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Another hugely successful season on and off the pitch has come and gone for Essex County Cricket Club, and the best of the 2019 campaign was celebrated last Friday in the Club’s on-pitch marquee as the End of Season Gala Dinner took place.

Players from the First Team squad were in attendance, as were sponsors, supporters and staff who have given their all for Essex over the last 12 months.

Essex legend Graham Gooch hosted the event and Simon Harmer scooped several of the big awards, taking the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and the Bowler of the Year after taking 83 County Championship wickets.

After an exceptional T20 campaign with several match-winning performances, Ravi Bopara was named the Eagle of the Year, whilst Dan Lawrence claimed Batsman of the Year having averaged 38.16 in the County Championship and Sam Cook deservedly won First XI Young Player of the Year after claiming 32 County Championship wickets at an average of 21.03.

Aron Nijjar, Robin Das, Derek Harding, Kelly Castle, Liam McFall and Hayden Davies also collected awards over the course of the night, with the full list of winners shown below.

WINNERS:

Player of the Year (sponsored by DeVines Accountants): Simon Harmer
Players’ Player of the Year (sponsored by Weston Homes): Simon Harmer
Batsman of the Year: Dan Lawrence
Bowler of the Year: Simon Harmer
Eagles Player of the Year (sponsored by Woodland Ground): Ravi Bopara
First XI Young Player of the Year (sponsored by Felsted School): Sam Cook
Performance of the Year: Sam Cook vs Kent
Second XI Player of the Year (Sponsored by Greene King): Aron Nijjar
Academy Player of the Year (sponsored by Allen Ford): Robin Das
Club Person of the Year: Derek Harding
Women’s Player of the Year (in partnership with Newham Council): Kelly Castle
Ability Player of the Year (sponsored by Seetec): Liam McFall
Club to County Award (sponsored by the Hamro Foundation): Haydn Davies

A huge thank you must go to the Club’s on-pitch marquee sponsors, D&A Media, Grant Thornton, Greene King IPA, R&D Consulting, Weston Homes and Woodland Group as well as A1 Trophies for making last night possible.

Vote for Simon Harmer in the final PCA Player of the Month award of the season, as he comes up against Darren Stevens, Kyle Abbott and Moeen Ali to complete the list of four nominees.

This month has seen the final three rounds of the Specsavers County Championship unfold at the same time as the knockout stages of this year’s Vitality Blast.

The top performers across the four day and 20-over formats have been chosen via the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings algorithm, with the final winner set to be decided via a public vote.

The MVP algorithm was built by the PCA in conjunction with the players to identify the match-winning performers in any given fixture. Bonus points are awarded for scoring a high proportion of your team’s runs, claiming top-order wickets and taking catches in the field, amongst other important disciplines.

The MVP Rankings, therefore, give a more accurate reflection of the game’s best players than traditional batting or bowling averages do.

Essex’s Harmer claimed the £10,000 prize for being the Overall MVP of the 2019 season after his side’s County Championship title win at Taunton on Thursday. However, the winner of this accolade will be based on performances from the last four weeks of the season.

Previous Player of the Month awards this season have been won by Liam Dawson (April), Harmer (May), Hassan Azad (June), Ravi Ashwin (July) and Tom Banton last time out in August.

Simon Harmer has had a season to remember. Shortly after being crowned as a Specsavers County Championship title winner, Harmy claimed the £10,000 cash prize given to the PCA’s Overall Most Valuable Player.

The 2019 season saw the Overall MVP lead change hands multiple times. Liam Dawson made early inroads before missing much of the domestic summer after being called up to England’s successful ICC Cricket World Cup.

Somerset duo Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton then swapped the lead twice, before Jeetan Patel established himself at the summit of the table, at one stage leading for a 37-day period. However, a late surge from Harmer saw him take the lead just at the right time on 18 September, and he has not relinquished it since.

Harmer eventually accumulated a massive 609 MVP points, surpassing Joe Denly’s haul of 579 last year and Samit Patel’s 535 in 2017. Appearing in 34 fixtures across all formats this season, he averaged an incredible 17.91 points-per-game, well clear of second placed Kyle Abbott’s 15.06 and third placed Patel’s 15.25.

The 30-year-old’s red-ball form has been instrumental to his side’s second County Championship triumph in the space of three seasons. He has taken 83 wickets at 18.28 runs apiece to help the Chelmsford-based side secure the trophy at the expense of Somerset.

Harmer is the man for every occasion and was also instrumental in his side’s maiden Vitality Blast win. On a turning pitch at Edgbaston, the finger spinner took 7-35 across the semi-final and final of the competition – the best ever combined figures returned on the day.

With the Eagles wobbling at 129-6 in pursuit of 149 in the final against Worcestershire, Harmer then came to the crease to smash 18 off just seven balls – including a boundary from the final delivery – to secure the first half of a memorable 2019 double for Essex.

On top of his double team honours with Essex and his Overall MVP victory, Harmer could be on the way to further success as it was revealed he has been nominated for the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year.

