After being on the road with a trip to Nottingham last week, we now head back to HQ for a home clash against Yorkshire, which begins on Sunday.
The important games keep on coming with Sunday’s opponents currently sitting in third position, after their most recent victory over Surrey moved them ahead of Hampshire in the Division One table.
Timings (subject to change):
Gates open at 10am for all spectators with play set to get underway at 11am. News from the toss will come at 10:30am on Day One but Play Regulations permit the away side to have an uncontested toss and bowl first, should they wish.
11am-1pm: Session One
1pm-1:40pm: Lunch
1:40pm-3:40pm: Session Two
3:40pm-4pm: Tea Break
4pm-6pm: Session Three
6pm: Close of Play
Please note: Due to pitch position, the Foundation Stand will not be open to Members for this fixture.
Parking:
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 operate parking at Meteor Way (open at 8am) 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 is open until 10pm (6pm for Sunday on Day One).
Food & Drink:
The Cloudfm County Ground offers a wide range of home-cooked food options including meals suitable for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets, plus also smallers options for our younger Eagles!
Our bars are also located around the concourse area at either ends of the ground, as well as in the Doug Insole Pavilion for Members, serving a choice of lagers, ciders, ales, wines and soft drinks.
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!
You are allowed to bring in 4 cans of beer/cider, or a bottle of wine, in line with the Ground Regulations. There is strictly no glass or metal/sharp kitchenware permitted in The Cloudfm County Ground.
Spectators looking to enjoy our Members’ Meal Offer must make orders at the Doug Insole Pavilion bar with table service also in operation. This offer also allows you to watch the match from the Woodland Group Premier Marquee.
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Tickets:
Tickets for the match are on sale now with a discount available when purchased in advance.
Day Two: Chairman, John Faragher will be hosting a Q&A session for Members in the Doug Insole Pavilion during the lunch break.
Day Three: We will be welcoming the Dance Network’s ‘Keep Dance Alive’ to the ground on Tuesday who work with schools and community groups to raise the profile of dance across Essex. This will be their second visit to the ground this season and they will be taking to the outfield during lunch.
For any further questions, please feel free to drop the Club an email to [email protected].
The celebratory fist pump Nick Browne performed on reaching his hundred at Trent Bridge spoke volumes as two long years of pent-up frustration were finally released.
Browne had waited since mid-summer 2017, and his 221 in the pink-ball game against Middlesex, before passing three-figures for the 15th time in his first-class career.
“It’s been a long time coming,” the 28-year-old left-hander admitted after his 163 against Nottinghamshire ended the drought. “It’s been frustrating not being able to kick on and get that big score.
“I wouldn’t say it played on my mind, but I think it’s always going to be there if you haven’t scored the runs you wanted to score.
“I’ve been hitting the ball nicely the last month or so. I always thought only time would tell, to be honest. I felt I was going to make someone pay at some stage. But I kept finding ways to get out after getting starts. I finally got there – and it felt brilliant.”
Last season his form was restricted by a debilitating hand injury suffered in the nets, and this year the Chelmsford wicket has not been conducive to excessive run-scoring. The ball has kept low and Essex have only once compiled more than 241 in the first innings, despite winning all four Specsavers County Championship matches at home.
Browne, too, had struggled in the first half of this summer, scoring 252 runs at an average of just under 23, before his seven-and-a-half-hour marathon at Notts took him to 415 at 34.58. Not that averages hold much sway in the Essex changing room.
“Because the wickets at Chelmsford have been hard to bat on, I think it’s quite easy to get into ‘Oh, he’s getting low scores, he’s only averaging whatever’. It’s all relative to the wickets that we’ve been playing on. For us, it is all about outscoring the opposition and trying to get a lead on first innings. It’s about contributing and getting something on the board for our bowlers to bowl at.
“Yes, Trent Bridge was a much better wicket and I was able to play my game. As a batter I’d like to play on that every week. But we’re getting results at Chelmsford – and that’s all that matters really, isn’t it? We’re winning games on those types of wickets, so I wouldn’t want to change it.”
There has been a discernible change in approach from the usually obdurate Browne in recent weeks. He says: “The last few games at Chelmsford I decided that if it pitches up, I’ve got to hit it because there could be a good ball around the corner. In the Somerset game [when he scored identical 29s in each innings} I was trying to get runs before they got me.”
The four-day match at The Cloudfm County Ground against Yorkshire, starting on Sunday, marks the fifth anniversary of Browne’s maiden first-class hundred.
However, while there was a two-year hiatus between centuries Nos 14 and 15, there was only a day separating his first and second back in 2014 against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.
“Was that really five years ago?” he says. “I think I’ve improved since then. I’m definitely more confident, definitely have more shots. I think I was a very limited player when I first started. Hopefully I can keep improving. And keep scoring hundreds. And winning games.”
Essex sit second in the Championship, 15 points behind Somerset, going into back-to-back home games against third-placed Yorkshire and Warwickshire before the T20 break.
