Tom Westley spoke after his fine innings in the opening Royal London One-Day Cup match against Middlesex at Radlett, which saw the England man smash a century off 94 balls.
Westley has found runs hard to come by in the County Championship so far this season but made a huge statement on Thursday by reaching three figures and surpassing his previous List A highest score.
The team now head on the road again this Sunday when they come up against Gloucestershire in Bristol.
Watch the Eagles in action…
You can watch Essex Eagles in the Royal London One-Day Cup this season over four matches at Chelmsford, starting with the visit of Somerset on Friday 25 May (2pm start). Tickets are on sale now with a discount available in advance, priced £15 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adults and £5 Juniors (upgrade to an Eagles Club Membership for just an additional £15 and get entry to all 4 games!).
Essex County Cricket Club is pleased to announce that Chelmsford based business, D&B Scaffolding, have extended their partnership with the County Champions by a further three years.
The firm have partnered with Essex since 2016 and will continue to feature on the front of the County Championship shirt.
In the two years of the partnership so far, Essex have clinched two titles in County Championship cricket having won Division Two in 2016 and Division One in 2017.
Essex CCC Commercial Manager, Darrell Fox, said: “We are delighted that D&B have extended their partnership with the Club. Gerry and his team have shown a huge commitment to the Club so far in their two years and they are passionate about continuing to move the Club forward.
“D & B are extremely active in the local community and throughout Essex which has always been a huge attraction. Hopefully we can continue on the good work so far and achieve more success together.”
Neil Wagner will resume his Essex career on Thursday, as he takes the field for the first time this summer when the Eagles begin their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.
Anthony McGrath has named a 13-man squad for the opening match against Middlesex at Radlett, with the New Zealand opening bowler due to lead the attack.
The left-armer is chomping at the bit to get going, having arrived back in the UK a couple of weeks ago to prepare for his upcoming stint.
“It’s great to be back and see so many familiar faces in the dressing room and around the Club,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to spending time with the guys and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and trying to contribute in whichever way possible to help continue the success we enjoyed last year.”
Wagner has taken over from Australian Peter Siddle, who helped Essex win two of the five County Championship matches during his brief tenure. He will be with the Club until the end of July and will be available for all three formats starting with the upcoming 50 over campaign.
Wagner took 14 wickets in seven matches last year in the Royal London Cup including two four-wicket hauls against Hampshire and Glamorgan.
“I think we played some exceptional cricket in the 50 over format last year and thoroughly deserved to win our place in the semi-final, but then we got on the wrong end of what was a really special game,” he reflected.
“Hopefully we can go one step further this time around.”
The Eagles stormed through the Group stages winning seven of their eight matches and only lost their 100 per cent record when Glamorgan won a nail-biter by just one run. That storming run of success earned the Eagles a home tie with Notts Outlaws in the semi-final but the Eagles were eventually beaten by five wickets.
Ryan ten Doeschate believes the time has come for the Eagles to reach a Cup final at Lord’s once again.
“We showed that we are a good one-day side last year when we had an exceptional run through the group stage and were just one more win away from a finals appearance,” the Essex captain reflected. “It was back in 2008 when we last won the 50 over competition and so it’s about time we experienced a Lord’s final once again.”
The Eagles again play their eight group matches in succession as they put their claims to retain their County Championship title on temporary hold and ten Doeschate admits that the switch to white ball cricket could be a blessing.
“We scored plenty of runs in this format last year and our batters haven’t scored as many as they would have liked so far this season in the Championship so the 50-over competition could give them the opportunity to find their form,” he explained.
“It gives us a good opportunity to focus on a different competition and put the Championship behind us for a while, although it was great to sign off from that tranche of matches with a win agonist Worcestershire.
“We are going into the one-day matches with a lot of confidence, particularly after that win over Worcestershire, but we know that the matches in this format are going to be tough. There are a lot of good sides in our group starting with Middlesex on Thursday and we will have to be right at the top of our game if we are to start the competition with a victory.”
Essex Eagles squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) Captain
James Foster (7) Wicket-keeper
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Varun Chopra (6)
Sam Cook (16)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Jamie Porter (44)
Neil Wagner (13)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31)
Ashar Zaidi (99)
Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce Official Trainingwear Sponsor, Seetec Skills, have signed a three-year contract extension to their partnership.
Seetec are one of the main sponsors of the Club, and have shown a commitment to the County Champions until 2021.
The relationships between the two organisations sees Seetec recruiting and supporting groups of young people to take their first career steps in hospitality as they undertake 150-hour work placements at the Club. Alongside that, Seetec see their branding across all trainingwear and training facilities around the ground.