The Reg Hayter Cup is one of three major prizes in English cricket that is voted for by the professionals themselves, the others being the PCA Young Player of the Year and the NatWest Women’s Player of the Summer.

Harmer is nominated alongside Gloucestershire’s Ryan Higgins, Warwickshire’s Dom Sibley and England all-rounder Ben Stokes, with the winner collecting the prize at the 50th annual NatWest PCA Awards ceremony on Wednesday 2 October.

Celebrate our history-making double-winning success by coming to The Cloudmfm County Ground to see the Vitality Blast and Specsavers County Championship trophies! This will be an opportunity to have your photo taken with the two trophies, taking place on Saturday (28 September) in our On-Pitch Marquee from 11am – 1pm.

Some of the Essex Eagles squad will also be attendance from 11am for a Q&A session, and an opportunity for photos and autographs following the fantastic achievements in the last week!

This event is open for all Members and supporters with free on-site parking available at The Cloudfm County Ground for the duration of the event. The Essex Store will also be open with replica shirts and merchandise on sale throughout the day.

The River Gate entrance at The Cloudfm County Ground will be closed from Monday 23 September until further notice due to extensive groundwork taking place.

Visitors looking to access the ground/City Centre via the River Gate during this time will have to use alternative routes available via New Writtle Street from New London Road or through Central Park.

Ravi Bopara can’t really make up his mind if he’s excited about the Vitality Blast Finals Day or not. He probably is, but he has played in four before with Essex and not progressed beyond the semi-final stage, so is phlegmatic about this fifth attempt.

The Eagles play Derbyshire Falcons in the second semi-final (2.30pm) at Edgbaston this afternoon, and the veteran all-rounder, now 34, ponders the question of his level of expectation. “I think it is just me and Tendo [Ryan ten Doeschate], and [Adam] Wheater with Hampshire, who’ve been here before. So it’s exciting for everyone else, it being their first time.

“I am excited, don’t get me wrong, but it’s more the focus, the process of what I need to do. It’s not the occasion. I know I’m probably going to have 20 balls to face. What do I do with those 20 balls? What’s the situation going to be when I come in? I’m rehearsing it all in my mind.”

Bopara’s phenomenal hitting in four of the last five games – during which he hammered 215 runs for only twice out at a strike rate of more than 170 – was one of the major factors in Essex climbing from next to bottom in the south group to qualifying for the Blast’s big day. He launched three sixes off his last five balls to carry the Eagles over the line in the quarter-final against Lancashire Lightning.

In fact, of the 134 balls he has faced in the competition this season, 26 have gone to the boundary, many without hitting the ground first. “It’s been a real push towards being a bigger hitter of the ball this season,” he says, “a more aggressive hitter of the ball.

“Because the roles I’ve been playing around the world, including batting at five, six, sometimes at seven, there’s no space for building an innings. One thing you’ve got to accept down the order is you’re never going to be consistent. You’ve just got to be an impact player when you come in.

“I’ve worked really hard on my T20 game, it’s not something that’s just happened by luck. I’ve focused on T20 a lot. Even during four-day practice I’ve had a white-ball in my hand or I’ve batted against the white ball. I knew that at some stage at the back-end of the season it was going to become crucial.

“I think it helped going off and playing second-team cricket. I love playing T20 cricket and it gave me an opportunity to practise things that I’ve always wanted to practise. The problem you have playing as a professional cricketer is that every game you play has a consequence on it. You never really play games where you can practise your skills. But you can in second-team cricket and I was able to work on things that have helped me a lot.”

Bopara is one of the most experienced T20 cricketers around. He has played 329 games, scored 6,583 runs, taken 219 wickets and needs just seven more sixes to reach 200. It would be nice to pass that milestone today, he admits. “Yes, I fancy that,” he muses. “If I hit seven sixes we’d be doing all right …”

With a trip to Taunton on Monday in the Specsavers County Championship that will decide the title – Essex are 12 points in front – Bopara believes someone is smiling down on the county. “What with Hampshire pulling off that victory against Somerset the other day, and us coming back from the dead to reach Finals Day, it does seem like the momentum’s with us. It can either be a great week or an absolute shocking week. But whatever happens it doesn’t matter, no one’s going to remember it in a few years anyway!”

As far as Bopara’s own future is concerned, it looks like being in white-ball cricket rather than red. That future is bound up in T20, T10 and The Hundred and continuing to spend his winters on the sub-continent. “I love travelling, I love playing in new conditions, new players, new teams, it’s always exciting. Some of the stuff you learn from these guys, like Chris Gayle and Andre Russell, how they approach T20 cricket, it’s fascinating.”

RESULT: Essex have won by an innings and 40 runs in their penultimate fixture of the season putting themselves 12 points clear at the top of the County Championship table. The home side dominated onwards from day 2 as the Essex pace attack ripped through Surrey in the first innings before Dan Lawrence and Ryan Ten Doeschate established a sizeable lead for Harmer to play with as he probed through a talented Surrey lineup on day 3. Essex will have little time to enjoy the victory however as they are off to finals day on Saturday before the season finale at Taunton. What an exciting week next week could be for Essex cricket!

