Another day, another sold-out Cloudfm County Ground as we host Hampshire on Thursday evening in the Vitality Blast! The match is the fourth Vitality Blast battle of the season with Simon Harmer’s men looking to put on another show in front of the home crowd.
Here’s the low-down on Thursday’s opponents…
Titles: 2 (2010,2012)
Finals Days: 7
Coach: Adi Birrell – The popular South African arrived at the Ageas Bowl in the winter and already has a runners-up medal to his name in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
He has plenty of experience having led Ireland at the 2007 World Cup, along with stints with the Proteas and England Under 19s.
Captain: James Vince – Vince has been Hampshire’s T20 captain since 2013, skippering his county to Finals Day four times during his reign. Having been a member of England’s World Cup squad, he’ll be aiming to continue his successes this summer.
Overseas signing: Chris Morris (South Africa)
The Narrative: Hampshire are out for redemption and revenge. The county suffered their worst T20 campaign in over a decade when they managed just two wins last year. James Vince’s men are still hurting from their Royal London One-Day Cup final defeat to Somerset, but little is more dangerous than a wounded animal.
Star Man: Rilee Rossouw – Has the nickname ‘The Entertainer’ for a reason; crowds are rarely bored when he is at the crease with his power-hitting among the best in the competition. The South African’s strike-rate of 146 for Hampshire is by far the highest in the current side.
Mr Consistency: Liam Dawson – Second in the Hampshire statistics for wickets, runs and catches in 2018, there aren’t too many more rounded all-rounders than Dawson. The left-arm spinner epitomises control in all aspects of his game.
Under the radar: Aneurin Donald – The big-hitting batsman is striking (literally!) his form at the right time. The Welshman recently hit 225 runs at a strike-rate of 118 in a Specsavers County Championship match to warm himself up for the Blast.
Killer stat: No team has more than Hampshire’s seven Finals Day appearances.
Tickets for this match are sold out but you can still catch the Eagles in action this season with 5 other games taking place at The Cloudfm County Ground!
Peter Siddle has been named in Australia’s 17-man squad for the Ashes series which gets underway on August 01 at Edgbaston.
The Australian will be looking to carry on his electric form in English conditions, having taken 34 wickets at 20.08 in the eight County Championship matches he’s played for Essex this year.
Speaking on his selection, Siddle said: “It’s an absolute honour to be called up to the Australia side. Playing for your country is one of the greatest feelings in the world and I can’t wait for it to get started now.
“Essex are in a great position in the County Championship and I’ll be following from afar and supporting the boys in every match. There’s four games left to go and hopefully at the end of September I’ll have two reasons to celebrate.”
John Faragher, Chairman at Essex Cricket, said: “Peter has made a significant contribution to our excellent performances this season and we’re absolutely delighted for him and his family.
“His selection is absolutely deserved and the Club are now exploring other avenues to fill our Overseas player slot for the remainder of the season.”
Another day, another sold-out Cloudfm County Ground as we host Gloucestershire on Saturday evening in the Vitality Blast! The match is the third Vitality Blast battle of the season with Simon Harmer’s men looking to put on another show in front of the home crowd.
Here’s the low-down on Friday’s opponents…
Titles: None
Finals Days: 2
Head Coach: Richard Dawson – The former Yorkshire and England off-spinner took charge of the team in 2015 and led them to victory over Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s that season. He played for Gloucestershire between 2009 and 2011.
Captain: Michael Klinger – The experienced Australian batsman is back for a seventh season with Gloucestershire, playing only in the Vitality Blast, having established himself as one of the most popular overseas signings ever to represent Gloucestershire.
Overseas signings: Michael Klinger (Australia), Andrew Tye (Australia)
The Narrative: While Gloucestershire’s prime objective this summer is promotion in the County Championship, head coach Richard Dawson anticipates a strong Vitality Blast challenge, having seen his side only miss out on a place in the knock-out stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup on run-rate.
