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The 2024 season is now beginning to creep ever closer, with less than a week to go until the first balls are bowled up and down the country.

Essex’s match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge is only one of nine games set to take place on the opening weekend, which starts on Friday, 05 April.

Following the Eagles’ opener in the East Midlands, Anthony McGrath’s men return to Chelmsford for their first home fixture against rivals Kent.

Read on for the second half of a team-by-team preview of this year’s Division One candidates, and you can click here for part one.

Nottinghamshire

Captain: Haseeb Hameed
Overseas players: Dane Paterson (South Africa), Will Young (New Zealand)
2023 finish: 6th
2023 leading run-scorer: Joe Clarke (1,053)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton (62)
Championship titles: 6 (most recent in 2010)

 
The big question: After a season of consolidation in 2023, can Nottinghamshire kick on? Promoted in 2022, the Green and Golds were somewhat inconsistent in their first season back in Division One, and may have been sweating at one point after going on a run of just one win in eight. They did, though, ultimately secure a mid-table finish, and the challenge now will be to ensure a squad with some eye-catching recruits can improve upon that.

Key players: Seamer Brett Hutton was the leading wicket-taker in red-ball cricket in the country last summer, claiming 62 victims, while South African Dane Paterson picked up 50 scalps for the third season in a row. More players will have to step up with the bat to push Nottinghamshire on from sixth place, but the likes of new red-ball captain Haseeb Hameed and Joe Clarke, who struck 1,000 runs in a season for the first time in his career in 2023, certainly have the ability to do so.

Wildcard watch: All-rounder Tom Loten has yet to play a first-class match for the Green and Golds since moving from Yorkshire last winter, but he shone in the Second XI Championship, hitting 638 runs at an average of 42.53 to finish fifth in the overall rankings. Seamer James Hayes, who is still only 22, picked up 26 wickets at 28.30 in the same competition and is also one to watch out for.

Final thought: Given their winter signings of batter Jack Haynes and seamers Josh Tongue and Dillon Pennington, Nottinghamshire’s squad is extremely talented. A strong season would see them pushing for the top three, but on the flip side, a poor campaign could have them in relegation trouble. The key to being closer to the former will lie with being more consistent.

Somerset

Captain: Lewis Gregory
Overseas player: Matt Renshaw (Australia)
2023 finish: 7th
2023 leading run-scorer: James Rew (1,086)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Lewis Gregory (34)
Championship titles: 0

 
The big question: How will Somerset fare under the command of a new captain? Tom Abell, a man widely admired across the circuit for his leadership abilities, stepped down from the role over the winter to be replaced by T20 skipper Lewis Gregory. Having led the Taunton outfit to their second Vitality Blast title last season, the onus will now be on Gregory to improve on a disappointing seventh-place finish in the red-ball arena.

Key players: James Rew burst onto the scene last summer, hitting 1,086 runs at an average of 57.15, including five centuries. An extremely talented operator with both bat and wicketkeeping gloves, the 20-year-old left-hander is justifiably touted across the board as having a very bright future. Meanwhile, Craig Overton and new captain Gregory remain serious bowling threats, with the latter in particular having impressed in 2023, taking 34 wickets at a miserly 21.55 apiece.

Wildcard watch: In the absence of Rew, who can hardly be considered a wildcard any more given his breakout 2023 campaign that turned him into a lynchpin. However, another worth keeping an eye on is 23-year-old all-rounder Kasey Aldridge, who has both a five-wicket haul and an unbeaten century to his name. Last season, he struck 451 runs at 41.00, and was included in the England Lions squad to tour India this winter.

Final thought: The major aim for Somerset will be to start the season better than they managed in 2023, when it took until their sixth game to secure their first win. How quickly the new captain beds in could be crucial in determining if they will get that stronger start. In Gregory, though, they have selected a skipper with proven winning experience, and with Abell still in the side to impart wisdom if needed, the transition should be smooth, and hopes of a better season feel justified.