17:58 Morkel finally goes for a big shot, he misses, Harmer hits. Thats 7 in the innings for Harmer a fantastic effort.

WICKET: MORKEL, BOWLED HARMER

17:50 Surrey are determined to take this as long into the evening as possible, Harmer and Porter still running in with great intent.

17:39 Ravi is replaced by Jamie Porter at the Hayes Close End.

17:29 Harmer returns at the River End to search for his 7th wicket in the innings.

17:27 Essex are now just one wicket away from going 12 points clear in the Championship with one game remaining.

17:25 Clark hung around for well over an hour, but he is eventually forced to depart for 33.

WICKET: CLARK, BOWLED BOPARA, CAGHT WHEATER

17:23 Surrey have cut their deficit to 64 largely due to Morkel and Clarks tough resistance.

17:08 Harmer is replaced by Beard at the River End as Essex go for seam bowling at both ends.

17:05 little has changed in Chelmsford with Clark and Morkel still frustrating the home side.

16:57 Back to back boundaries for Morkel off of Harmer injects some excitement into what has been a rather quiet last hour here at the Cloudfm ground.

16:51 The hero of the T20 side Ravi Bopara replaces Aaron Beard at the Hayes Close End as Essex look to break this frustrating ninth wicket partnership.

16:45 Beard bustles in from the Hayes Close End bowling decidedly shorter to Clark than in earlier spells. Clark remained unfazed somewhat until one beats the outside edge of the ex-Lancashire mans bat.

16:42 Harmer continues to bowl from the River End and begins to deploy his variations in a bid to dislodge Morkel, even the rarely seen leg-spinner is tossed up, but sadly to no avail as of yet.

16:37 Morkel and Clark remain out in the middle, stoic and turgid. Surrey’s deficit sits at 92.

16:31 Beard is now into the attack replacing Porter at the Hayes Close End, he alongside Harmer is set the task of taking the final 2 wickets needed to secure a terrific innings victory for Essex.

16:29 Harmer moves into his 25th over of the innings, the South African has bowled with guile and skill throughout looking dangerous in each and every over thus far.

16:15 Plunkett caps off a dismal game for himself by edging Jamie Porter to Adam Wheater for a simple catch behind the stumps.

WICKET: PLUNKETT, BOWLED PORTER, CAUGHT WHEATER

16:09 A huge shout for Essex as Clark is struck on the pads playing no shot. Porter and the slips go up in unison, but the umpire remains unconvinced.

16:04 A double dose of good news for Essex fans as Harmer removes the Surrey captain at the same time Hampshire complete a crucial victory over Somerset at Southampton. That means should Essex come out victorious in this fixture they will have a 12 point lead going into the final game of the championship against Somerset.

WICKET: FOAKES, LBW HARMER

16:00 Essex now just need 4 wickets to complete an innings victory here at Chelmsford, Surrey need a further 106 runs to make Essex bat again.

15:53 Nelson strikes, Surrey’s stubborn partnership breaks in just the third ball after tea, Porter getting Clarke to edge one to Harmer who was waiting at second slip.

WICKET: CLARKE, BOWLED PORTER, CAUGHT HARMER

15:50 The players are back out on the field, Essex keen to break a hardy partnership and Surrey hoping to reduce their deficit before today’s close of play.

TEA: Clarke and Foakes have steadied the Surrey ship after Harmer ripped through the top order in the afternoon sun. Essex are still plugging away with great discipline however and will hope to break this stubborn partnership early in the evening session. Surrey still trail Essex’s first innings score by 111.

15:24 The sun is still beating down here in Chelmsford with Porter and Harmer plugging away before tea. Breaking up this partnership is of crucial importance should Essex wish to wrap this game up quickly.

15:17 The experienced heads of Foakes and Clarke are doing a good job in solidifying this Surrey innings, both men demonstrating hardy defensive technique at the moment as they bring Surrey’s 100 up.

15:10 Porter replaces Beard and beats the bat of Foakes with a quick delivery first up.

15:04 Clarke gets an edge on a Beard delivery, the ball flying down to third man for 4, the young paceman has been unlucky this afternoon to remain wicketless.

14:59 Harmer is now into his 16th over, the Essex fans and fielders alike awaiting his next moment of magic. Ravi has a sniff of a chance at short leg but the ball fails to carry. Surrey are 84-5 trailing by 137.

14:45 Rikki Clarke survives the hat-trick ball. Harmer is well and truly on song here, much to the adulation of the Chelmsford faithful.

14:44 Harmer gets Jacks first ball, the magic South African is on a hat-trick

5 WICKET HAUL: HARMER

WICKET: JACKS, BOWLED HARMER

14:40 Harmer has his 4th, Beard taking a smart catch to dismiss danger man Pope.

WICKET POPE, BOWLED HARMER, CAUGHT BEARD

14:36 Beard gets one to keep low, Pope is unable to respond quickly enough but unluckily for Essex the ball skids past the off stump.