Star Man: Andrew Tye – A late developer, the seamer was 26 when he made his debut for Western Australia. Now 32, he was a member of the Australia A squad, who visited England this summer, having been capped by his country in T20 and one-day internationals.
Mr Consistency: Benny Howell – The 30-year-old all-rounder has become renowned for his variety of delivery as a medium-pacer in one-day cricket, using different grips on the ball to regularly bamboozle batsmen.
Under the radar: Tom Smith – The former Middlesex left-arm spinner has become an integral member of Gloucestershire’s T20 side since joining the county in 2013, bowling in mid-innings with a consistently good economy rate.
Killer stat: Gloucestershire have never won the County Championship or the Twenty20 Cup, finishing second six times in the longer format, and losing to Kent at Edgbaston in the final of the 2007 T20 Cup, their best effort in the competition.
Tickets for this match are sold out but you can still catch the Eagles in action this season with 5 other games taking place at The Cloudfm County Ground!
The Cloudfm County Ground is set to host International cricket again on Friday as England Women take on Australia Women in a sold-out Vitality International T20 match. Heather Knight’s side will be looking to turn their form around and record a first win in the Ashes Series.
Take a look at our Match Pack with information on parking, ground entry, food & drink plus more with updates on the match also available via the Club’s official social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Match Timings (Scheduled):
Gates Open: 5:15pm
The Toss: 6:45pm
Play Starts: 7:15pm
Interval: 8:30 – 8:45pm
Close of Play: 10pm
Please note: ticket buyers who have selected ‘e-ticket’ option when purchasing your tickets will be required to print them out in advance of your visit or present your mobile device at the gate.
By Train: Chelmsford Railway Station is operated by Greater Anglia and is an approximate 10-minute walk from The Cloudfm 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, with 5 trains per hour to and from Central London. It takes approximately 8 minutes to walk to the ground from Chelmsford train station.
By Bus: 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.
Parking: There is no parking available at The Cloudfm County Ground for the 2019 season, however the Club operates parking at Meteor Way (open at 10am) for Members at the cost of £1 per car.
The High Chelmsford multi-storey car park is just a two-minute walk to the ground and operating extended hours for this match, closing at 11pm.
There are two entrance points to The Cloudfm County Ground on Thursday; the Driveway entrance and the River Gate. The easy accessible entrance point into the ground is via the Driveway from New Writtle Street, which is suitable for wheelchair users (see entrance system below).
All spectators will be required to scan into the ground on arrival and scan out, if departing more than 15 minutes before the end of play.
Additional tickets are only available to purchase on the gates, and not from the Membership and Ticketing Office.
Gates open at 5:15pm and Please arrive in good time to avoid queues and to find your seat before the start of play.
Anne’s Pantry: A range of food and drink will be available throughout the day with Anne’s Pantry serving at the River End and County Corner. There is a variety of options, including meals suitable for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Meals for this match include gourmet burgers, bratwursts, vegan wurst/burgers, pies, along with our specials for this match available at the Hayes Close End which includes a selection of curries.
Alcoholic drinks will be served in reusable cups, which you will pay a £1 deposit for. This will be returned if you return the cup at the end of the match, or alternatively, you’re welcome to keep as a souvenir!
There is strictly no alcohol or glass permitted to be brought into The Cloudfm County Ground for this match.
Essex Eagles travel to Canterbury on Friday to face Kent Spitfires in their third Vitality Blast clash of the 2019 season, and Head Coach Anthony McGrath has named an unchanged 13-man squad for the match.
A lot of attention will be focussed on hard-hitting opening batsman Cameron Delport, who made a stunning impression on his home debut on Friday night scoring 129 runs as the Eagles beat Surrey by 52 runs.
He reached three figures from only 38 deliveries and when he was finally dismissed, he had faced just 49 deliveries. During an exhibition of powerful and clean hitting, he recorded an impressive 14 sixes and 7 fours.
The 30-year-old admitted that he was desperate to impress on his home debut and said: “I was a bit nervous at the start of my innings particularly after the previous night at Lord’s which was really disappointing.
