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Essex’s third season back in Division One starts with a match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Friday (11am) and Head Coach Anthony McGrath admits that he and his squad can’t wait to get things underway.

McGrath said: “There is good competition for places which is great, and we’ve had a really good pre-season in Abu Dhabi.

“We also enjoyed what was a good work out against Cambridge MCCU last week and have worked really hard in the nets this week and now everything focuses on the Championship.”

The Yorkshireman led the Club to a respectable third place in the Specsavers County Championship last season, in his first full year in charge, and believes that his squad will be challenging for honours again this season.

“Having Alastair Cook available for a full season is a massive bonus,” he enthused. “Last year, we lacked runs some of the time, particularly in the first innings, but we have some talented batsmen and we just need to bat better as a unit at times.

“We know over the past few seasons that when we’ve got runs on the board, we fancy our attack to take 20 wickets on most surfaces.

“If you look at the teams in Division One, it’s a really strong division, every team have their strengths and weaknesses but in my opinion, we’ve got a really good balanced squad that can prove to be a very competitive outfit.

“I’m looking for us to start the season well and get that early confidence with bat and ball.”

Essex will select from a squad of 14 players but will be without Overseas signing Peter Siddle. The Australian, who has just assisted Victoria to their fourth Sheffield Shield title in 5 seasons, is due to fly into the UK on Friday morning.

All-rounder Matt Coles is also ruled out with a groin strain that is expected to keep him sidelined for the first two Championship matches.

The two counties have met at the Ageas Bowl on 7 occasions in the County Championship, with Essex just shading the honours with three wins and two defeats.

Hampshire have undergone a number of personnel changes to their First Team squad during the winter. Trusty long-time servants Jimmy Adams and Sean Ervine retired at the conclusion of the 2018 season, whilst Head Coach Craig White was replaced by South African Adrian Birrell in December.

The playing squad has been bolstered by the signing of South Africa batsman, Aiden Markram, for at least the first month of the season with his further availability dependent on his involvement in South Africa’s World Cup campaign.

Other winter recruits for Hampshire include Keith Barker from Warwickshire and James Fuller from Middlesex, whilst Aneurin Donald, who joined the County on loan towards the end of last season from Glamorgan, has now signed a permanent deal.

Essex squad to face Hampshire:

Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (Captain)
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Nick Browne (10)
Alastair Cook (26)
Sam Cook (16)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Aron Nijjar (24)
Rishi Patel (12)
Jamie Porter (44)
Matt Quinn (94)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31) (Wicket-keeper)

Essex Cricket are pleased to announce that Rickard Luckin have joined the Club as our Official Team & Squad Announcement Sponsor.

Greg Larkin, Essex Cricket Commercial Sales Executive is thrilled to have Rickard Luckin on board for the 2019 season and said: “This is an excellent partnership for both the Club and Rickard Luckin. They’ve shown great enthusiasm to get involved and we’re happy to be working with them this season.”

“We’ve seen huge advancements in both social media and digital sponsorships within sport over the last few years, so as a business it’s important that we tap into these potential revenue streams to boost other areas of the Club.”

Michael Breame, Director at Rickard Luckin said: “We’re really excited about this partnership with Essex Cricket. We’re proud to be able to work with and support a club that is such an important and far reaching part of this county and we’re very much looking forward to the season ahead.”

Photo(Left-to-right): Adam Wheater, Varun Chopra, Aaron Beard, James Boustead (Associate) Michael Breame (Director) Ian Marrow (VAT Director), Paul Forster (Director), Feroze Khushi, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater.

About Rickard Luckin

Rickard Luckin are Essex based Chartered Accounts and Tax Advisers, who provide their clients with a range of services, including anything from offering advice about business growth and optimising personal finances to routine bookkeeping, accounting and auditing. More information can be found on www.rickardluckin.co.uk

The second episode of the ‘Club to County’ series is now available to watch as we look back on the rise of Jamie Porter from a young bowler at Chingford Cricket Club, through to becoming a major part of Essex’s Championship success in 2017.

Join Jamie on his journey back to visit the Club in East London and catch up with some familiar faces including Dan Lawrence’s Dad, Mark, who is the Club’s Groundsman. Hear how Jamie almost gave up the sport before taking his chance in 2014 after impressing Head Coach, Paul Grayson and Bowling Coach at the time, Chris Silverwood.

Our ‘Club to County’ series follows members of the current Essex squad back to their roots to showcase how they got into cricket and developed their careers into the professional game. As a Club, we pride ourselves on the ‘Essex Way’ ethos, which is aimed at helping the progression of talented individuals across the region through the Essex Cricket Academy, lead by former Essex player Barry Hyam, plus our grassroots Player Pathway structure.

This has seen high profile players like Alastair Cook become top of the cricketing pyramid, as well as the likes of Sam Cook, Dan Lawrence and Aaron Beard who have devleoped into becoming important members of the First Team squad.

We would like to thank Chingford Cricket Club for their support in making this film.