14:29 The rotation of the seamers at the Hayes Close End continues with Aaron Beard being brought on by Tendo. The young seamers first few balls looking rather sharp.

14:28 Surrey have moved to 72-3 now trailing by 149, a few shouts from Essex at the River End as Harmer gets the Surrey bats nervously prodding at the ball but no 4th wicket as of yet.

14:14 The late summer weather isn’t the only thing warming up this afternoon, the title race is also! While Essex are motoring along at Chelmsford title rivals Somerset are 5 down in their chase of 281. What a huge afternoon today could turn out to be at the end of the season.

14:12 I doubt anyone is envious of the Surrey batsmen today as Harmer is once again in full flow this afternoon. The South African will be sure to add to his already impressive haul this season moreso this afternoon one would think.

14:11 Smith doesn’t even wait for the umpires decision, Harmer has him pegged in front of all three stumps. Surrey captain Ben Foakes is the new man in.

WICKET: SMITH, LBW HARMER

14:04 Essex still plugging away here at Chelmsford under the bright sun. The young Surrey batsman Smith is showing some flair at the crease where he is partnered by the ever-dangerous Pope. A crucial few overs await.

13:58 Sam Cook replaces Jamie Porter at the Hayes Close End. Pope and Clark the men batting for Surrey.

13:48 A sharp chance goes down off the bowling of Porter, the Essex seamer is working hard at the Hayes Close End and is building fantastic pressure for Harmer to act on at the other end.

13:44 Make that 73! Borthwick can do nothing but chip the ball up in the air where Nick Browne is waiting taking the catch safely as he looked into the bright sun.

WICKET: BORTHWICK, BOWLED HARMER, CAUGHT BROWNE.

13:38 Porter continues to build pressure at one end whilst Harmer probes at the other. Essex looking firmly in control here. Surrey 36-1.

13:29 Harmer strikes removing Stoneman quickly after lunch, Essex will hope this is the start of a great period for the Chelmsford based side.

WICKET: STONEMAN, LBW HARMER

13:20 The players emerge back onto the field where Simon Harmer will look to make a positive start to the session for Essex.

LUNCH: A decent session for Essex who got oh so close to the 400 mark before bowling steadily to the Surrey openers. The pitch looks as if it will offer some assistance to Simon Harmer this afternoon as Essex look to push on and win this fixture.

12:32 What an exciting over that was for Essex fans. Harmer gets the ball talking from his first delivery, Borthwick somehow survives the over.

12:29 Simon Harmer is brought into the attack after just 5 overs, Essex will be hoping he can spin some magic before lunch.

12:27 A tight run from the Surrey openers gives Bopara a chance to effect a run-out on Stoneman with a direct hit, unfortunately for Essex however the ball misses the furniture by just a shade.

12:24 Surrey have moved to 20-0, Porter and Cook still plugging away.

12:14 Sam Cook is the new ball bowler at the River end getting some decent inwards movement on the ball.

12:07 Jamie Porter will kick off the bowling for Essex in this second innings. Bowling from the Hayes Close End he will have Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick in his sights initially.

11:59 Essex fall agonisingly short of the 400 mark and that extra bonus point, Sam cook being caught trying to loft it over the infield. Essex have a first innings lead of 221.

WICKET: SAME COOK, BOWLED VIRDI, CAUGHT BORTHWICK

11:57 Superb batting from Harmer, the perfect innings at this stage.

FIFTY: SIMON HARMER, 46 BALLS

11:45 A reverse sweep now from Harmer against his opposite number. An exquisite shot.

11:44 Another slog-sweep from Harmer goes for 6 much to the delight of the Essex members. Essex 368-9.

11:36 Harmer appears rather keen to get the home side to as large a target as possible, heaving Virdi for a large 6 over long-on.

11:34 Beard is caught in the slip Corden by Pope who took a sharp catch low down.

WICKET: BEARD, BOWLED CLARKE, CAUGHT POPE

11:30 Another batting point secured for Essex who take their points tally for the match up to 6.

11:28 Harmer is coming out on top in the battle of the spinners, the South African playing a superb back foot cut off the bowling of Virdi.

11:19 Beard and Harmer set about rebuilding the Essex innings this morning, both looking assured in defence.

11:11 Wheater advances down the track to Amir Virdi who gets one to turn past the bat, Foakes was sharp with the stumping and his wicket keeping counterpart is sent back to the pavilion. Virdi now has 2 in quick succession.

WICKET: WHEATER, BOWLED VIRDI, STUMPED FOAKES

11:05 Once again the Cloudfm ground is well populated with spectators in this glorious late summer sun all of whom keen to see how this crucial penultimate fixture pans out in its later stages.

11:03 Warm applause ripples around the ground for the captain who departs. Tendo was caught at slip by Rikki Clarke as he tried to force a delivery from Amir Virdi off the back foot. Simon Harmer joins Wheater at the crease.

