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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.

What a Win: The eagles win by 53 runs. Delport the star in an excellent team performance.

6 balls remain: 63 needed. Looks like it’ll be a great victory for the Eagles.

2 overs remain: Surrey need 75. Matt Quinn back on to bowl.

50 partnership: Clark and Burns bring up their 50 partnership.

4 overs remain: Zampa bowls a tight set leaving Surrey sitting on 133-6 after 11 overs.

STAT: Today’s century was Delport’s 5th T20 hundred and his fastest to date.

6 overs remain: and Surrey need 112 to win. Harmer and Ravi bowling nicely in tandem.

Halfway stage: After 7.3 overs Surrey sit on 90-5. Ravi clean bowling the ever-dangerous Aaron Finch. 137 needed off of the last 45 balls for Surrey.

Wicket: Make that 32-4, Zampa getting the second wicket of his campaign.

What A Start: Surrey are sitting on 32-3 after 2.3 overs. Will Jacks made quick runs before 3 wickets in a Quinn startled Surrey.

Innings: Essex finish on a huge 226-4. Delport finishing on 129 with 7 4’s and 14 6’s.

6 balls left: The eagles have already amassed a brilliant 215 runs. The Chelmsford crowd are elated!

200 up: The milestones keep coming. The eagles reaching 200 from just 13.2 overs.

50: Dan Lawrence has joined Delport to the party bringing his 50 up from 17 balls. The score sits at 192-3 from 13 overs.

100 partnership: Dan Lawrence and Cameron Delport are helping the boys motor to a formidable target.

100: Delport reaches his hundred from just 37 balls. Scary ball-striking from the eagle.

Over 9: Essex look set to post a strong total as they stand on 109-3.

100 up: Delport 72(28) and Lawrence 1 (1) receive warm applause from the Chelmsford faithful.

Wicket: Tendo departs, Dan Lawrence joins the main man Delport at the crease.

Over 6: The score sits at 71-2. Rikki Clarke is coming on to bowl.

Wicket: Westley is caught by Finch off the bowling of Gareth Batty for 9.

50: Delport reaches his 50 from 19 balls. A gargantuan knock.

Over 5: Delport is showing the crowd just why his career T20 strike rate sits at 137. The South African is on 48 off of just 18 balls. The Eagles sit at 65-1.

Over 4: Delport begins to click into his next gear hitting 3 consecutive boundaries off of Sam Curran. Tom Curran is replacing Jade Dernbach at the over end as Essex sits on 38-1.

Over 3: The crowd is in typically good spirits as Westley and Delport occupy the crease. The score sits at 23-1.

Over 2: The score sits at 16-1, Westley and Delport at the crease

Wicket: Chopra had played some nice shots to Sam Curran, but the Surrey man gets the wicket with Varun caught at Short Third Man. Essex 12-1

OVER 1: Dernbach opens for Surrey, Delport, and Chopra look assured as they take 3 from the over.

NEWS: The game is scheduled now to be 15 overs for each side.

NEWS: The covers are off and we are planning to start at 8:15

How Things Stand: Play can only begin once the rain has ceased here in Chelmsford with the latest start time set as 9:29. The game can be reduced all the way down to a 5 over match if the weather dictates so.

RAIN DELAY: The covers are on before a ball has been bowled. A toss has occurred however in one of the brief shower-less periods with Surrey winning it and choosing to field. Updates will be on here as and when they occur.

1 hour before the first ball: The gates are open with fans starting to enter the ground. The players from both sides have warmed up and are now readying their match plans. Surrey have brought a squad to the fortress featuring both Curran brothers and Aussie World Cup captain Aaron Finch, whilst the Eagles keep the same squad from yesterday’s game at Lords.

Welcome to The Cloudfm County Ground, where Essex Eagles take on Surrey in their second Vitality Blast match of the 2019 campaign, with Simon Harmer’s side looking to secure their first win of the competition.

Essex Eagles entertain Surrey at The Cloudfm County Ground this evening and are looking to get straight back to winning ways.

The Eagles suffered defeat to Middlesex at Lord’s yesterday by 7 wickets in the opening match of their Vitality Blast campaign, after AB de Villiers blasted an unbeaten 88 from just 43 balls.

It was not the start that newly appointed Eagles captain Simon Harmer would have scripted but he remained positive.

Harmer said: “Yes, it was disappointing not to get off to a win and there is definitely room for improvement, but it was the first game of the tournament and there is plenty of stuff to work on.

“The majority of our bowlers bowled really well and I thought our score of 164 was a good score because I thought around 150 was par, so with our score, I thought we really were in with a shout.