Miss Varun Chopra’s trip back to Ilford Cricket Club in the first episode of ‘Club to County’? This is available to watch now – HERE.

The first Members’ Forum of the year is taking place this week on Tuesday 2 April in the Doug Insole Pavilion. The evening begins at 6:30pm with the bar open for attendees from 6pm.

In attendance on the night will be Chairman John Faragher, Chief Executive Derek Bowden and members of the Committee.

Parking for the event is complimentary and the pay & display system will not be in operation.

We look forward to welcoming you back to The Cloudfm County Ground this week.

Essex Cricket are pleased to announce that Beresfords have signed a three-year partnership with the Club, and will sponsor a stand at The Cloudfm County Ground until at least the end of the 2021 season.

Darrell Fox, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, is delighted that Beresfords have come on board and said: “Beresfords are a local company and a market leader in their industry, making them the perfect partner for Essex Cricket. We’re looking to achieve big things both on and off the pitch over the next few years, and we’re thrilled that Beresfords are going to be part of that journey.”

Callum Sutherland, Commercial Sales Executive at Essex Cricket, said: “Beresfords showed a real passion for the Club from the off and are the sort of partner every sporting entity wants. We’ve already developed a good relationship and we’re looking forward to that growing stronger and working together over the next few years.”

Paul Beresford, CEO at Beresfords, said: “I am delighted to announce the new partnership with Essex Cricket. We have been involved with the Club for a number of years, however this year we have decided to take it a step further and develop the partnership by sponsoring a stand. We look forward to working with the Club over the course of the season and admire the team’s success on the pitch and their desire to work with us off of it”.

About Beresfords:

Beresfords are Essex’s largest family-owned independent estate agency and have been successfully operating for 50 years.

Essex opened the domestic first-class season with a victory by 286 runs in the three-day friendly match with Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s.

In a dominant performance with both bat and ball over three days at Fenner’s, the home side were set a daunting target of 444 runs on Day Three. Chasing the tough total,Cambridge MCCU were bowled out for 157 in 52.4 overs with Simon Harmer returning 3 for 28, whilst there were a brace of wickets each for Aron Nijjar (2 for 28) and Ravi Bopara (2 for 35).

Following three figure innings from Alastair Cook and Adam Wheater on Day One, Nick Browne was denied a century of his own by just two runs when he edged into the gloves of the wicket-keeper when attempting to find the 15th boundary of his innings.

The match provided valuable time in the middle with Ravi Bopara (55) hitting a half century. Wickets were shared in the match as the bowling attack got overs under their belts.

The team now turn their attention to the first Specsavers County Championship match of the season when they visit the Ageas Bowl next Friday (5 April) to face Hampshire. After the match, Head Coach Anthony McGrath admits that he and captain Ryan ten Doeschate have a headache over team selection ahead of the game.

Hear from McGrath who spoke to Essex Cricket TV on Thursday:

With standard Adult Membership available from £188, including a wide range of benefits, why not purchase yours now and look forward to an action-packed summer of cricket?!

For more details including the different types of Membership packages available, please click here.

Welcome to the first episode of the ‘Club to County’ series which is aimed at giving supporters an insight into the careers of the Eagles squad. We are joined by Varun Chopra in the opening episode who’s career has seen him learn his trade in Ilford; an Essex hotbed of talent and former home for the Club.

Varun’s professional career saw him progress into the Essex First Team through the Club’s Academy setup but then leave for Warwickshire where he captained their side for the 2014 season. Rejoining his home county in 2016, Chopra was part of the County Championship winning side in 2017 and has become an insturmental limited-overs player for the Club.

Follow as he takes us back to the Ilford Cricket School which has also seen the likes of Ravi Bopara, Graham Gooch and Nasser Hussain pass through its doors…

Our ‘Club to County’ series follows members of the current Essex squad back to their roots to showcase how they got into cricket and developed their careers into the professional game. As a Club, we pride ourselves on the ‘Essex Way’ ethos, which is aimed at helping the progression of talented individuals across the region through the Essex Cricket Academy, lead by former Essex player Barry Hyam, plus our grassroots Player Pathway structure.

This has seen high profile players like Alastair Cook become top of the cricketing pyramid, as well as the likes of Sam Cook, Dan Lawrence and Aaron Beard who have devleoped into becoming important members of the First Team squad.

We would like to thank Ilford Cricket Club and the Ilford Indoor Cricket Centre for their support in making this film.

This video is part of our 2019 Kit Launch, with the new Vitality Blast and Specsavers County Championship shirts available to purchase now! The replica shirts are available to purchase from The Cricket Store at Essex Cricket, priced at £41.95 for Adults, £34.95 for Juniors and £30.00 for Infants.

You can also purchase shirts online by visiting; www.essexcricketshop.co.uk.

With the start of the season just days away, it will soon be time again to welcome Essex fans through the gates of the The Cloudfm County Ground when Essex Eagles host Middlesex on Friday 19 April.

This match marks the beginning of four home matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup for the Eagles; a campaign which will again be proudly supported by Woodland Group, one of the largest independent logistics companies with headquarters in Chelmsford, Essex.