Browne says: “We’re winning games at Chelmsford – there’ll be results there, we’re not worried about that – but if we can get wins away from home I can’t see why we can’t give Somerset a run for their money.
“We’ve got to hang on to their coat-tails until they slip up. I can’t see why we can’t push them right to the end. We had to stop their momentum and knock their confidence the other week at Chelmsford. Hopefully they’ll slip up again and we can take advantage.”
Nick Browne marked his performance against Nottinghamshire by signing a new two-year contract on Friday, which will keep him at the Club until at least the end of the 2021 season – Read More
Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that opening batsman, Nick Browne, has signed a contract extension and will stay with the Club until at least the end of the 2021 season.
The 28-year-old made his first-class debut in 2013 against Worcestershire and has gone on to score 5,327 first-class runs for the side at an average of 42.27. Browne was hugely influential for Essex during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, as the Club won the Specsavers County Championship Division Two and Division One titles, respectively.
He joins the list of homegrown players committing their futures to the Club in recent weeks and marked it with his highest score of the season, hitting 163 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Monday.
Browne is thrilled to sign an extension and said: “I’m delighted to sign a new contract with the Club for a further two years, as Essex is my boyhood club and very close to my heart.
“This is a golden era for Essex and I feel this squad of players can win a lot more trophies over the next few years.
“Playing in this team is an absolute delight, I have so many close friends and we are such a tight group of players and staff, which can continue to move forward towards winning more Championship titles.
“The team and I are focused on repaying the great support we receive from Members and supporters with success and enjoyable cricket.”
Head Coach Anthony McGrath is pleased to see Nick extend his contract and said: “Nick is a tremendous batsman and his runs have won us countless matches over the last few years.
“It’s no coincidence that our title-winning campaigns coincided with his best seasons with the bat. He’s integral to what we are trying to achieve, and he will almost certainly play a crucial role in any future triumphs at Essex.”
Tom Westley also signed a new three-year contract on Thursday, keeping him at Chelmsford until the end of the 2022 season – Read More.
Essex Cricket are pleased to announce that Greene King, the UK’s leading brewer and pub company, has extended its partnership with the Club and will continue to sponsor ‘The Greene King IPA Stand’ for the next two years.
Darrell Fox, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, is delighted that Greene King have extended the partnership and said: “We’ve worked really hard with Greene King over the last four years to continue to improve the drinks offering at The Cloudfm County Ground.
“On a matchday in the Doug Insole Pavilion we have Greene King IPA and six real ales available, which has gone down really well with our Members. Each year we’ve worked together to improve our drinks offering and service on matchdays and this season we’ve introduced real ales in the County Corner bar for the first time. For our Vitality Blast fixtures, we will also be launching a gin bar serving six different gins and a variety of mixers, all supplied by Greene King.
Simon Edgar, Head of Sales – Anglia and South, Greene King said: “We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with Essex Cricket, continuing to build on the great range of brands which we are sure visitors to The Cloudfm County Ground will enjoy.
“Greene King is a huge long term supporter of sports clubs and associations throughout the UK, with Greene King IPA the official beer of England Cricket.
“Our close working partnership with the Commercial team at Essex Cricket means together we will continue to explore new ideas and opportunities to make the matchday experience for fans the very best it can be.”
About Greene King:
• Greene King was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. It currently employs around 39,000 people across its main trading businesses; Pub Company, Pub Partners and Brewing & Brands.
• It operates c. 2,900 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, of which c.1,750 are retail pubs, restaurants, and hotels, and c.1,150 are tenanted, leased and franchised pubs. It’s leading retail brands and formats include Hungry Horse, Farmhouse Inns, Chef & Brewer, and the Greene King Local Pubs estate.
• Greene King also brews quality ale brands from its Bury St. Edmunds and Dunbar breweries. Its industry-leading portfolio includes Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale and Belhaven Best.
Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that top-order batsman, Tom Westley, has signed a contract extension and will stay with the Club until at least the end of the 2022 season.
Vice-Captain Westley is an Essex Academy graduate and has gone on to make 152 first-class, 80 List A and 60 T20 appearances for the Club since making his debut in 2006.
The homegrown batsman had no hesitations in extending his contract and said: “I’m delighted to extend my contract at Essex County Cricket Club. I have been here since I was 13 in the Academy, and have only ever seen my career and future at Essex.
“I love the club and the supporters, so committing to Essex was straightforward. Hopefully I can repay their faith in me by scoring runs for Essex over the coming years.
“We have a very ambitious squad and coaching staff, and a fantastic dressing room, led by Ryan ten Doeschate and Anthony McGrath. Hopefully we can build on the success the Club has had in recent years and make this an era to remember.”
Head Coach Anthony McGrath is pleased to see Tom extend his contract and said: “Tom is a fantastic batsman and has scored plenty of runs for us over the years, so it’s great news for everyone associated with Essex that he’s extended his stay.
“He’s integral to what we are trying to build and achieve at the Club so it’s terrific that he’s going to be here for years to come.”