Darrell Fox, Essex Cricket Commercial Manager, said: “This is another important partnership secured for the Club moving forward.
“Seetec have really bought into what we are trying to achieve here, and they are an integral part of our ongoing success. We are delighted they have agreed to continue as our Official Trainingwear Sponsor, and hope the partnership can continue to flourish over the next four years.
“We thank Seetec for their continued support, and look forward to welcoming them back to Chelmsford over the course of the 2018 season.”
Captain, Ryan ten Doeschate was full of praise for his bowling unit after 5-wicket hauls from Peter Siddle and Simon Harmer helped Essex to 32 run victory against Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road.
After an instrumental knock of 71 from Dan Lawrence earlier in the day, the hosts required 215 runs for the win but it was Siddle, playing his final game for the Club, who got to work early on removing D’Oliveira, Fell and Clarke. Both he and Harmer worked in tandem throughout the day turning the screw on Worcestershire’s batsmen, who were falling at regular intervals to give Essex hope.
With Day Three drawing to a close, the pair broke up the dangerous 63-run partnership of Travis Head and Ed Barnard, with the latter out for 29 to Harmer. With Head sticking around, the bowlers got to work on the tail and it was Harmer who sent the team into raptures as the Australian, Head, was caught by ten Doeschate and the points were on their back to Chelmsford.
Essex now head back on the road for the beginning of the Royal London One-Day Cup competition. The team will be returning to Chelmsford on Friday 25 May in the first of 4 home matches, against Somerset. Tickets are on sale with discounts available in advance for just £15 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adults and £5 Juniors. >> Buy Tickets
Worcestershire v Essex Blackfinch New Road Friday 11 – Monday 14 April 2018
Worcestershire | Daryl Mitchell* (27), Brett D’Oliveira (15), Tom Fell (29), Joe Clarke (33), Travis Head (62), Ben Cox + (10), Ed Barnard (30), Ben Twohig (42), Joe Leach (23), Josh Tongue (24), Steve Magoffin (64).
Essex | Alastair Cook (26), Varun Chopra (6), Tom Westley (21), Dan Lawrence (28), Ravi Bopara (25), Ryan ten Doeschate* (27), James Foster + (7), Simon Harmer (11), Peter Siddle (64), Jamie Porter (44), Sam Cook (16).
Umpires | Nick Cook & Neil Mallender
Toss | Essex won the toss and chose to bat
Day Three Reaction | Simon Harmer
Day Three Match Highlights
Day Three | Close of Play Report
Peter Siddle and Simon Harmer bowled Essex to a 32 runs success over Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road to give the Champions the second win of the 2018 season.
Australian quickie Siddle took 5 for 37 whilst Harmer took 5 for 43 as bottom of the table Worcestershire were bowled out for 182.
It was a memorable way for Siddle to sign off from his five-match stint with the County as he earned match figures of 7 for 93 to enjoy the fruits of his labours after taking 8 wickets in the defeat by Yorkshire last week.
The home side had been set 215 runs for victory but they lost their last five wickets for just 22 runs in 14 overs as Siddle and Harmer bowled masterfully with guile and nous to take their side to victory and 19 points.
At 160 for 5, the home side must have fancied their chances of recording a first win since being promoted at the end of last year but they had no answer to the Essex duo.
It was Harmer that ended an imposing 63 runs stand for the sixth wicket when bowled Ed Barnard around his legs for 29 as the batsman attempted to sweep and six runs later, the South African followed up with the wicket of Ben Twohig who picked out Jamie Porter on the deep mid-wicket boundary.
Travis Head proved the top-scorer for the hosts reaching a half-century from 92 balls with three boundaries but the experienced Australian batsman failed to take the initiative and protect the lower order.
Joe Leach was caught at bat/pad by Ryan ten Doeschate when facing Harmer with the score now 173 for 8 before Siddle and Harmer continued their double act when Siddle captured his fifth wicket when Josh Tongue was caught by Harmer at second slip to leave Worcestershire 180 for 9.
Head now on 62, went for broke but only succeeded in driving Harmer into the hands of ten Doeschate at deep cover to send the Essex players into a huddle of great celebration.
The visitors had been dismissed for 275 in their second innings having resumed on 143 for 4 and it was thanks to a mature innings by Dan Lawrence of 71 that gave them their fighting- and ultimately successful – chance.
The 20 year-old batted fr three hours to hold things together assisted chiefly by 24 from James Foster with whom he added 63 for the seventh wicket and then 23 from Harmer as 27 important runs were accrued for the eighth wicket.
Essex now take a break from red ball cricket with the start of the Royal London One day Cup 50 overs competition on Thursday with a trip to Radlett where they face Middlesex.