WICKET: TEN DOESCHATE, BOWLED VIRDI, CAUGHT CLARKE

10:57 A superb knock from the skipper, who showed real intent from the start. Ryan has now scored a century in each of the championship fixtures against Surrey this season.

CENTURY: RYAN TEN DOESCHATE, 120 BALLS

10:54 Surrey turn to spin early in the day, Amir Virdi comes on from the River End with Tendo needing just 2 to reach his second century of the year.

10:45 Ten Doeschate moves into the nineties, the captain is on 94 from 113 deliveries, his eyes may be on a three figure score but first he has to deal with a few sharp bouncers from Morne Morkel.

10:40 Adam Wheater is off the mark with a lovely four, the keeper-batsman guiding a Clarke delivery through mid-wicket with purpose and skill.

10:34 South African quick Morne Morkel begins his morning from the Hayes Close End, Adam Wheater facing the first few balls of his innings tries hard to pierce the infield but is unable to breakthrough in his first few shots of the day.

10:29 Rikki Clarke starts from the River End, bustling in from his mark, Tendo the batsman.

DAY THREE: The sun is back at Chelmsford and Essex will hope they can continue where they left off yesterday. Ryan Ten Doeschate is still at the crease and along with Adam Wheater he is tasked with extending the home sides first innings lead and securing as many bonus points as possible. With the game at Southampton being as tight as it is every moment will count today at the Cloudfm ground.

CLOSE OF PLAY: What a superb day that was for Essex, Porter and Sam Cook were let loose on the Surrey side in the morning session, bending back stumps throughout. Then after a steady start the Essex reply exploded into life, largely thanks to the work of Ryan Ten Doeschate and Dan Lawrence who both batted superbly throughout the afternoon. Lawrence eventually departed for a fantastic 147, getting caught in the slips, Tendo however remains and he along with the rest of the Essex batting order will hope to extend the home sides lead which already stands at 128 before the bowlers set about dismantling Surrey yet again.

18:43 Unfortunately the night-watchman Jamie Porter was unable to survive the rest of the days play as he was pinned in front of the stumps by a full ball from Rikki Clarke. Wheater the new man in.

WICKET: PORTER, LBW RIKKI CLARKE

18:37 Lawrence departs having scored a crucial 147. Jamie Porter enters the field of play tasked with role of night-watchman with just 2 overs of play left.

WICKET: LAWRENCE, BOWLED MORKEL, CAUGHT BORTHWICK

18:30 Rikki Clarke is bowling a tidy finishing spell from the River End beating the bat on a few occasions, the sun is just starting to drop behind the pavilion now and the crowd slowly dissipating.

18:22 Essex maintaining their strong position as the day begins to draw to a close. Elsewhere in the country James Vince has done an excellent job in setting a score for Somerset to chase down in Southampton, which makes for excellent news for Essex fans!

18:07 The 150 run partnership is up, excellent batting from Ryan and Dan!

18:02 Essex are indulging in a late flurry of runs here, Lawrence and Doeschate putting the Surrey bowlers to the sword. Lawrence looking particularly affective cutting Borthwick into the off-side.

17:53 Essex bring their 250 up thanks to a four off Plunkett, the England international going for over 5 runs an over in this innings.

17:49 A sharp stumping from Foakes off of Virdi draws a large shout from Surrey, the umpire however remains unmoved at square leg.

17:41 It’s all calming down now at the Cloudfm ground after the back to back celebrations. Essex in a very comfortable position at 235-4 a lead of 61.

17:33 Dan Lawrence bring up a well constructed ton, leaping to joy and thanking the loud crowd at the Cloudfm ground.

CENTURY: DAN LAWRENCE, 182 BALLS

17:31 Tendo’s fifty bringing up the hundred partnership, it’s been a good day for the home side thus far.

FIFTY: TEN DOESCHATE, 64 BALLS

17:19 Dan Lawrence moves into the so-called nervous nineties, the man from Chingford is currently 97(177).

17:14 Essex bring up their 200 securing another crucial bonus point. At this stage in the season every point counts.

17:09 Tendo moves into the 40’s, the bustling batsman on 43 from just 53 balls.

17:01 Essex begin to grow their lead which currently stands at 11, Clark continues to bustle in from the Hayes Close End as Tendo and Lawrence continue to accumulate in a steady manner.

16:57 Ben Foakes makes a left-field choice giving Scott Borthwick a chance to get his first wicket of the year. The one-time England hopeful will bowl his leg-spinners from the River End.

16:49 The scores are now level, Essex still have 6 wickets in hand, Tendo and Lawrence batting well here as the sun disappears behind the clods for the first time today.

16:37 Virdi is building some nice pressure for Surrey, but the Essex men remain resolute.

16:22 Tendo is ensuring he gets big front foot strides into Virdi who attacks the Dutchman’s pads consistently in his 14th over. the score now sits at 158-4 trailing Surrey by 16.

16:14 Lawrence hits a gorgeous straight 6 off of the bowling of Virdi, leading to the Surrey bowler opting for a change of angle and moving around the wicket.