Essex Cricket are delighted to announce that Wilkin & Sons have extended their partnership with the Club and will carry on sponsoring ‘The Tiptree Stand’ for the next three years.
Darrell Fox, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, is pleased that Wilkin & Sons have prolonged their partnership and said: “I’m immensely proud that Essex Cricket are working with one of the most famous brands in Essex with worldwide recognition. Tiptree have been a partner of the Club for well over 15 years and I’m looking forward to extending this long and happy relationship.
“Tiptree and Essex Cricket share the same values of being proud of their local heritage and the partnership is a great fit for both brands, with the Tiptree products being used across The Cloudfm County Ground. I would challenge any restaurant or venue to offer a better homemade scone with jam than what Tiptree provide at Essex Cricket.”
Scott Goodfellow, Managing Director at Wilkin & Sons, said: “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of this talented local team. We take great pride in our long-term partnership with Essex Cricket and we look forward to the next three years of high-quality cricket and fine hospitality at the Club”
About Wilkin & Sons:
The Wilkin family have been farming at Tiptree, Essex, since 1757, and making quality preserves since 1885. They grow a wide range of traditional English fruits and use them to make conserves, condiments, and other treats in their nut-free factory by the farm. Tiptree products are made to cherished recipes and are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Fruit is inspected and prepared by hand then cooked in small batches using traditional, copper-bottomed pans. They supply an extensive range of conserves, marmalades, honeys, sauces, condiments, fresh fruit, teas, cakes, biscuits, fruit juices, gift packs, fruit gin liqueurs, Christmas puddings, and even natural wax candles. They received their first Royal Warrant from George V in 1911, and remain Royal Warrant holders as purveyors of Tiptree Products to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Every member of staff is part of their Employee Benefit Trust, giving each a keen interest in the future of the business.
Nottinghamshire v Essex Specsavers County Championship Sunday 30 June – Wednesday 03 July Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire Team: Ben Slater, Ben Duckett, Chris Nash, Joe Clarke, Steven Mullaney (c), Samit Patel, Tom Moores (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Luke Fletcher, Stuart Broad, Jake Ball
Essex Team: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence, Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate (c), Adam Wheater (wk), Simon Harmer, Peter Siddle, Aaron Beard, Jamie Porter
Toss: Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to bat
Umpires: Michael Burns & Billy Taylor
Result: Essex win by an innings & 123 runs
Day Four: Match Highlights
Day Four Reaction: Anthony McGrath
Day Four Reaction: Simon Harmer
Day Four: End of Match Report
Essex beat Nottinghamshire by an innings and 123 runs in the Specsavers County Championship to keep the pressure on Somerset at the top of the Division One table.
The victory was completed 40 minutes into the penultimate session as Ryan ten Doeschate’s men recorded their first away win of the season and fifth of the Championship campaign, when they bowled Nottinghamshire out for 183 in their second innings.
Once again, the guile of Simon Harmer proved influential as the off-spinner returned 4 for 35 from 40 overs in the second innings which included 24 maidens. Harmer’s latest performance takes his tally of wickets to 49 in the competition for the season.
The home side were already facing a comprehensive defeat when they started the final day on 100 for 5 and they lost their remaining wickets for a further 83 runs as Harmer orchestrated their complete capitulation.
Ben Duckett spent 35 minutes at the crease in the morning, adding 7 runs to his overnight score before he injudiciously attempted to late cut Harmer and saw the ball end in Adam Wheater’s gloves.
Next to depart was nightwatchman Luke Fletcher for 11 and he was another victim of the Wheater and Harmer double-act. By the end of the first hour’s play, just 18 runs had been scored for the loss of two wickets.
The Essex charge to victory was temporarily halted by Tom Moores and Ravi Ashwin who posted 43 in 13 overs before the former, on 14, dragged on to a delivery from Aaron Beard which knocked out middle stump.
All the while, Harmer was wheeling away at the Ratcliffe Road End without a break, inducing batsman after batsman to frequently play and miss. His morning spell saw him reach the interval with the remarkable figures of 17-12-9-2.
Lunch was called with the Nottinghamshire score reading 165 for 8. The break offered the bottom of the table side, whose last win in the Championship was achieved at Chelmsford in June 2019, some needed respite.
The new ball was taken three overs into the afternoon session and 9 overs later, the match was concluded.
Harmer trapped Stuart Broad in the crease for 6 and then Jamie Porter returned to have Ashwin caught at mid-on by Peter Siddle for 35.
Essex had been in command throughout the match with the seam attack all supporting Harmer’s efforts with a clutch of wickets that were spread around whilst Nick Browne and Ravi Bopara’s centuries underpinned a batting performance that saw the county post their highest score of the season so far.
Essex took 22 points from the match and although Somerset extended their lead at the top to 15 points, the West Country outfit will be looking over their shoulder as the Essex charge has seen them win five of their last six matches.