Day Two Match Highlights
Day Two | Close of Play Report
Essex reached the close of day two on 143 for 4 representing an overall lead of 82 runs over Worcestershire at New Road.
They bowled the home side out for 238 but a typical gutsy innings by Alastair Cook of 65 helped wipe out the first innings deficit of 61 on a pitch that is offering encouragement to the bowlers with the ball nipping around off the seam whilst occasionally also keeping low.
Joe Clarke held the home side together hitting his second century in as many matches before he became one of three wicket s for Ravi Bopara exploiting the helpful pitch top maximum effect.
His century arrived from 161 balls and included 14 boundaries and he was finally undone when he pushed forward ad was leg before.
Daryl Mitchell struck 41 and fellow opener Brett D’Oliveira 37 to support Clarke but elsewhere there was little contribution as seven batsmen failed to reach double figures as the Essex attack maintained an excellent line and length.
The loss of five wickets for 46 either side of lunch brought the visitors back into a match after their opponents had reached 142 for 2 thanks to an 82 runs stand between Mitchell and Clarke.
Bopara returned 3 for 30, Simon Harmer 2 for 29, Peter Siddle 2 for 70, Jamie Porter 2 for 70 and Sam Cook 1 for 46.
Varun Chopra and Cook all but wiped off the deficit with an opening stand of 58 but Essex were to lose three wickets in disappointing fashion.
Chopra, having contributed 21, offered no shot and was bowled by Josh Tongue, Tom Westley reached 26 before he withdrew the bat and was bowled by Joe Leach to a ball that seamed back and knocked back off stump.
Then Cook, having arrived at his half-century from 82 balls arriving at the milestone with the ninth boundary of his innings, was also surprised by a ball that nipped back in and kept low and was bowled by Steve Magoffin for 66.
With the light fading, Bopara (13), edged to wicket-keeper Ben Cox to leave Essex 142 for 4 but nightwatchman Jamie Porter (1 not out) joined Dan Lawrence (9 not out) to see Essex through to the close.
Day One Match Highlights
Day One Reaction | Anthony McGrath
Day One | Close of Play Report
A disappointing afternoon session led to a rapid decline in the team’s fortunes after being bowled out for 177. This was before Worcestershire reached 47 without loss at Blackfinch New Road when bad light brought play to a close with 13 overs still remaining.
The visitors lost 8 wickets in the session after lunch with Josh Tongue producing a superb spell of 3 wickets for 7 runs in 15 deliveries on his way to final figures of 4 for 45.
There had been little sign of the problems ahead when Essex reached lunch on 64 for 2 with Alastair Cook on 34 not out but that was to prove virtually the last of the resistance.
Cook added only three more runs before he was caught at first slip when on the drive against Joe Leach.
The total had advanced to 88 when Tongue took an incisive hand in matters removing Dan Lawrence for 20, Ryan ten Doeschate for 1 and Ravi Bopara for 7 as the visitors slumped to 101 for 6. It was the sixth leg before dismissal for the Essex skipper in as many innings.
Simon Harmer and James Foster put on 24 before both departed in three overs to Ed Barnard; Foster adjudged leg before for 16 and Harmer caught at second slip for 22.
Tongue returned to remove Jamie Porter for 6 but Peter Siddle played aggressively to notch 29. The overseas player, playing his final match for the county before he returns to Australia to be replaced by Neil Wagner, struck 3 boundaries from the 27 balls he faced hitting the ball cleanly until he went back to cut a ball from Leach and was bowled.
Essex were forced to make a change to the side that lost to Yorkshire when Nick Browne sustained a broken finger during net practice yesterday. He was replaced by Varun Chopra who opened with Cook but was the first victim of the day when caught at gully for 10
Tom Westley was the other wicket to fall before lunch, a victim of a fine delivery by Barnard that breached his defences when he had scored 15.
The home side, who started the match propping up the Division One table, made a solid start through openers Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira. They grew in confidence after a difficult start against Sam Cook, Porter and Siddle. There was a hold-up for bad light, then play resumed for 14 balls before the light deteriorated once more and play was called off for the day.
Ryan ten Doeschate believes Essex can use their shock defeat by Yorkshire to kick-start their defence of the Specsavers County Championship title, starting today at Worcester.
Essex suffered their first red-ball loss in 20 months over the Bank Holiday week, and that after bowling Yorkshire out for 50 inside the first session of the game.
The Essex captain said: “Mags [head coach Anthony McGrath] made the point to the guys that teams are allowed to be better than us. We’re not always going to be on top of our game and you do lose and you do make mistakes. That’s the best way we can look at that game – just reiterate how good we have been in the last few years. But sometimes cricket is tough and you come out on the wrong side of it.