“But when AB comes off, I don’t think even 250 would have been enough, he is one of the greatest T20 batsmen and he outfoxed us on this occasion.

“We can’t afford to dwell on the defeat for too long because we’ve got another match tonight and we have to pick ourselves up. We really want to get a win under our belt in front of our own crowd and hopefully we can put in a good performance for them.

The match with Surrey offers Eagles fans their first opportunity to see new signing Cameron Delport in action at The Cloudfm County Ground and the blast away batsman is relishing the opportunity to play at the compact venue. 

Delport said: “I remember playing here a few years ago when I was a kid and I think I hit a few over the boundary then.”

The 30-year-old all-rounder is a renowned performer in T20 cricket around the globe and he is delighted to be experiencing another taste of the quickfire action in this country having previously represented Leicestershire Foxes.

Born in South Africa, Delport blasted a 49-ball ton for Islamabad United against Lahore Qalandars back in March to set new figures for the fastest century scored in Pakistan Super League history.

Now he is eyeing the short distance from the crease to the boundary at Chelmsford and he admits that he cannot wait to make his acquaintance with the home faithful.

“The club has such an amazing history and tradition so I’m proud to be given the opportunity to get involved. Hopefully I can play my part and get the Eagles through to Finals Day.”

Essex Eagles squad to face Surrey:

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)

After red-ball heroics over the past couple of months, Simon Harmer can turn his attention to the Vitality Blast and his first shot at short-form captaincy.

His mission statement is simple and unequivocal. “My goal is to take us to Finals Day,” says Ryan ten Doeschate’s successor. “I really don’t think that’s aiming for the moon. It’s very achievable and something I look forward to doing.”

“It’s not ideal that we’ve only got that one day to prepare for the first T20 game, but luckily we’ve got a few players who are not part of the four-day set-up who will be coming in for the T20. Our two overseas pros [Mohammad Amir and Adam Zampa] have been playing in the World Cup, so there will have been a lot of focus on white-ball cricket for them.

“We play two games back-to-back, then we’ve got six days until our next game, so we’ve identified that period to put in some real hard yards. I’m sure those first two games aren’t going to be polished performances, but it’s a 14-game competition and it’s about being consistent over the entire competition, not starting like a house on fire.”

Harmer has made 26 T20 appearances for Essex over his two previous seasons at the Club and will also be drawing on the experience of helping Jozi Stars to success in the inaugural Mzansi Super League back home during the winter.

“You’re always learning as a cricketer. There are a few things I picked up during that tournament I’d like to try that I think would work. I’m not the most seasoned campaigner when it comes to T20 cricket, but we’ve got an incredibly strong squad and lots of senior players around me.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a pied piper sort of thing where I’m going to get all the boys to follow me. It’s all about harnessing the potential we have and channeling it in the right direction.

“My whole thing is going to be geared around how we train: it’s taking care of the pennies, the small things, and the pounds will take care of themselves. If we are able to put things together in training, and pay attention to the small details, when it comes into a match the big things will take care of themselves.

“The chat we’ve had with the squad has been about training as smartly as we can, not necessarily as hard as we can. It is all talk now – it then needs to be put into play. It’s going to be challenging, but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Essex Eagles get the Vitality Blast campaign underway on Thursday with a trip to London where they face Middlesex in front of an anticipated 20,000 crowd.

New signings Adam Zampa and Cameron Delport will both be in line to appear at Lord’s, but Mohammad Amir will unfortunately now miss out on the trip, with the Home Office still yet to clear his UK sporting visa.

Zampa was a member of Australia’s World Cup squad and he led the Eagles bowling averages last year when he took 12 wickets in 10 matches at 20.75.

From Delport, fans can expect to see fireworks. The South African born left-hander is one of the stalwarts of T20 cricket around the world. He played for Leicestershire Foxes in 2017 and in addition to being a powerful hitter in the top-order, he is a useful medium-pace bowler and an excellent fielder.

Simon Harmer takes over the T20 captaincy this year from Ryan ten Doeschate and the South African is looking forward to the responsibility of improving the Eagles fortunes in the competition.

Harmer said: “The Club felt that they needed a change of direction and hopefully I can try to do my best to get us through and realise our focus which is to reach Finals Day.

“Over the last few years, I think that Tendo has been one of our best performing cricketers but there has been a lot of weight on his shoulders with the responsibility of captaincy. He is a terrific cricketer and now he has the opportunity to just concentrate on his own game.

“Taking on the captaincy is an exciting challenge for me, I think there’s going to be a lot of expectation as we haven’t performed to the levels we know we’re capable of, but it’s a challenge that I wanted.