Woodland Group are long-term partners of Essex Cricket and are proud to continue their sponsorship of the Essex Eagles’ Royal London One-Day Cup shirt.

Having reached the Play-Off stage of the competition in 2018, the Eagles are looking to reach a Lord’s final with 2017 One-Day Cup leading run-scorer, Sir Alastair Cook, as well overseas player, Peter Siddle, returning to the ranks.

Darrell Fox, Essex Cricket Commercial Manager, commented: “Woodland Group have been sponsors of Essex Cricket for over eight years; a period which has seen our partnership significantly grow year-on-year.

“We thank Woodland Group for their continued investment and this is another show of commitment from one of our long-term partners. We’re looking forward to developing this relationship further, starting with the 2019 season ahead.”

Kevin Stevens, Chairman and CEO of Woodland Group, added: “We have a very close, integrated partnership with Essex Cricket and are looking forward to continuing our support throughout 2019.

“Our shared values, spirit and passion are reflected not only in the support pitch-side but also the work behind the scenes by Woodlanders around the world and we all look forward to supporting the Club on its journey to success.”

The Essex Eagles’ Royal London One-Day Cup shirt is on sale now, along with the Specsavers County Championship and Vitality Blast replica shirts – available online at www.essexcricketshop.co.uk.

The first-class season gets underway when the team make the short trip to Fenner’s to engage the students of Cambridge MCCU in a three-day friendly, starting on Tuesday.
 
The Essex squad has recently returned from a pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi where they were able to enjoy some warm weather training as they prepare for the third season since returning to the top-flight of the Specsavers County Championship.
 
Head Coach Anthony McGrath was delighted with the time spent abroad acknowledging that all the members of the squad benefitted. “The idea of the tour was to get everyone ready for the long and gruelling season ahead and we got some really great work done over there,” he said.
 
“I was really happy with the work that the lads got in, not only in games but in practice. I have to say the facilities were really superb and so I’m happy with all our preparations. 
 
“Everyone is raring to go, we’ve got a strong squad and there is some really good competition for places.
 
“We’ve got the game with Cambridge MCCU which will offer us more match time ahead of the first Championship game of the season with Hampshire next week. The guys who are in the squad get the chance to put their name forward for the trip to the Ageas Bowl.
 
“Hopefully the weather will be kind to us at Fenner’s. It’s a ground we like going to and we often get some really good preparation there, so hopefully it will be a fruitful three days.
 
Tomorrow’s match will also offer newly appointed Assistant Coach and Bowling Coach, Andre Nel further opportunity to become acquainted with the players after joining up with the squad in the UAE.
 
Essex will select from a squad of 13 players but are without Sam Cook, Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley who are in Dubai where they are playing for the MCC against Surrey in the customary MCC v Champion County curtain-raiser to the season.
 
Essex squad to face Cambridge MCCU:
27. Ryan ten Doeschate (C)
14. Aaron Beard
25. Ravi Bopara
10. Nick Browne
6. Varun Chopra
1. Matt Coles
26. Alastair Cook
11. Simon Harmer
24. Aron Nijjar
19. Michael Pepper (WK)
44. Jamie Porter
94. Matt Quinn
31. Adam Wheater (WK)

Play is scheduled to begin at the earlier time of 10:30am on each day with match information available – here.

The annual University opener takes place this week with the squad travelling to Fenner’s in Cambridge to face Cambridge MCCU over three days.

The first-class match is a further opportunity for game time before a trip to the Ageas Bowl for the Specsavers County Championship clash against Hampshire on Friday 5 April.

Day One takes place on Tuesday (26 March) with play now starting at 10:30am on all three days. All match timings will be brought forward accordingly by 30 minutes.

Ticket Prices:

Adults: £5 including a scorecard
CUCC Members: Free

Tickets cannot be purchased in advanced and can be bought on the gate each day.

Production of a valid CUCC Membership card is be required at the gate to qualify for Member admission.

Parking:

Fenner’s Cricket Ground, 2 Mortimer Rd, Cambridge CB1 2EL

Parking at Fenner’s is £5 for non-CUCC Members and free of charge for CUCC Members.

The car park entrance is via Mortimer Road. Parking is limited and strictly on a first come, first served basis.

Alternative parking is available at the Queen Anne Terrace multi-storey car park located next to Fenner’s and the entrance is via Gonville Place.

Other Information:

Non-CUCC Members can use the Pavilion which has a bar and range of refreshments including tea, coffee and sandwiches to order. Pavilion access may be restricted at certain times such as breaks in play.

Children should only enter the Pavilion when accompanied by an adult.

Squad news will be released on Monday with match updates available via essexcricket.org.uk and the Club’s social media channels on Twitter and Facebook.

Last Time We Met…

Play was brought to a swift end in 2018 at Fenner’s after the rain forced the match to be abandoned with just 66.3 overs possible.

This was after Adam Wheater reached his half century and Nick Browne struck Essex’s first ton of the year before retiring out.