Day Four: Lunch Report
Essex are on the verge of victory against Nottinghamshire having reduced the home side to 165 for 8 at Trent Bridge, still trailing by 141 runs to make Essex bat again.
Simon Harmer claimed two of the three wickets to fall in the session during a spell that saw him send down 12 maidens in 17 overs at a cost of just 9 runs.
Starting the day on 100 for 5, the hosts made pedestrian progress before losing Ben Duckett 11 overs into the resumption of play. Duckett had added 7 of the ten runs that had been scored when he attempted a late cut and bottom-edged a Harmer delivery into the waiting gloves of Adam Wheater.
Nightwatchman Luke Fletcher, who had stayed around for almost an hour, pushed outside off-stump and edged a Harmer delivery to Wheater to give the gloveman his seventh victim of the match.
There was much playing and missing, particularly against Harmer but it was Aaron Beard who picked up the last wicket of the morning.
Tom Moores and Ravi Ashwin had composed an uncertain 43 runs taking the total onto 158 when left-hander Moores, on 14, lost his middle-stump when he dragged the ball on, ending his stay which had lasted 66 minutes.
Ashwin was 23 not out at the break accompanied by Stuart Broad who has yet to get off the mark.
Day Three: Match Highlights
Day Three Reaction: Ravi Bopara
Day Three: Close of Play Report
After fashioning a first-innings lead of 306 runs, Essex reduced Nottinghamshire to 100 for 5 to end the third day with every prospect of securing a first away Championship win of the summer.
Essex posted a highest score of the campaign before declaring on 519 for 9, with Ravi Bopara contributing 135. This followed with the bowling attack making inroads into the Nottinghamshire batsmen to leave the home side in all manner of trouble taking the first four wickets for only 49 runs.
Pacemen Jamie Porter, Peter Siddle and Aaron Beard wasted little time in heaping troubles on the Notts side who are currently winless and prop up the Division One table. Spin later came into play with Simon Harmer taking a wicket late in the day to leave the visitors on the cusp of victory.
Porter raced in to remove home captain Steven Mullaney for a duck in only the third over of the innings. Siddle was next to strike, trapping Chris Nash in front of his stumps after the batsman had struck all of Notts’ 13 runs on the board.
That wretched start for the beleaguered hosts was made worse when opener Ben Slater pressed the self-destruct button and was run out for 10 to leave his side 40 for 3.
Backing-up, he set off for a run after Joe Clarke had played the ball into the covers only to be sent back, but he failed to beat the throw from Beard to the non-striker’s end as Simon Harmer removed the bails.
Then nine runs later, Clarke himself departed for 21 and Beard was again involved when the 21-year-old sent down a ball that was feathered by the batsman into Adam Wheater’s gloves.
Samit Patel and Ben Duckett kept the Essex attack at bay for an hour adding 46 runs until, with a little more than three overs remaining for play, Harmer persuaded Patel (20) to edge an intended drive to Alastair Cook at slip.
Duckett will resume on 32 with nightwatchman Luke Fletcher on 4.
Earlier in the day, Bopara had completed his second ton of the season (his 27th for the county) as Essex amassed a mammoth advantage. After second day batting hero Nick Browne had departed to the fifth ball of the day without addition to his overnight 163, Bopara took over to rule the roost.
He stroked the ball with aplomb on either side of the wicket and also nudged and nurdled singles to keep the scoreboard ticking over in a display of consummate control and authority.
Ravi’s stay at the crease spanned five hours and 24 minutes and he had faced 242 balls, striking 11 boundaries to record his highest score for Essex since hitting 192 against Warwickshire in 2017.
He received fine support from his colleagues who followed Nick Bowne, after the opener was out lbw to the fifth delivery of the day by Stuart Broad.
Ryan ten Doeschate and Wheater scored 22 and 23 respectively, Harmer chipped in with 20 before Siddle struck an aggressive 33 that included a couple of sixes.
Bopara was finally dismissed when he fell to a brilliant one-handed diving catch by Broad on the deep mid-wicket boundary and the declaration followed immediately leaving the Essex attack to successfully plot the downfall of the opponents for the second time in the game.
Day Three: Tea Report
Having declared on 519 for 9 to gain a first innings advantage of 306, Essex soon had Nottinghamshire reeling when they reduced the home side to 25 for 2 by tea.
Nottinghamshire skipper Steven Mullaney, who top-scored with 74 for his side first time around, was an early casualty. Facing Porter’s tenth delivery of the second innings and without a run on the board, he completely misjudged the line, shouldered arms and lost his off stump. That gave Porter his 33rd Championship wicket of the season.
Soon after, Chris Nash, who had scored all 13 of the home side’s 13 runs, was pinned in front of his stumps by Peter Siddle as Nottinghamshire’s survival hopes sank lower but Ben Slater and Joe Clarke carried their side through the remaining four overs before tea. Both batsmen were fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt after close lbw claims by the visitors.
Slater, who faced 24 balls before scoring his first run was 8 not out and Clarke 4 not out at the interval.