16:13 Tendo begins his innings in typical swift style with a combination of boundaries and quick running. Merkel and Virdi still plugging away for the visitors.

15:55 Once again a break in play brings a wicket, this time it is Bopara who departs. Essex 125-4.

15:55 WICKET, BOPARA, BOWLED MORKEL

TEA: Essex will head into tea undoubtedly happy with their position. The home side are 121-3 largely thanks to the hard work of Bopara and Lawrence both of whom have batted positively in this second session.

15:22 Dan Lawrence brings up a crucial half century that is warmly applauded by all at the Cloudfm ground.

FIFTY: DAN LAWRENCE, 88 BALLS

15:09 More clever running from the Essex pair yet again, this time taking a single thanks to casual fielding at mid-off. Essex 117-3.

15:06 The two Essex bats showing signs of intent against spinner Amar Virdi who is now in his 7th over of the day, both Bopara and Lawrence playing some aggressive strokes.

14:59 Bopara and Lawrence reach their 50 partnership much to the pleasure of those in the ground.

14:53 Essex bring their hundred up, they now trail by 74 with 3 wickets in hand.

14:47 Dan Lawrence moves into the 40’s, a classy knock so far from the young batsman who will want to build from this base.

14:39 Lawrence and Bopara are beginning to build something of a partnership in front of the healthy Chelmsford crowd, delighting the Essex faithful with gorgeous stroke play and clever running.

14:31 A delightful back foot punch into the off-side from Bopara takes Essex to 77-3.

14:25 Bopara and Lawrence take advantage of some relaxed Surrey fielding to pinch a single of the final ball of an otherwise tight Plunkett over. Amar Virdi is now to begin bowling from the River End.

14:07 Bopara is off the mark with some classy strokes in the 23rd over of the innings, Jordan Clark continues to bowl well from the Hayes Close End.

13:56 Clark gets his third wicket, a full pitched delivery that gets the former England captain. Essex 53-3.

13:56 WICKET, COOK, LBW CLARK

13:42 Lawrence is finding some rhythm playing some gorgeous strokes, guiding the ball to the boundary on two occasions in a Jordan Clarke over. Essex are 42-2.

13:33 Jordan Clark continues to look most dangerous as he and his Surrey side continue to plug away in the afternoon sun. Cook is on 15*, Lawrence 2*, Essex 29-2.

13:26 Morkel begins his second spell, this time from the River End, Cook and Lawrence will hope to build a big partnership in the coming hour.

13:22 Clark strikes first ball after lunch pinning Wesley in front of the stumps.

13:22 WICKET, WESTLEY, LBW CLARK

13:21 Jordan Clark is to continue from the Hayes Close End, Wesley the man on strike after lunch.

LUNCH: Essex go to lunch on 26-1 after an excellent morning for the home side. Jamie Porter and Sam Cook the standout performers thus far both taking 5 wicket hauls.

12:37 Amar Virdi will have a tweak before lunch. Essex resolute at 26-1.

12:27 Westley gets off the mark with a beautiful leg side short for four. Essex are now 20-1.

12:23 Clark strikes with his first ball from the top end. Browne departs leaving the inform Tom Westley to come to the crease before lunch.

12:23 WICKET, BROWNE, BOWLED CLARK

12:10 Essex get off to a steady start. They are 9-0 after the first 5 overs of the innings as the sun continues to beat down here in Chelmsford.

11:54 A maiden from Morne Morkel starts proceedings, Rikki Clarke will open the bowling from the River end.

11:51 The players are back out on the pitch with Essex on a mission to give themselves a first innings lead.

INNINGS: A superb morning from Essex and notably Sam Cook and Jamie porter sees Surrey all out for 174, Essex will now look to get some runs on the board before lunch. Sir Alastair and Nick Browne will open the batting.

11:40 A truly awful shot from Clark allows Sam Cook to clean bowl the Surrey man and collect his 5 wicket haul for the innings.

11:40 WICKET, CLARK, BOWLED SAM COOK

11:38 Virdi and Clark are holding firm despite Cook’s and Porter’s best efforts.

11:27 Porter has the bails on the deck once again as he clean bowls Morkel securing himself his 7th 5 wicket haul of the season. Sam Cook will now have 6 balls of his own to get his 5 wicket haul before Porter resumes his spell.

11:27 WICKET, MORKEL, BOWLED PORTER

11:20 Both Porter and Sam Cook have 4 wickets each in the innings and both will fancy themselves to achieve a 5 wicket haul this morning.

11:17 Plunkett departs for 0, Porter getting one to bend the batsman’s off stump backwards. Essex are now just two wickets away from bowling the visitors out.

11:17 WICKET, PLUNKETT, BOWLED PORTER

11:11 Essex are well and truly on the charge here, Wheater taking a sharp catch off the bowling of Sam Cook. World Cup winner Liam Plunkett is the next man to the crease for Surrey who are currently 159-7

11:11 WICKET: WILL JACKS, BOWLED SAM COOK, CAUGHT WHEATER

11:07 The bowlers at either end are now properly into their stride getting late movement on the ball and bowling with real intent. Essex will hope that Surrey cannot ride out this storm.