“I was seeing the ball really well right from the start, but I wasn’t thinking about a century, I just wanted to bat as long as I could for the team. I went onto aggression a bit earlier than I normally would do because we only had fifteen overs but the timing and hitting felt good right from the start.
“When things are going right for you, that’s the time to cash in. You just watch the ball and try to clear the boundaries. I was really pleased to get some runs for the team. You need to launch the innings with a good tempo so that the guys following you can come in and play freely. You don’t want to be cramped up and eating up dot balls.”
Essex Eagles squad to face Kent Spitifres:
Simon Harmer (11) (captain)
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Varun Chopra (6)
Cameron Delport (89)
Ryan ten Doeschate (27)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Matt Quinn (94)
Shane Snater (29)
Paul Walter (22)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31) (wicket-keeper)
Adam Zampa (88)
Essex Cricket and Anne’s Pantry have today announced an extension of their partnership that will see the Anne’s Pantry provide food and drink around The Cloudfm County Ground during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Anne’s Pantry have provided Essex Cricket supporters with delicious homemade, authentic world cuisine since 2016, with options ranging from hog roasts and paella to vegan curries and gluten-free burgers and hot dogs, so there really was something for everybody.
Ruth Howlett, Commercial Activation Manager at Essex Cricket, is thrilled to have extended the partnership and said: “Anne and her team have been amazing at The Cloudfm County Ground over the last few years. They have provided so many different dishes with flavours from all around the world and we received so much positive feedback.
“They also cater in full for vegetarians, vegans and people with gluten-free allergies, which you don’t often find within sporting venues. It’s great for us to know that any person who comes through the gates to watch some cricket won’t be restricted with our menus.”
Anne Glasscock, owner of Anne’s Pantry said: “We’re really excited about our partnership with Essex Cricket and loved being amongst all the action last year. They’re a massive sporting entity within Essex and hopefully their supporters are ready for some more of our tasty affordable street food.”
Somerset Second XI v Essex Second XI Second XI Championship Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 July Taunton Vale
Somerset Team: Marcus Trescothick, Eddie Byrom, Ben Green, Rouse, Josh Davey, Ben Wells, Charley Reed, Tom Hall Jack Brooks, Ned Leonard, Nathan Gilchrist.
Essex Team: Nick Browne, Michael Pepper, Feroze Khushi, Rishi Patel (C), Will Buttleman (WK), Josh Rymell, Aron Nijjar, Robin Das, Sam Cook, Jack Plom, Ben Allison.
Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
Umpires: H M S Adnan & S E Lavis
Result: Match Drawn
Match Summary:
Essex returned from Taunton Vale after a successful week, winning both T20 matches and batting through the final day of the Championship match to ensure they rescued a draw.
The first T20 saw the 2nd XI record their 2nd highest T20 score, 242-9, led by Michael Pepper’s 2nd century in the format in 3 innings (100 off 45 balls, 16 fours, 4 sixes). Pepper was supported in a 121-run 2nd wicket partnership (equalling the Essex wicket record) by Ravi Bopara (35), before the rest of the team continued attacking, with the score also being boosted by a 6-run over-rate penalty.
In reply, Somerset opener Ed Byrom reached his 50 off 22 balls, before falling to his next delivery as the home side made 74 in the powerplay. Ben Green (30) and Tom Lammonby (43 from 23) tried to maintain the required rate, but Aron Nijjar bowled his 4 overs for just 26 to put the squeeze on the Somerset batsmen. Bopara added two wickets to two catches and a direct hit run out to ensure Somerset ended 31 runs short.
In game 2, Essex changed their batting order and looked to be struggling at 99-6 in the 11th over. Bopara, this time batting at 5, dominated an unbroken partnership of 128 (a new competition record) with Shane Snater (27*) providing the supporting role. Bopara hit 13 fours and 7 sixes (one clearing the Taunton Vale pavilion) in his 50-ball 122*, taking Essex to 227-6 (Essex now holding 4 of the top 5 competition scores).