Surrey

Captain: Rory Burns
Overseas player(s): Kemar Roach (West Indies), Sean Abbott (Australia)
2023 finish: 1st
2023 leading run-scorer: Dom Sibley (746)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Jordan Clark & Daniel Worrall (48 each)
Championship titles: 22 (most recent in 2023)

 
The big question: Can Surrey become the first county in more than 50 years to win three back-to-back titles? Despite being pushed all the way by Essex, the all-conquering Brown Caps finished 20 points clear at the top of the tree to lift their second successive title. They head into 2024 as the favourites to be the first team to seal a hat-trick of titles since Yorkshire achieved the feat between 1966 and 1968.

Key players: Openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns represented England’s exact new-ball pair for 15 Test matches and combined for 1,377 runs last summer, with Ben Foakes adding 716 more. The bowling workload was similarly shared around evenly, and both Jordan Clark and Daniel Worrall, who claimed 48 wickets apiece to lead the way in those charts, will hope to break the 50-scalp barrier in 2024.

Wildcard watch: Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, who hit his 736 runs at an average of 40.88, is very much one for England’s future, but for now is a mainstay of the Surrey side. When it comes to a wildcard for the Brown Caps, though, it is another wicketkeeper who is worth watching, in Josh Blake. The 25-year-old led the way in the entire 2023 Second XI Championship run-scoring charts with 729, and numbers like that will do his efforts to finally make his first-class debut no harm whatsoever.

Final thought: What was instrumental to Surrey’s success last year was the fact that every player contributed in one form or another. Lower-order partnerships with the bat helped them pick up vital bonus points and extend innings to score crucial runs. That bodes exceptionally well heading into 2024, with no one player having to bear the mental weight of expectation with either bat or ball. It feels difficult to see past the Three Feathers making it three in a row.

Warwickshire

Captain: Alex Davies
Overseas player: Hasan Ali (Pakistan)
2023 finish: 4th
2023 leading run-scorer: Sam Hain (706)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Oliver Hannon-Dalby (54)
Championship titles: 8 (most recent in 2021)

 
The big question: Will new captain Alex Davies be able to steer Warwickshire into Division One’s top three? The Bears were ‘best of the rest’ in 2023 after finishing fourth, 13 and 17 points behind Surrey-chasers Hampshire and Essex, respectively. It was a huge improvement on the relegation battle of 2022 that saw them dramatically stay up on the last day, but a tendency to fall to too many heavy defeats derailed any possibility of establishing themselves amongst the title contenders.

Key players: Sam Hain displayed his consistent class again in 2023 by scoring over 700 runs at an average of 47.06. Solihull-born Rob Yates is another talented operator with the bat, and should improve upon his 2023 return of 583 at 34.29. With the ball, it is hard to look beyond veteran seamer Chris Rushworth, who moved to Edgbaston ahead of the 2023 campaign after 12 consecutive seasons with Durham, and marked his first summer in a Bears shirt by taking 53 wickets at 20.26.

Wildcard watch: Batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell was born in Barbados but first came to the attention of Warwickshire when he accepted a scholarship at Rugby School. He played four Championship games last summer to add to the five appearances he already had under his belt, and has a first-class top score of 61. Bethell is well thought of both domestically and at international level, having played a key role in England’s run to the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022.

Final thought: Two of Warwickshire’s losses in 2023 came by nine wickets, another by an innings and 97 runs, and the final one by eight wickets. That affliction of rolling over with the bat hit them once too often, and cost the Bears dearly when it came to chasing a place in the top three. Solving that issue will be high on the agenda for new captain Alex Davies, but with the talent in their squad, there is no reason to think the Edgbaston outfit cannot crack the top three if they do make progress in that area.

Worcestershire

Captain: Joe Leach
Overseas players: Nathan Smith (New Zealand)
2023 finish: 2nd in Division Two (promoted)
2023 leading run-scorer: Jake Libby (1,153)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Joe Leach (48)
Championship titles: 5 (most recent in 1989)

 
The big question: Can promoted Worcestershire defy the odds and stay in Division One? In beating Sussex and Leicestershire to the runners-up spot, the Pears made sure of a return to the top flight for the first time since 2018. It was driven by their bowling attack, as they still managed to secure promotion despite recording the lowest number of batting bonus points. The battle for the New Road side now will be to make sure they don’t make an immediate return to Division Two.