Ravi Bopara had underpinned the visitors batting on the day, hitting a serene 135 that spanned 242 deliveries and embracing 11 boundaries. He had resumed overnight on 62 and moved seamlessly to three figures shortly before lunch. It was his second century of the season and his highest for the county since he took 192 off the Warwickshire attack in the title winning season of 2017. It also brought him a 27th first-class century for Essex.
When the declaration arrived an hour into the afternoon session, Essex had recorded their highest total since they posted 517 for 7 declared against Somerset at Chelmsford in June last year.
Lower order contributions helped to build the score with Simon Harmer scoring 20, whilst Peter Siddle hit 33 from just 39 balls. Siddle’s innings included two sixes, the first of which he launched over the ropes from Samit Patel to get him off the mark.
When Bopara’s innings ended, he had spent just short of six and a half hours in the middle and his occupation at the crease only came to an end when Stuart Broad pulled off a wonderful one-handed diving catch at deep mid-wicket.
At that juncture, Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate called a halt to the innings and unleashed a bowling attack for a second time with more than four sessions of the match remaining.
Day Three: Lunch Report
Ravi Bopara posted an unbeaten century to ease Essex to a lunch score of 457 for 6, extending their first innings lead to 244 runs against bottom of the table Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
It was the second time this summer that the all-rounder had reached three figures and his latest effort was chanceless, as he reached the interval on 110 not out.
Bopara stroked the ball around the wicket with his trademark wristy strokeplay whilst also nudging and nurdling the singles to keep the scoreboard ticking along as Essex turned the screw on their opponents.
Ryan ten Doeschate and Adam Wheater chipped in 22 and 23 useful runs respectively to support Bopara’s efforts before Simon Harmer joined Bopara through to lunch to reach the interval on 16 not out.
The visitors lost three wickets in the first session of the day whilst adding 112 runs to their overnight score and it was second day centurion Nick Browne who was the first to depart and without addition to his overnight score. Facing England new ball bowler Stuart Broad, the left-hander was trapped in the crease, adjudged lbw for 163.
It was left to the indefatigable spinner Ravi Ashwin, who has so far sent down 56 overs in the innings, to collect the two other victims of the morning. Ten Doeschate had wasted little time in reaching 22 from 33 balls when Ashwin brought him forward to gain the lbw decision and end a 38-run partnership.
Wheater was even more rapid, striking three boundaries from the first ten balls that he faced as the Essex total clicked past 400. Then with the score on 422, Wheater attempted to sweep Ashwin and was trapped leg before.
Harmer then arrived to accompany Bopara to his century, duly completed with a push for a single into the off-side after the batsman had faced 184 deliveries that included nine boundaries.
Day Two: Match Highlights
Day Two Reaction: Nick Browne
Day Two: Close of Play Report
Nick Browne provided a magnificent unbeaten innings of 163 as Essex reached the end of Day Two on 345-3 and a lead of 132 runs over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Browne’s insatiable vigil has so far seen him face 366 deliveries and has embraced 27 boundaries during his 7 and a half-hour sojourn at the crease, a commitment that has put the visitors in a forceful position to go on and record their first away victory of the season.
The left-hander batted with typical grit and composure although he was always quick to produce some sweet cover and leg-side drives whilst also cutting freely to illustrate controlled aggression.
It was the 15th occasion that he had scored a first-class century and the first in the Championship since his 221 versus Middlesex at Chelmsford at the end of June 2017.
He arrived at the milestone with the 17th boundary of his innings and had faced 250 balls before a further 62 balls, that included another ten fours, saw him reach his 150.
Browne received excellent support from Dan Lawrence and Ravi Bopara.
With Lawrence, 120 runs were added for the third wicket after the departure of Tom Westley, who added 17 runs to his overnight 25 before being caught at slip to give thee tireless Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin his first Notts wicket.
Lawrence pulled and drove freely as bat increasingly dominated ball throughout the day. His positive strokeplay and excellent running between the wickets with Browne had taken his score to 64 and Essex 2 runs past the Notts first innings total of 213.
Then, facing the fourth over of the new ball, he played outside the line and had his off stump knocked back by Luke Fletcher.
But for the dispirited Notts side, further unrewarding toil was to ensue as Bopara strode purposefully and confidently to the crease. The new arrival got off the mark with 3 runs and then watched from the non-striker’s end as Browne reached three figures with a boundary off Fletcher, a milestone that was celebrated by another rope tickler a couple of deliveries later and off the same bowler.
Bopara, typically wristy and forceful on the drive, accompanied Browne to a third batting point for Essex, and the pair posted a hundred stand in 24 overs.
The cut-off point for bonus points was reached with Essex 319 for 3, and Bopara’s half-century arrived shortly after from 85 deliveries and included 6 fours. It was the third time this Championship campaign that the stylish batsman had passed 50, one of which he turned into a century.