“I think we were pretty good in dealing with the fall-out from the game. We were very honest about where we weren’t very good. We probably weren’t good enough for one session and that cost us. That’s the way it goes in this division.
“If you think how often we were ‘on’ last year, and I think to win championships you can only afford to be ‘off’ a few times. To be ‘off’ for that evening session on the first day probably cost us the game.”
Ten Doeschate suffered only his fourth Championship defeat in 34 at the helm. He said: “The Yorkshire game was particularly disappointing because I felt we had a lot of opportunities to really nail the game. But I’ve got no issues if someone outplays us, as Yorkshire did, or if we’re not quite ‘on’ it, but we’re trying our best to make the game in our favour. I can handle losing and bad performances.”
The mood in the camp remains upbeat. “Even after the game we sat down and had a good chat, and a few beers in the changing room. Mags is big on keeping a team spirit high and certainly we won’t be derailed by one defeat or from what we want to do. Absolutely not. There has been no change in our psyche. We look forward to another challenge against Worcestershire.”
Essex sit sixth in the table, 30 points off leaders Nottinghamshire. But ten Doeschate said: “There’s still more than two-thirds of the season left where we can pick up points. So we need to be even better than we’ve been in the past, but everything is still possible at the moment.
“Look, if we get a win this week then it’s been a pretty good start. Two wins, two draws and a loss would be a pretty good start out of five. But also if I cast my mind back to last year, we started slowly and the one-day cup came at a good time and allowed guys to settle in and freed the batters up.
“We were certainly better after June last year. You can make whatever you want out of it, but in this particular case there has been a lack of cricket this season and maybe that’s about to change now. This is a big game for us. The wicket looks pretty good and we’re going to have to work hard for anything. But the boys are desperate to put things right.”
Essex prospect Feroze Khushi believes the ECB’s new South Asian Action Plan will help propel plenty more British Asian youngsters into professional cricket.
The 19-year-old batsman, who was born in east London to parents of Pakistani origin, lists world stars such as Virat Kohli and Shahid Afridi as his cricketing idols while growing up.
But one of the key aims of the ECB initiative, focusing on South Asian communities in the UK, is for Khushi and other homegrown players to themselves become the visible role models for aspiring youngsters.
Khushi, who earned his first professional contract with Essex last year, was in attendance at Thursday’s launch event for the project – a girls’ cricket session at Leyton County Ground, close to his home.
The session brought girls from five nearby primary schools – and one from west London – together for a skills and match programme which was run by coaches from the Capital Kids Cricket charity.
He said: “It’s definitely a work in progress and I’m confident that, in the near future, there will be a lot more Asian players and coaches coming through.
“I used to love watching people like Kohli and Afridi – guys from an Asian background with great technique and I learned a lot from watching them.
“One day I hope I can help inspire young Asian players from different areas in England to come and play cricket. To see so many Asian kids here today is fantastic.
“I’m so happy to see that and I think that the strategies being put in place will get more Asian players making it at professional and maybe even international level, which would be great.”
Khushi’s father Mohammed, who played club cricket in Essex for around 25 years, is also an ECB qualified level three coach – and one of the key recommendations of the action plan is to increase BAME coaching representation.
Other key points include the development of Urban Cricket Centres, increasing cricket programmes in primary schools and an improved scouting system.
The plan is enthusiastically backed by former Essex player Arfan Akram – who now oversees cricket at the University of East London and, like Khushi, plays club cricket for Wanstead and Snaresbrook.
Akram said: “For me, the single most exciting part of this is that the British Asian community feel as though they’ve now got a voice in cricket.
“There are so many diverse faiths and cultures within the community. But there’s a platform now for people to listen and adapt.
“For example, we run a session for girls at Redbridge Sports Centre. It’s about finding a venue which is accessible and has the requirement of being enclosed with no windows so parents are happy that their girls are in a safe environment. That comes from understanding their culture and beliefs.
“The South Asian community are hugely driven when it comes to education, but sport can stop at a certain age because education – for all the right reasons – takes priority.
“Now we have a beautiful opportunity to showcase a real balance and say cricket complements your education – it can give you transferable skills when it comes to looking for a job, like teamwork.
“The core points fit into the wider ECB strategy – which is about growing the game and bringing talented athletes into the system.”
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison joined Khushi, Akram and the media in Leyton, with similar events being held at Bradford Park Avenue in Yorkshire, and at Sparkhill Park in Birmingham this evening.
This website uses cookies (including tracking technologies) to improve user experience and provide appropriate information. If you continue on this website you will be providing your consent to our use of these. You can see our cookies and learn how to manage them by clicking on the Privacy Preferences link on the right.