Key players: Jake Libby has been one of the circuit’s most consistent openers in recent years, and last season struck 1,153 runs at 57.65, marking the second time in the last three seasons he has hit four figures. The Pears were reliant on him, with no other batter averaging above 37, but Brett D’Oliveira at least enjoyed some success with a return of 661, including four half-centuries. Captain Joe Leach – who is also handy with the willow – leads the bowling attack, and claimed 48 wickets last summer.

Wildcard watch: Worcestershire’s pathway has often been widely praised for its consistent ability to produce talented players, and one of the brightest prospects at the moment is Rehaan Edavalath. The 20-year-old had a sterling season in the Second XI Championship last summer, hitting 544 runs in 15 innings, including a mammoth unbeaten 169* away to Somerset. He also made his first-class debut at home to Derbyshire, and should be in line for further recognition in 2024.

Final thought: Remaining in Division One is going to be tricky on paper for Worcestershire, but if there is one thing the Pears have demonstrated over recent seasons, it is that they love to upset the odds. Alan Richardson’s men were undefeated at New Road last summer, in fact losing just two of their last 14 games at home, and they will be relishing the opportunity to cause some surprises against the big beasts of the top flight.
 

It’s been 182 days since we last saw live County Championship cricket, but who’s counting?

Thankfully, the winter is coming to an end and the long six-month off-season is nearly over, with the 2024 season set to begin next Friday, 05 April.

For Essex, that means an opening trip to Trent Bridge to face Nottinghamshire, but that is only one of nine games set to take place across the country.

Read the first half of a team-by-team preview of this year’s Division One competitors, and part two is available to view here.

Durham

Captain: Scott Borthwick
Overseas players: David Bedingham (South Africa), Scott Boland (Australia)
2023 finish: 1st in Division Two (promoted)
2023 leading run-scorer: Alex Lees (1,347)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Ben Raine (60)
Championship titles: 3 (most recent in 2013)

 
The big question: Just how strong will Durham be in Division One after promotion? Their 2023 season saw them demolish Division Two, losing only once in 14 games on their way to amassing 233 points, which included an enormous 54 batting bonuses. The North-Eastern outfit are back in the top flight for the first time since 2016, and will be immediately aiming to shake up the division.

Key players: Talented opener Alex Lees will look to continue a fine 2023 that saw him hit the most runs of anyone across both Championship divisions with 1,347. However, it will be the seam battery, featuring Test-capped Matthew Potts and shrewd Australian import Scott Boland, who have really caught the eye on paper ahead of the season.

Wildcard watch: Batter Harry Crawshaw is yet to make his first-class debut, but hit 519 runs in last season’s 2nd XI Championship. That total included a top score of 129, made against Yorkshire in Scarborough, in a match that saw him also strike 83 in the first innings. He is a promising 20-year-old and, as a left-hander, possesses a handy X-factor that asks different questions of bowlers.

Final thought: This Durham squad looks strong enough to not only survive, but be competitive. They have turned Chester-le-Street into a fortress in recent times, losing just once in their past 16 games at home, a run that stretches back to May 2021. Now with the wind in their sails and a fearsome-looking seam bowling attack, Ryan Campbell’s side could well shake up Division One.

Essex

Captain: Tom Westley
Overseas player: Simon Harmer (South Africa)
2023 finish: 2nd
2023 leading run-scorer: Tom Westley (1,130)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Simon Harmer (61)
Championship titles: 8 (most recent in 2019)

 
The big question: Will Essex be the ones to dethrone double champions Surrey? Having pushed the consecutive title-winners all the way last season, including going on a run of six consecutive wins, the Eagles ultimately finished as runners-up in cruel fashion. There has been upheaval amongst the squad, with the retirement of the legendary Alastair Cook, but motivation will remain as high as ever.