Bopara has contributed 62 in an unbroken partnership worth 110 and Essex will be looking to him and Browne to inflict further misery on their opponent’s when they resume in the morning.
Day Two: Tea Report
Nick Browne has batted throughout the day to put Essex into a strong position at tea on the second day of their Championship clash with Nottinghamshire.
The left-hander reached the interval on 115 out of 241 for 3 to put the visitors 28 runs ahead so far on first innings.
He and Dan Lawrence completed a third wicket stand worth 120 to ensure that Essex held the aces in their bid to secure a first away win of the season in the competition and to leave bottom-of-the-table Nottinghamshire facing further ignominy.
There was a rare moment of indiscretion for the assiduous opener when, having scored 81 out of 179 for 2, he turned a delivery from seamer Jake Ball to square leg but Joe Clarke spilled the chance. It was a rare lapse in an otherwise mature innings for Browne who posted his highest score of the season thus far.
Meanwhile Lawrence was eschewing possible demise with sensible shot-selection that included wristy strokeplay and impressive driving through the covers in a display full of authority.
He arrived at his third fifty of this Championship campaign having faced 101 deliveries that embraced seven boundaries as he and Browne spared no opportunity to continue towards putting their county into an influential position.
Their century stand arrived from 245 balls with the opener contributing 40 runs and Lawrence 59 and in the same over as the milestone was reached, the 200 was posted to give Essex their first batting point and fourth bonus point of the match so far.
The duo had taken their side two runs past the Nottinghamshire total of 213 when Lawrence on 64, fell victim to the new ball playing outside a delivery from Luke Fletcher.
Browne though continued remorselessly. With Ravi Bopara (7 not out) now for company, he struck a ball from Luke Fletcher to the boundary to reach the ropes for the 17th time from the 250-balls to become the first centurion of the match. Browne celebrated the milestone with another boundary two balls later.
It was the 15th time in his Essex first-class career that he had reached three figures and it was the first time he had reached three figures in the Championship since the end of June 2017.
Day Two: Lunch Report
Nick Browne batted superbly throughout the session as Essex enjoyed an excellent morning’s play to reach the lunch interval on 155 for 2 to trail Nottinghamshire by just 58 runs at Trent Bridge.
The left-handed opener was 67 not out equalling his highest score of the Championship season when playing against the same opposition at Chelmsford. At the break, he and Dan Lawrence had posted an unbeaten 60 for the third wicket with the latter 36 at the interval.
Resuming the day on 72 for 2, Browne and Tom Westley played with caution initially before Westley started to break free of the shackles. He had added 17 runs in 33 balls to his overnight score when he became the only victim of the morning session.
He had taken two fours in the space of three Ravi Ashwin deliveries and had advanced to 42 when the Indian Test spinner had the last word when the batsman nicked a ball to be picked up at slip by Steven Mullaney.
That ended a second wicket partnership worth 85 runs and left Lawrence to continue the fight. He was to prove a perfect ally to lynchpin Browne.
Lawrence collected the first of his 7 boundaries when cutting a ball from Ashwin that also brought up the 100. The batsman produced a series of crisp cuts and drives, and he collected three successive boundaries from the same bowler.
That was after a drive by Browne that raced to the ropes brought up the opener’s boundary count to 8 and deliver him to his half-century from 126 balls.
Browne had batted, at that stage, for 151 minutes and his exemplary concentration was to extend throughout the session.
At lunch, he had faced 162 balls and struck 11 fours whilst Lawrence’s innings has thus far spanned 63 balls and included 7 boundaries.
Day One: Match Highlights
Day One Reaction: Adam Wheater
Day One: Close of Play Report
Essex arrived at the close on 72-1 having dismissed Nottinghamshire for 213 on the opening day of the County Championship clash at Trent Bridge. Nick Browne will resume on 39 and Tom Westley on 25 with the pair having so far posted a partnership worth 62 runs.
Peter Siddle, Jamie Porter and Aaron Beard took three wickets apiece at a cost of 38, 49 and 62 runs respectively while Simon Harmer chipped in with the other as the visitors attack prospered after a morning a session that realised just a couple of scalps one each to Porter and Beard – whilst 97 runs were scored.
Nottinghamshire, bottom of the table and still winless in the competition won the toss but once Beard ended a third-wicket partnership worth 55 runs between Steven Mullaney and Chris Nash, the home batsmen floundered against a lively pace attack that bowled with vigour throughout.
With the assistance of wicket-keeper Adam Wheater, Beard struck twice in 11 deliveries at a personal cost of 5 runs. He removed Nash for 28 and then opener Mullaney, whose three hours sojourn at the crease for 74 spanned a little over three hours. Those dismissals took the 21-year-old’s tally to 11 wickets so far in only his third Championship match the summer.
Siddle then trapped Joe Clarke in front of his stumps for 15 and half the home side were back in the pavilion for 151 runs.
Samit Patel cut and drove effectively but lacked support in his attempts to restore the innings into calmer waters.
