the Eagles to victory off the final scheduled delivery of the match and with 2 wickets to spare.

How to Watch:

There will be a Live Stream service from The Cloudfm County Ground which will be broadcasting ahead of play from 2pm via Essex Cricket Matchzone. The stream will also be available via the Essex Cricket YouTube Channel.

Access via the Essex Cricket Matchzone is available here.

Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles

Vitality Blast

The Ageas Bowl

Team News:

Hampshire Hawks: James Vince (c), D’Arcy Short, Joe Weatherley, Colin de Grandhomme, James Fuller, Liam Dawson, Lewis McManus (wk), Chris Wood, Scott Currie, Mason Crane, Brad Wheal.

Essex Eagles: Tom Westley, Adam Wheater (wk), Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Jimmy Neesham, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Simon Harmer (c), Aron Nijjar, Shane Snater, Sam Cook.

Match Details:

Umpires: Neil Bainton & Ian Gould
Toss: Hampshire Hawks, who elected to bat
Result: Hampshire Hawks won by 18 runs

Match Report:

Essex Eagles interest in this season’s Vitality Blast competition came to an end when they suffered an 18 run defeat to Hampshire Hawks.

James Vince underpinned a challenging Hampshire total of 171-8 with England international Vince contributing 63 from 46 balls whilst D’Arcy Short and Colin de Grandhomme weighed in with 30 and 32 respectively.

Sam Cook proved the most successful Eagles bowler with 3/34 and then despite 60 from Dan Lawrence and 39 by Tom Westley, the Eagles were bowled out for 153 in 19.2 overs.

The Eagles, despite losing Adam Wheater for a duck, made good progress as Westley and Lawrence carried their score to 85 just before the halfway stage before Westley was stumped stepping down the wicket to Mason Crane.

But there was little meaningful contribution from elsewhere.

Jimmy Neehsam was bowled for 2 whilst Michael Pepper was caught behind for 3 to leave the Eagles 105-4 in the 14th over.

3 more wickets fell in the next 3 overs including Lawrence, who was caught by the wicket-keeper off Scott Currie and with 4 overs remaining, the Eagles required another 45 with 4 wickets intact.

13 runs were collected from the next two overs then Aron Nijjar became a fourth victim for keeper McManus and 18 were needed from the final over.

However, with the first ball, Brad Wheal bowled Shane Snater and repeated the effort with his next delivery as Cook had his stumps rearranged to leave the Eagles licking their wounds and the Hawks still holding aspirations of a quarter-final place.

Vince showed his quality timing the ball superbly and hitting cleanly in an innings that included 1 six and 6 fours. He and Australian Short got the innings off to a fine start after the home side had won the toss and were not parted until the start of the ninth over by which time, they had put 69 runs on the board.

It was Aron Nijjar that got the breakthrough when Short, on 30, reverse swept the ball into the safe hands of Cook. And 2 deliveries later and without addition, the same pair teamed up to account for Liam Dawson.

Having arrived at the halfway point of their innings on 86-2, the Hawks were contained by their own shortcomings as each of the 8 wickets to fall were caught, 7 in the deep.

Vince drove Simon Harmer to Jimmy Neesham at deep mid-wicket then Colin de Grandhomme’s promising innings of 32 was concluded by Ryan ten Doeschate with a diving catch at deep mid-wicket.

That left the Hawks 132-4 at the start of the 17th over.

Harmer claimed Joe Weatherley for 10 whilst James Fuller found the tallest man in the side when driving a ball from Shane Snater to Paul Walter at deep mid-off.

In the final over, Cook collected 2 wickets in as many deliveries having Chris Wood and Lewis McManus, who had clubbed 2 sixes, caught for 1 and 25.

Cook finished with 3 for 34 taking his haul of victims to 18 in the competition whilst Harmer returned 2 for 26 and Nijjar 2 for 30.

Essex County Cricket Club can today announce that Varun Chopra has joined Middlesex on loan for their Royal London Cup campaign, as well as the upcoming Vitality Blast match against Kent Spitfires.

The 34-year-old will join up with his new teammates immediately and will be available for selection for Friday’s T20 clash with the Spitfires at Lord’s. Chopra however will be ineligible to play against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford on Sunday 18 July.

Ahead of his loan move, Chopra said: “I’m really pleased to be heading to Lord’s and I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m looking forward to linking up with my new teammates and hopefully scoring some runs and contributing to a successful 50-over campaign.

“I’d like to thank Essex for allowing the loan move to go ahead as it’s a great opportunity for me and one I’m keen to get to stuck into.”

Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, added: “The loan move will be a great opportunity for Varun to go and get some game time.

“He’s found his First Team opportunities hard to come by this year and we wish him well during his spell with Middlesex.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today confirmed the points allocation from the abandoned LV= Insurance County Championship match between Derbyshire and Essex.

The match is treated as a draw and in accordance with Playing Condition 16.2.3, both teams have been awarded eight points for a draw plus the bonus points they had accrued before the match was abandoned; total points – Essex (11), Derbyshire (9).