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For the first time since September 2019, spectators will be at The Cloudfm County Ground on Thursday when Essex meet Warwickshire in the next round of Group One matches in the LV=Insurance County Championship.

Essex will be seeking revenge on this week’s opponents having been beaten by the Bears at Edgbaston when the teams met a month ago. That represents one of two defeats for the home side this term but they bounced back with a comprehensive win at Chelmsford when they beat Derbyshire to take over the top spot in Group One last week.

In a closely contested section, Essex have 76 points from their six games, three more than Nottinghamshire and Durham who have both played one match fewer. Worcestershire have 70 points from six matches whilst Thursday’s visitors to Chelmsford have accrued 67 points from their five matches.

Squad:

Hear from Harmer:

Reflecting on the win against Derbyshire, Harmer extended praise to the Essex batsmen for their part in setting up the victory before acknowledging the quality of the Chelmsford pitch.

He said: “Derbyshire won the toss, decided to bat but then the wicket sat under the covers for an entire day, so, there was definitely something there for the seamers and there was something there for the spinners.

“Dan Lawrence played an unbelievable knock as did Tom Westley, as did Nick Browne, as did Alastair Cook. So, if you look at it, it was a really good four-day wicket. There was a little bit of everything if you did your disciplines well.

“I think Chelmsford does produce good four-day wickets, very seldom do you get a poor wicket. I obviously love playing here, the ball always turns and bounces and there’s always something to keep me interested.”

The phenomenal spinner has now taken at least eight wickets or more in a first-class innings on eight occasions; more than any other bowler in the past 50 years.

Commenting on his career-best figures against Derbyshire (9 for 80) and his match return of 12 for 202, the 32-year-old said: “It is a performance-based sport and there are days when you do well and there are games when you don’t do well.

“I’ve had a few games recently where I haven’t taken many wickets so when it is your day you have to cash in big.

“On a batting wicket you can’t get 50 you need to get 150 and if it is turning or there is something there for me, I need to get big wicket hauls. You never know when the next wicket is going to come.”

Injury/Absentees News:

Essex have named a 12-man squad with Peter Siddle added to the team that beat Derbyshire last week.

Opposition:

Warwickshire drew a rain-affected encounter with Worcestershire at Edgbaston in their previous match although there were centuries for Rob Yates and Michael Burgess. Head Coach Mark Robinson is delighted with the progress made by his squad.

Robinson said: “There is a lot of talent here and potential and good players and a good feel around us. We’ve had a calmness and shown some really good resilience at times with the ability to take the punches, not go on the ropes and to bounce back which is a great trait to have as a team.

“There are areas where we are going to get better and areas in which we need to get better, but we are moving.”

Rob Yates proved a thorn in the Essex side earlier in the season with a classy and unruffled century to guide his side to victory.

Essex had been left reeling by a wretched and defining 90 minutes period on Day Three when they lost their first five second-innings wickets for just 36 runs.

Challenged to make 256 to win from a minimum of 82 overs, the Bears reached the winning post with eight balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 120 by 21-year-old opener Yates with Sam Hain offering chief support with 60.

One to Watch:

England opener Dom Sibley is due to return after a minor fracture to the index finger on his right hand when fielding at slip during Warwickshire’s match with Nottinghamshire a month ago. He will be keen to prove his fitness ahead of the Test Series against New Zealand that starts in two weeks.

Head-to-Head:

The two teams last met in the County Championship at Chelmsford in 2019 where the home side took the honours, winning by 187 runs.

Alastair Cook and Dan Lawrence starred in both innings for Essex who totalled 245 (Will Rhodes 5 for 17) and then 316-9 declared. Cook contributed 84 and 53 whilst Lawrence scored 61 and 74.

Peter Siddle then returned 5 for 33 as Warwickshire were dismissed for 161 and then Simon Harmer bagged 6 for 75 as the Bears were bowled out for 213.

In the 122 Championship clashes between the sides, Essex have secured 39 victories and 48 draws with 34 defeats and one match tied.

Potential Milestones:

Nick Browne requires 27 more runs to reach 6,000 first-class runs for Essex.
Adam Wheater requires 2 runs to reach 3,000 first-class runs for Essex.
Jamie Porter requires 4 more wickets to record 350 first-class wickets for Essex.
Adam Wheater requires 7 more victims to reach 150 first-class dismissals for Essex. He has currently claimed 131 catches and 12 stumpings.
Simon Harmer requires 11 more wickets to record 300 first-class wickets for Essex

How To Watch:

Our Live Stream service will be available across all four days of this game from 11am, which also includes player stats, scorecards and clips throughout the day. Access via the Essex Cricket Matchzone is available here.

England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood has named a 15-player squad, which includes Dan Lawrence for the two-match LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June 2021.

Dan Lawrence is in line to make his sixth Test appearance after tours to Sri Lanka and India during the winter.

England will be coming up against a familiar face to Essex fans during the two Test match series with Neil Wagner part of the New Zealand touring party. Wagner was part of Essex’s 2017 County Championship winning squad and travelled from Auckland to the UK this week to join the bio-secure bubble.

After the England series, New Zealand will be facing India in the World Test Championship Final at the Ageas Bowl from June 18.

England Men’s Test Squad:

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
James Bracey (Gloucestershire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson have been called up to the Test squad for the first time. Both have been in impressive form during the early stages of the LV= Insurance County Championship. Bracey has scored 478 Championship runs so far in this campaign at an average of 53, while Robinson has taken 29 wickets at an average of 14.