Indian Test player Ravi Ashwin was trapped leg before by Porter for 5, Tom Moores was beaten by a beautifully flighted delivery from Harmer before he had got off the mark and then Porter pinned Luke Fletcher in front of his stumps for a single as Notts were reduced to 168 for 8 having lost six wickets for 42 runs.
Patel found an ally in Stuart Broad with whom 43 runs were accrued in ten overs before Siddle wrapped up the innings. Patel, on 39, moved across his stumps to give the Australian his third wicket and Essex a third bowling point.
Then in his next over, he had Jake Ball caught behind when the number 11 flicked at a delivery angled down leg side leaving Broad 19 not out and Essex with 23 overs to face in the late afternoon.
The England bowler though was soon back in action when gaining the prized wicket of his former International Test Captain Alastair Cook in his second over of the visitors reply.
Having scored 2 of the 10 runs on the scoreboard, Cook pushed at a ball outside off to be caught by the wicket-keeper.
However, with good judgement, Browne and Westley revealed a series of clean struck drives on both sides of the wicket to round off a satisfying day for the visitors who trail by 141 runs with nine first innings wickets intact.
Day One: Tea Report
A wonderful afternoon session for Essex saw Nottinghamshire reduced to 194 for 8 at Tea after the home side lost six wickets for 97 runs in the session.
Aaron Beard and Jamie Porter shared four of the victims whilst Peter Siddle and Simon Harmer enjoyed a success apiece as the home side, having started the afternoon period on 97-2, added 29 more runs before capitulating from 126-2 to 168-8 inside 19 overs.
The incisive Beard started the slide with two wickets in 11 balls at a personal cost of five runs removing Chris Nash and Steven Mullaney for 28 and 74 respectively. The batsmen had taken their third wicket stand to 55 when both were pouched by Adam Wheater to similar deliveries that were angled into the leg side.
Siddle, back on the ground where he spent part of the 2014 campaign playing for Nottinghamshire, sent Joe Clarke on his way for 15 after the former Worcestershire batsman got his feet tangled up in front of his stumps.
Beard was rested with figures of 3 for 48 but the home side’s problems continued when Porter struck in his second over. Moving the ball with real zip, he proved too quick for Ravi Ashwin who was leg before for 5 on his Notts debut. That wicket gave Essex a second bowling point.
The return of Harmer proved the downfall of Tom Moores who was deceived by the flight and bowled without score, and then Porter’s lively full-length delivery trapped Luke Fletcher in front of his stumps for 1.
Samit Patel though provided a resilient approach and together with Stuart Broad, ensured the hosts reached Tea without further problems. Patel will resume the final session of the day on 30 whilst Broad is 11 not out.
At tea, Beard had figures of 3 for 62, Porter 3 for 49, Siddle 1 for 30 Harmer 1 for 32 and Ravi Bopara 0 for 15.
Day One: Lunch Report
Nottinghamshire, who won the toss, were 97 for 2 from 29 overs at the end of the first session of play with Steven Mullaney unbeaten on 57 and Chris Nash 14 not out in the County Championship clash with second-placed Essex at Trent Bridge.
Jamie Porter and Aaron Beard were the wicket-takers for the visitors who named an unchanged line-up form the side that beat Somerset last week.
The match saw a return to the Test match venue for Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle, who spent a year with Notts back in 2014 taking 37 wickets in 11 Championship matches.
He took the new ball with Jamie Porter and it was the latter that found the breakthrough.
Porter struck in his second over of the match and with his 11th delivery. Ben Duckett had scored 8 of the 13 runs on the board when Porter angled a ball away from the left-hander to find the edge and Alastair Cook at first slip took the catch.
Mullaney, promoted to open the innings, played forcefully from the start. He greeted the introduction of Simon Harmer just before an hour’s play by clearing the ropes over wide long-on and the off-spinner was quickly removed from the attack having conceded 9 runs from his over.
The Notts captain and left-hander Ben Slater raised a half-century stand in 14 overs and had carried the total to 71 when Beard struck in his 4th over.
Slater, on 14, pushed forward but the ball carried through and Adam Wheater completed a fine catch low down diving in front of slip.
Porter might have had a second wicket when Mullaney, within 7 runs of his fifty, cover drove but Nick Browne at cover point was unable to hold onto the ball.
Mullaney went on to complete his 73-ball half-century that also included a second maximum blow when he pulled a ball from Porter over the ropes.
At the break, Porter had taken 1 for 32, Beard 1 for 24, Harmer 0 for 17, Siddle 0 for 22 and Ravi Bopara’s single over was a maiden.
Essex welcomed annual visitors, the Netherlands to Garon Park with both sides claiming a victory and undoubtedly gleaning valuable match practice.
The touring side included a familiar face in Essex bowler, Shane Snater who represented his country on this occasion and impressed with the ball, taking 3-25.
Fresh from a new contract for the Club, Matt Quinn impressed with the ball in Game Two, taking 4-10 off just 3.1 overs to get valuable practice and stake a claim for the upcoming Vitality Blast competition.