“T20 is about being able to nail or execute the skills, slower balls and stuff like that and I’m really looking forward to leading the team in the right direction.”

Essex Eagles squad to face Middlesex:

Simon Harmer (11) (Captain)
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Varun Chopra (6)
Cameron Delport (89)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Matt Quinn (94)
Shane Snater (29)
Ryan ten Doeschate (27)
Paul Walter (22)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31) (Wicket-keeper)
Adam Zampa (88)

It is almost time to walk out at The Cloudfm County Ground again for the opening Vitality Blast match of the season on Friday night. Surrey are the visitors and make the short trip for their first game of the competition.

The two sides always produce excitement with Surrey coming out on top last season. Here’s the low-down on Friday’s opponents…

T20 Titles: 1 (2003)

Trips to Finals Days: 6

Coach: Michael Di Venuto – Has been quietly effective in charge at the Kia Oval since his arrival in 2016, with last year’s Specsavers County Championship title the biggest feather in his coaching cap to date.

Captain: Jade Dernbach – Has not played yet this season in any format due to his rehabilitation from a long-term calf injury but the 33-year-old pace bowler, with 58 England white-ball caps, impressed as Surrey’s short-form captain last year.

Overseas players: Aaron Finch (Australia), Imran Tahir (South Africa)

The Narrative: Since winning the inaugural Twenty20 Cup in 2003 the Brown Caps have been runners-up twice, in 2004 and 2013, and also made Finals Day appearances in 2005, 2006 and 2014. Since then they have suffered short-form frustration, including just missing out on a quarter-final place last season. But the winter signings of Liam Plunkett and Jordan Clark, and the arrival of leg spinner Imran Tahir as overseas player alongside Australian batsman Aaron Finch, who returns for a fourth successive season, boost an already highly-talented squad.

Key Man: Aaron Finch – The opener plundered 589 runs from only nine innings in last year’s South Group fixtures, five of them unbeaten, averaging a remarkable 147.25 and scoring two hundreds and three fifties.

Mr Consistency: Rikki Clarke – The all-rounder will be 38 in September but since his return to his native county towards the end of the 2017 season he has been a model of consistency and high standards with both bat and ball. In last year’s Vitality Blast he was an ever-present with 235 runs at an average of 47 and 16 wickets at 23.56 runs apiece. In 160 career T20 matches, Clarke has scored 2,245 runs and taken 112 wickets.

Under the radar: Will Jacks, still only 20, already has Championship and List A hundreds to his name and has the power and range of strokes to explode in T20 cricket too. A brilliant fielder, he also bowls useful off-spin.

Killer Stat: They say T20 is a young man’s game, which must make Surrey one of the big favourites for the Vitality Blast title this year. The super-talented youthful group of Tom Curran (24), Sam Curran (21), Ollie Pope (21), Conor McKerr (21), Ryan Patel (21), Will Jacks (20) and Jamie Smith (19) have already more than made their mark in Surrey’s first team across all formats – and in some cases with England too – and they will all provide energy and enthusiasm in and around the county’s short form squad.

Tickets for this match are sold out but still you can still catch the Eagles in action this season with 6 other games taking place at The Cloudfm County Ground!

 

The amazing summer of cricket is set to continue with just days to go until the Vitality Blast campaign lands at The Cloudfm County Ground!

The opener against Surrey on Friday 19 July is sold out BUT tickets for the other 6 remaining matches throughout July and August are still available but selling fast…

Friday 19 July, 7pm: Surrey – SOLD OUT!

Saturday 27 July, 7pm: Gloucestershire

Thursday 01 August, 7pm: Hampshire

Wednesday 07 August, 7pm: Somerset

Wednesday 14 August, 7pm: Middlesex

Friday 16 August, 7pm: Glamorgan

Friday 30 August, 6:30pm: Kent Spitfires

Tickets are also available in person at The Cloudfm County Ground (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) and by phone on 01245 254010 (Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm).

Have you tried Hospitality at The Cloudfm County Ground?

Enjoy the T20 matchday dining experience with hospitality packages selling fast across the Vitality Blast competition in 2019!

The popular unlimited drink options return this year for both limited over competitions, plus the chance to enjoy our Bottomless Bubbles Prosecco packages at this year’s two international fixtures!

Packages for the Blast matches during July and August are still available, including a further two Friday night clashes at The Cloudfm County Ground against Glamorgan and Kent Spitfires.

For further information on the options available and to book your places, including for our Unlimited Drinks packages, contact the Commercial Department by phone 01245 254120 or [email protected].