Both are familiar with the England set-up, having toured as reserves during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India. They were part of the extended squads during last summer’s behind closed doors Test series against West Indies and Pakistan, respectively.

There is a recall for Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton, who last featured for England in a Test match in September 2019 against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford – he will be looking to add to his four Test caps.

Multi-format players Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are rested after completing a quarantine period following the cancellation of the Indian Premier League earlier this month. They will spend some time resting before joining up with their respective counties in due course.

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes (fractured finger) and Sussex seamer Jofra Archer (right elbow) were not considered for selection.

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “The summer of Test cricket will be fascinating. Playing the top two teams in the world, in New Zealand and India, is perfect preparation for us as we continue to improve and progress towards an Ashes series in Australia at the back end of the year.

“With several players not available through injury or being rested for the New Zealand series, it is an opportunity for us to reward those who have been on the fringes of England squads over the past 12 months.

“James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad. They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in.

“Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level. The environment and culture will be something they are used to, and should they be in a position to make their Test debuts, they will be ready to showcase their skills.

“They are both resilient characters and have demonstrated to me, the captain and coaches that they have the desire, temperament and the ability to continually improve to give themselves every chance of succeeding on the international stage.”

In respect of those players injured and rested, Silverwood, added:

“Jofra Archer is to see a consultant this week to understand the severity of his right elbow injury. He struggled in Sussex’s Championship fixture last week and he wasn’t able to bowl on the final two days of the match. We need to get this resolved once and for all to give him the best chance of being fully fit as we build up to an intense winter, which will include a T20 World Cup and the Ashes. We need him firing in all formats of the game.

“Ben Stokes is making excellent progress following his fractured left index finger sustained last month in the Indian Premier League. If he continues to improve without any impact on his rehabilitation, we could see him return next month for Durham in the Vitality Blast competition. We will assess him again towards the end of this month.

“As for the players who have just come out of quarantine after the cancelled IPL, we felt it necessary for them to have an extended break. We need them to recharge mentally. We will then take a view when they return to cricket. It will mean that they will get some competitive matches with their respective counties either in the LV= Insurance County Championship or the Vitality Blast next month. We will work closely with each individual on when they are likely to play again.

“This is the start of our international summer and an exceptionally long winter, so we are mindful that we need the players ready both physically and mentally. Understanding players needs are paramount in our planning and something that will continually develop across the year leading into the World Cup and Ashes campaigns.”

The England Men’s Test squad will report to its London base on Friday 28 May ahead of the first LV= Insurance Test starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June.

LV= Insurance Test Series:

• 1st Test: England v New Zealand, 2-6 June 2021, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

• 2nd Test: England v New Zealand, 10-14 June 2021, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Thank you to 2021 Members who submitted a ticket application for home matches that fall within the Government’s Stage Three guidelines.

The ballot closed on Monday 10 May and open to all 2021 Members as the Club continue the process of the long-awaited return of spectators to The Cloudfm County Ground.

The Club have now completed the Members’ ticket allocation for the LV= Insurance County Championship fixture against Warwickshire on Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 May (Day Four of the match will be behind closed doors) and successful Members for Days 1-3 have now been contacted via email.

Next Steps:

Successful Members for the Warwickshire fixture have been contacted and will receive their match ticket via email, which is required to enter the ground.
Ahead of the match, all ticket holders will also receive an email outlining the information to make the return to The Cloudfm County Ground as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Following the first fixture with spectators, there will be a review before the draw for the LV= Insurance County Championship game against Nottinghamshire with successful Members informed by Monday 31 May.

Please note that admittance into these matches are only for Members who have been successful in the ticket ballot and a match ticket is required for entry. Tickets will not be available to purchase on the gates and entry will not be permitted with a Membership card.

A welcomed return home to The Cloudfm County Ground saw the team clinch a second win in the LV= Insurance County Championship after a battle with both Derbyshire and the weather.

A sensational performance all round saw centuries from Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley, who piled on the pressure to the Derbyshire bowling attack hitting a combined 38 boundaries as the team declared on 412-3 following a delay for bad light.

Simon Harmer’s career-best figures of 9/80 lit up Day Three to enforce the follow-on and set up an accomplished bowling performance on the final day’s play to clinch the victory by an innings and 15 runs.

The Club’s official photographer, Nick Wood covered the match and you can view the game through his camera lens via our Match Gallery.

Scroll through the images and hit the i for further information.

Photo Gallery:

© Unshaken Photography

Cast your vote for the DeVines Player of the Month for the opening month of the season in April. There are four contenders nominated for the award during a period that saw the team record a win a first win of the season over Durham as the LV= Insurance County Championship got underway.

Sam Cook has been impressive form and was the stand-out pace bowler during the period of four matches, taking 18 wickets. Simon Harmer continued to do what Simon Harmer does best by taking 21 wickets, including 10/136 in the match against Durham at Chelmsford.

With the bat, Tom Westley led the way with a stunning 213 in the win over Durham and ended the month with two centuries and 385 runs. Dan Lawrence also started the season in good touch after spending the winter away with England and struck 304 runs across just 6 innings, averaging 50.67.

Vote now:

Who is your April DeVines Player of the Month?

Sam Cook Simon Harmer

Dan Lawrence Tom Westley