Essex Second XI v Netherlands Second XI T20 Friendly: Game Two Tuesday 02 July Garon Park, Southend
Essex Team: Michael Pepper, Feroze Khushi, Rishi Patel, Paul Walter, Will Buttleman (WK), Aron Nijjar (C), Josh Rymell, Alex Agedah, Darren Ironside, Jack Plom, Matt Quinn
Netherlands Team: Tobias Visee, Bas de Leede, Pieter Seelaar (C), Tony Staal, Scott Edwards (WK), Shane Snater, Hiddle Overdijk, Philippe Boissevain, Wesley Barresi, Ben Cooper, Vivian Kingma
Toss: Essex Second XI won the toss and elected to bat
Umpires: PD Nicholls and PH Richardson
Result: Essex 2nd XI won by 36 runs
Match Summary:
The Essex second string ensured it was a case of ‘honours even’ after winning an altogether more competitive encounter with the Netherlands at Garon Park.
The Dutchmen displayed notable athleticism in the field, while their bowlers appeared to be making short work of the Essex batting order – leaving the hosts floundering on 48/6.
However, Alex Agedah offered the Dutch attack a conundrum, scoring a quickfire 64 off 39 balls – hitting four boundaries and equally as many 6’s – before becoming Vivian Kingma’s second victim of the day following a deceptive delivery from the right-arm medium man.
Feroze Khushi followed up his 62 from the previous day with 25 as Essex closed on 142/8 – Kingma, 2/18, and Hiddle Overdijk, 2/28 the pick of the Dutch bowlers.
Nevertheless, despite appearing to be in a strong position, the Netherlands response spluttered. Matt Quinn impressively finished with 4/10 from just 3.1 overs, while Darren Ironside again impressed with 3/23 as the visitors were dismissed in the nineteenth over.
Essex Second XI v Netherlands Second XI T20 Friendly: Game One Monday 01 July Garon Park, Southend
Essex Team: Michael Pepper, Feroze Khushi, Rishi Patel, Paul Walter, Will Buttleman (WK), Aron Nijjar (Capt), Josh Rymell, Chris Benjamin, Darren Ironside, Jack Plom, Matt Quinn
Netherlands Team: Tobias Visee, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Pieter Seelaar (Capt), Tony Staal, Scott Edwards (WK), Shane Snater, Hiddle Overdijk, Philippe Boissevain, Wesley Barresi, Ben Cooper, Vivian Kingma, Brendon Glover
Toss: Netherlands have won the toss and elected to bat
Umpires: PJ Sparshott & GW Marshall
Result: Netherlands won by 60 runs
A strong Dutch side proved too strong for Essex’s second string in the first of two T20 matches between the sides at Garon Park, Southend.
Stylish right-handed bat, Max O’Dowd, impressed the small but enthusiastic, crowd carrying his bat to a century off just 57 balls – a knock which included eleven 4’s and three 6’s as the Dutchmen posted a competitive 200/4.
Ben Cooper chipped in with 37 before he was trapped lbw by Matt Quinn. Meanwhile, Darren Ironside finished with 2/41 following an otherwise tough examination of the Essex bowlers.
The Essex response was largely a case of fits and starts. Feroze Khushi provided the only innings of note, finishing unbeaten on 62. However, with those around him falling relatively cheaply, the result was never really in doubt.
Essex’s right-arm medium, Shane Snater – representing his country on this occasion – impressed with the ball, taking 3/25 while there were two wickets apiece for Vivian Kingma, Brendon Glover and skipper, Pieter Seelaar.
Match reports courtesy of Brian Jeeves
Upcoming Second XI games:
8-10 July v Surrey (Championship – Billericay)
16th-18th July v MCC Young Cricketers (Championship – Coggeshall)
19 July Two T20 v MCC Young Cricketers (SET20 – Coggeshall)
22-24 July v Somerset (Championship – Taunton Vale)
25 July Two T20 v Somerset (SET20 – Taunton Vale)
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Essex Cricket are pleased to announce that T Bello Group have partnered with the Club and will be providing fans with plenty of offers and deals on Taco Bell products over the next two years.
The partnership will see the introduction of a “Taco Cam” at Vitality Blast matches, which will give fans the opportunity to be featured on the big screen and win free Taco Bell goods.
Greg Larkin, Commercial Sales Executive at Essex Cricket, is delighted that T Bello Group have become a partner and said: “Taco Bell are one of the biggest food organisations in the world and we’re really looking forward to working with their franchise operator T Bello Group over the next two years. We have some great fan engagement ideas lined up for our home Vitality Blast fixtures which will improve our Members and supporters matchday experience enormously.”
Adam Robinson, Operations Director at T Bello Group said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Essex Cricket over the next two years and getting involved with their exciting Vitality Blast matchdays. We’re increasing our brand presence within the UK and have a store just minutes away from The Cloudfm County Ground and we’re looking forward to welcoming fans and supporters to our restaurant.”
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