11:04 Rikki Clarke’s short stay at the crease is over, Essex firmly on the charge here this morning.

11:04 WICKET, RIKKI CLARKE, BOWLED PORTER, CAUGHT HARMER

10:55 Jamie Porter continues to run in and pump his legs, Essex setting an attacking field to new man Rikki Clarke with 3 slips keeping Adam Wheater company.

10:51 Ben Foakes off stump is displaced from the ground as the little chef gets one to keep low and evade Foakes’ defence.

10:51 WICKET, BEN FOAKES, BOWLED SAM COOK.

10:45 A tense start this morning with Ben Foakes looking much less expansive than he did yesterday evening. Sam Cook and Jamie Porter doing an excellent job in building pressure.

10:32 Jamie Porter completes his unfinished over from day 1 with 3 dot balls. Sam Cook will now go to work from the River end.

10:29 The players emerge onto the pitch ready for what is a crucial day in the Championship title race.

STATE OF PLAY: After a frustrating day for both sides yesterday, Essex and Surrey will hope to turn the game into their direction this morning with the game firmly in the balance. Quick wickets for Essex or a strong partnership for Surrey could set the tone for one side to dominate the later proceedings in this end of season match.

DAY 2: With just over half an hour until play begins, the players are out on the field completing their preparations. The weather here in Chelmsford is a far cry from yesterday as warm sun beams down upon all those in and around the ground.

DAY 1 SUMMARY: After a morning of waiting play finally got underway at 2:15 with 55 overs of play scheduled for the day. Surrey having chosen to bat first lost 2 early wickets before Smith and Pope’s 50 run partnership put Surrey back in a decent position at tea. 2 quick wickets from Sam Cook after the break however swung momentum back in Essex’s favour before the game balanced out, Foakes and Jacks guiding Surrey to the close with a score of 137-4.

17:55 play is called for the day. It will resume at 10:30 AM tommorow.

17:34 The players are leaving the field for bad light after the umpires took readings at both ends of the strip.

17:30 Ten overs remain in the day and Surrey are 133-4. The game is firmly in the balance.

17:26 Porter continues to bowl from the Hayes Close end and has been unlucky to not add a third wicket to his name thus far.

17:15 After a spell of pace from both ends Essex turn Simon Harmer in their search for a 5th wicket.

17:11 The game has entered a slightly quieter phase with both sides cancelling each other out at the moment.

17:04 Porter and Cook continue to plug away hoping to get the Surrey tail in before the end of play.

16:53 Cook removes the other set batsman, Essex on the up here!

16:53 WICKET, SMITH, BOWLED COOK, CAUGHT HARMER

16:39 The players are back out and Sam Cook gets Pope LBW with the first ball. A fantastic start to this evening session.

16:39 WICKET, POPE LBW, BOWLED S.COOK

AROUND THE GROUNDS: Elsewhere in the County Championship Darren Stevens and Sam Billings are putting on a huge stand at Headingley with the former reaching 200*. Somerset are 1 down after bowling Hampshire out for just under 200 and Steven Mullaney has scored a century for Nottinghamshire who are at home to fellow strugglers Warwickshire.

TEA: The players head in for tea with Surrey 88-2.

16:15 Essex continue to plug away in the last minutes before the break. Pope and Smith look resolute however as they both look to press on after making starts.

16:06 With Surrey 77-2, Tendo turns to Jamie Porter for a short burst before tea.

15:59 A leading edge from Smith lands safely off the bowling of Beard.

15:57 The men around the bat continue to be kept interested by Harmer’s tidy bowling. The darker storm clouds around the ground appear to have moved away giving hope that todays 55 planned overs of play will be seen through.

15:49 Beard keeps plugging away beating the outside edge on multiple occasions. Surrey are 70-2.

15:40 A chance drops just short of Harmer at second slip off the bowling of Beard.

15:32 Aaron Beard comes on to bowl his first spell of the game replacing Sam Cook.

15:29 Essex set a very attacking field for Harmer now who has started his spell in his usual dangerous style. Both Bopara and Ten Doeschate placed tightly on the leg side under helmets.

15:25 Another loud shout from Essex, this time Cook taking a catch at first slip from the bowling of Harmer. The umpire however doesn’t give Pope out saying the ball came off the pad and not bat.

15:22 The Chelmsford pitch is showing signs of early turn as Harmer gets the ball to sharply move off the pitch.

15:12 Sam Cook replaces Jamie Porter at the Hayes Close End. There is a huge shout for caught behind down the leg side off his first ball, the umpire however remains unmoved. Surrey 47-2.

15:04 A sharp chance goes down with Lawrence at short mid-wicket diving to the left off the bowling of Harmer.

15:03 Harmer prods and probes as Pope finds himself facing one of the toughest tasks there is in county cricket: scoring runs against Simon Harmer.