Faced with another daunting chase, Somerset again counter-attacked, but this time fell to 67-7 by the end of the 7th over; Aaron Beard taking 2-18 from 3 overs. Bopara bowled unchanged to take 3-31 from his 4 overs as only Josh Davey (33) provided any resistance, with Somerset eventually being dismissed for 130, 97 runs short, in the 16th over.
Essex chose to bat first in the Championship match on a very dark green-looking pitch, and wickets fell regularly as the visitors were bowled out for 198. The only partnership of note came from Josh Rymell (37) and Robin Das (20) who added 58 for the 7th wicket. Faced with a near 3-hour session in the field in 30+ degree temperatures, Sam Cook made the breakthrough in his 2nd spell to dismiss Byrom, but Marcus Trescothick held up one end. Aron Nijjar took 2 wickets on the first evening, then on day 2 tempted Trescothick (93) down the track with Will Buttleman completing the stumping.
Nijjar added a 4th wicket (4-84) before being forced from the field with a thumb injury. With Cook also limited on overs on his return from injury, Jack Plom and Ben Allison carried the attack, aided by Michael Pepper, bowling for the first time for the 2nds. Two Somerset youngsters, Ben Wells (a maiden Championship century, 112*) and Tom Hall (40) added 133 for the 7th wicket as the home side reached 397, a lead of 199.
Despite the loss of Nick Browne in the first over of the 2nd innings, Pepper continued his good form scoring 110, and with Feroze Khushi (90), added an Essex record 2nd wicket partnership against Somerset of 215 to clear the deficit. Rishi Patel then scored his first century of the season (102), adding a further 116 for the 4th wicket with Will Buttleman, who completed a half-century just before the players shook hands on a draw.
England Women have named their squad for the Vitality IT20 series against Australia, the final part of the multi-format Women’s Ashes series which begins at The Cloudfm County Ground on Friday 26 July.
With the score at 8-2 to the visitors, England need to win all three remaining games to tie the series 8-8. Australia retained the urn with the drawn Kia Women’s Test at Taunton.
The squad sees a first call-up for Essex’s Mady Villiers, reward for her approach and performance during England Women’s Academy’s series against Australia A.
Captain Heather Knight said: “We’ve got to get ourselves up to go again and give it everything across these last three matches.
“We came back strongly in Australia in 2017 and it would feel very different if we ended up at 8-8. That has to be our aim now and we want to finish strongly.”
Heather Knight (Berkshire, Captain)
Tammy Beaumont (Kent)
Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)
Kate Cross (Lancashire)
Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)
Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)
Jenny Gunn (Nottinghamshire)
Amy Jones (Warwickshire)
Laura Marsh (Kent)
Nat Sciver (Surrey)
Anya Shrubsole (Berkshire)
Sarah Taylor (Sussex) Mady Villiers (Essex)
Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)
Danni Wyatt (Sussex)
Watch England in action on Friday against Ashes rivals, Australia with play set to get underway at 7:15pm under the lights at Chelmsford. Tickets are priced from £15 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adults (18-25) and £5 Juniors (U18s).
Essex had to wait for more than a century before lifting a first piece of silverware but when that landmark occasion finally arrived to blow the dust out of the trophy cabinet, two titles were won in the same season.
Today (Sunday 21 July) marks 40 years since the Benson & Hedges Cup arrived in the Club’s grasp, and this was soon followed by a County Championship title.
It was not until 1894 that Essex were accorded official first-class status. They later competed in the County Championship for the first time in 1895 but it was not until that unforgettable summer of 1979 that the keys to unlock that trophy cabinet were first needed.
The man that steered the County into their previously uncharted successful territory was Keith Fletcher. “Our success was built on great talent and tremendous teamwork,” he says. “Everyone played a significant role and I was proud to have been at the helm.
A few weeks before they were crowned champions, Fletcher lifted the Benson & Hedges Cup at Lord’s after beating Surrey by 35 runs; the county’s first major honour.