14:57 Porter gets Borthwick with an unplayable delivery. The ball shaping in nicely before moving away off the pitch. The catch was sharply taken by Wheater behind the stumps who dived energetically to his left.

14:57 WICKET. BORTHWICK, BOWLED PORTER, CAUGHT WHEATER

14:52 Harmer is brought into the attack from the River end. The South African spinner already has 71 wickets this season and will hope to add to that impressive haul this afternoon.

14:47 Porter gets Stoneman with a sharp delivery as Essex try to make up for lost time this afternoon. Surrey are 36-1. Stoneman out for 16. Borthwick 20*

14:47 WICKET. STONEMAN LBW, BOWLED PORTER.

14:42 A classy back foot punch from Stoneman pierces the offside field for four before a flick into the leg side from the next ball reaps the same result. Surrey are 32-0 after the first 7 overs.

14:33 The first proper LBW shout of the day comes from a Jamie Porter delivery, the umpire however remains unmoved.

14:31 Cook bowls a probing second over, the only runs escaping to the leg side.

14:27 A few muted shouts for LBW in Sam Cook’s first over the only events so far, the Surrey pair batting and running nicely during these early stages.

14:19 Sam Cook is about to begin his opening spell from the River End. The seamer will be hoping to continue his good form following his return from injury.

14:13 The Essex team and the umpires take to the field. Stoneman and Borthwick will open the batting. Porter opening the bowling.

START TIME CONFIRMED: Play will begin at 2:15.

TOSS: A toss has taken place with Surrey winning. Essex will bowl first when play begins.

TOSS NEWS: A toss is expected at 2pm.

UPDATE: The covers are still on with no fixed time for a toss just yet.

LUNCH: An early lunch has been taken here at Chelmsford. More news expected at 12:55.

TOSS DELAYED: With some drizzle in the air and dark clouds overhead the umpires have delayed the toss until further notice. News on here as soon as we have it.

Welcome to The Cloudfm County Ground, where Essex face Surrey in the Specsavers County Championship in their final home game of the season.

Essex face Surrey in the penultimate County Championship match of the season on Monday at the Cloudfm County Ground, with Anthony McGrath’s side looking to record their ninth Championship win of the season.

Essex start the game 8 points adrift of leaders Somerset, who play Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl, before the two title contenders then meet in a potential winner-takes-all clash at Taunton next week and Essex Head Coach Anthony McGrath acknowledges it is an exciting time for the Club.

He said: “Here we are starting the last two weeks of the season and we have put ourselves in the race for two titles, the County Championship and the Vitality Blast, so it’s going to be a fascinating and tense time ahead.

“But we have to concentrate on one game at a time starting with the match with Surrey. We can only look after ourselves. Yes, we have to meet Somerset in the last match but before then we must make sure that we do the business against Surrey this week.

The draw with Warwickshire at Edgbaston last week ended the Club’s winning streak in the Championship, although the side are now unbeaten since the opening match of the campaign.

Reflecting on the match in the Midlands from which Essex emerged with 9 points after following-on, McGrath took encouragement from the batting performances of Tom Westley and Alastair Cook.

The former scored 141 and 97 whilst one-time England captain Cook contributed a typically gritty unbeaten 57 in the second innings as he joined Westley in a partnership worth 157 in 64 overs to save the game.

“Tom had batted beautifully, and we seemed in a good position in our first innings when we reached 230-odd for three. I was looking for 4 batting points and to avoid the follow-on and make a decision from there as to how we wanted to set-up the rest of the game.

“Unfortunately, we then went and had a mad session, things changed, and we missed out on a couple of batting points.

“Although we ended up following-on, we were confident that we could hold out for a draw and so it proved. The way that Alastair and Tom batted on the last afternoon gives us great heart going into the last couple of games.

“We need to put in a really good performance against Surrey and hopefully get the win to set us up for the title decider down at Taunton.”

Essex squad to face Surrey:

Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (Captain)
Ben Allison (65)
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Nick Browne (10)
Varun Chopra (6)
Alastair Cook (26)
Sam Cook (16)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Rishi Patel (12)
Jack Plom (77)
Jamie Porter (44)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31) (Wicket-keeper)

Alastair Cook will be signing copies of his book “The Autobiography” at The Cloudfm County Ground next week.

After the close of play on Day Two (Tuesday 17 September) of our Specsavers County Championship fixture against Surrey, you can head to The Doug Insole Pavilion and meet the former England Captain, who will be signing books from 6:15pm.

In the book, he recounts his rise from Essex schoolboy to England star, the fiery fall-out with Kevin Pietersen and the ruthless decisions a Captain must make. He expands on the highs of leading England to their first series win in India in 28 years, the glory of four Ashes wins and what, finally, convinced him to leave international cricket.

The Times described the book as “bracingly honest about the brutal nature of professional cricket” whilst The Guardian said it was “a fascinating and layered book which delves into the psychological challenges of the game… a timely read.”

Alastair will also be hosting a Q & A session so make sure you come prepared with some questions to test the former England man.

Copies of his book will be available to purchase in the Essex Cricket Store for £20.