“The atmosphere was electric and the staggering thing was that 90 percent of the crowd appeared to be supporting us,” Fletcher recalls. “I must admit I was a little nervous as we tossed up, but I also had the feeling it was going to be our day. The air was split with a tremendous roar every time we struck a boundary and took a wicket.”
It was spearheaded by Graham Gooch who demonstrated his immense class and power with a brilliant century that pointed the way to a total of 290 for six from 55 overs.
Denness and Gooch added 48 for the first wicket before the gifted McEwan arrived on the scene to share in one of the most thrilling partnerships witnessed in a limited-overs final at Lord’s.
By lunch the pair had carried the total to 166 without further loss at nearly a run-a-ball. This was before McEwan’s majestic knock of 72, containing 10 boundaries, was ended shortly afterwards when he was caught behind by Jack Richards.
Fletcher struck a brisk 34 before being bowled by Roger Knight. Gooch was fifth out, bowled by Hugh Wilson for 120 with the total on 273. He walked off to a standing ovation having smashed three sixes and 11 fours.
It was the first century recorded in a Benson & Hedge Cup Final and predictably won him the Man of the Match Gold Award.
Gooch insists that the match ranks as the number one game in the Club’s history. “It was our first ever trophy,” he said. “We had been runners-up a couple of times in the John Player League but the first Benson & Hedges Cup Final was a special day. Not only for the players who had been there a long time, such as Keith Fletcher, Ray East, Stuart Turner, David Acfield, John Lever and all those guys but all the Members and supporters who had shown faith for so many years.
“The thing to remember as a player is that it’s not about how many runs you score or how many wickets you take, but the number of games in which your performances influence the outcome for your side. That innings I played at Lord’s in 1979 helped get us over the line.”
To their credit, Surrey made a valiant effort to mount a serious challenge. Although they lost Alan Butcher and Monte Lynch before the 50 was raised, Knight and Geoff Howarth were to revive them with a stand of 91. That was broken by a quite brilliant catch from wicket-keeper Neil Smith diving a long way to his left to get rid of Knight for 52.
With Surrey requiring 100 from the final eight overs and with seven wickets in hand. Howarth hooked Lever to fine leg where Denness put down the catch.
“Mike came across and said “Sorry, I should have caught it” recalls Lever. “I told him not to worry and asked him how he thought things were going.
“His response was that ‘everything is okay and we are in firm control’. That had a reassuring effect on me and the other lads who heard him. Like ‘Fletch’, he was a calming influence and didn’t panic.”
A few deliveries later Howarth’s fine knock ended for 74 when Fletcher held on to a skier at mid-wicket.
“I couldn’t look as the skipper got underneath it and turned my back,” remembers Hardie. “But a few seconds later I heard a tremendous roar and knew he had held it.”
Essex went on to strengthen the grip and victory arrived in the 52nd over when Wilson was bowled by Lever. He finished with 2 for 33 from 9.4 overs, Phillip with three for 42 from 10, East two for 40, Keith Pont two for 67 and Turner 1 for 47.
“I recollect ‘Fletch’ throwing his arms around me when the last Surrey wicket went down and then it was time to celebrate,” said Lever. “I had arranged for the players and their partners to have dinner at the Victoria Sporting Club, win or lose, and that’s where we went off to celebrate.”
For Fletcher, still actively involved with his beloved County in an advisory role, the victory remains his proudest moment and greatest thrill in an Essex sweater.
Simon Harmer has been named the DeVines Player of the Month for June, after picking up 44% of the votes, beating Alastair Cook and Jamie Porter to the award. The win completes back to back awards for Harmer.
The South African was potent with the ball throughout June, taking 12 in the match against Hampshire at the Cloudfm County Ground as he finished with remarkable figures of 12-61 in the match. Elsewhere in the month he took wickets against both Yorkshire and Somerset as the side really came into their own during June.
Simon has been a huge part in the recent great form and is a deserved winner of the June DeVines Player of the Month.
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