Key players: The acquisition of resolute South African Dean Elgar to replace Cook has been widely hailed. However, it will more than likely be his compatriot Simon Harmer who will have the biggest impact on any title ambitions, with his off-spin having been instrumental in recent years, and it should be so again in 2024. Seam pair Jamie Porter and Sam Cook, who claimed 105 wickets between them last year, will also have major roles to play.

Wildcard watch: Might any of the young trio of Luc Benkenstein, Charlie Allison, or Noah Thain break into the first XI in 2024? All three were part of England’s squad in the recent Under-19 World Cup and are highly thought of around the club. Allison and Thain in particular enjoyed eye-catching breakout campaigns with the bat in last season’s One-Day Cup.

Final thought: After a strong showing last year, Essex will fancy their chances of being the ones to finally knock Surrey off the summit. Much will depend on how well new signings Elgar and Jordan Cox bed in, but if they do so smoothly, and the key performers in Porter, Harmer, and Westley all continue to display their class, the Eagles should expect to be challenging at the top again.

Hampshire

Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Kyle Abbott (South Africa), Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan)
2023 finish: 3rd
2023 leading run-scorer: James Vince (1,007)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Mohammad Abbas (53)
Championship titles: 2 (most recent in 1973)

 
The big question: Will a strong squad finally be able to get over the line? Hampshire’s last four Championship finishes read 3rd, 3rd, 4th, and 3rd, revealing the fact that on paper, they are easily good enough to lift the trophy, but have just stumbled once too often. However, expectations remain high heading into 2024, and this once again could finally be the year they break a now-51-year duck.

Key players: As ever, captain James Vince remains one of the classiest batters on the county circuit, and last year passed 1,000 runs in a Championship season for the third time in his career. He will be relied upon to lead from the front again. Meanwhile, the Utilita Bowl surface should remain as bowler-friendly as it has in recent years, aiding overseas seam duo Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas.

Wildcard watch: Hampshire had a very settled squad in 2023, making use of just 16 players across their entire 14-game campaign. However, there might be room for seamer John Turner to break through, especially after his exploits with a white ball last summer. He has played just two Championship matches, but took 21 wickets in the Vitality Blast, was included in England’s squad for the West Indies tour in December, and had his action compared to Glenn McGrath.

Final thought: Hampshire remain one of the strongest competitors in the division, and should consider success to be a title win. Many might raise an eyebrow at the length of their Championship drought, but if they can keep their heads and push away the painful memories of falling short, they too should be amongst the closest challengers to defending champions Surrey.

Kent

Captain: Daniel Bell-Drummond
Overseas players: Wes Agar, Xavier Bartlett (both Australia)
2023 finish: 8th
2023 leading run-scorer: Ben Compton (735)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Wes Agar & Matt Quinn (21 each)
Championship titles: 7 (most recent in 1978)

 
The big question: Can Kent avoid the drop with more comfort than they managed in 2023? Having stayed up on the final day last year only by virtue of Middlesex slipping to a narrow defeat against Nottinghamshire, the Canterbury outfit will be looking for a more secure finish this summer. Hopes will be high that a winter of much off-field movement can be the catalyst for a step forward in 2024.

Key players: New captain Daniel Bell-Drummond remains a class act but will hope to improve on his return of 579 runs from last season – even if that did include a magnificent triple century at Northamptonshire. Meanwhile, Kent’s bowlers’ woes have been well-documented in recent seasons, but the addition of leg-spinner Matt Parkinson should help.

Wildcard watch: With his uncle Joe already a key part of the Kent first XI, youngster Jaydn Denly is developing quite a name for himself, having made five appearances in the Metro Bank One Day Cup last summer. The 18-year-old was also included in England’s squad for the Under-19 World Cup, and could continue his flourishing progress with a first-class debut in 2024.

Final thought: Whether or not a Kent bowler can step up to lead the attack will be key. If someone produces a notable haul of wickets, they might well do far better than last season, but conversely, if they cannot improve on that bluntness with the ball that has plagued them recently, it could be another tough summer in Canterbury.

Lancashire

Captain: Keaton Jennings
Overseas players: Nathan Lyon (Australia), Tom Bruce (New Zealand)
2023 finish: 5th
2023 leading run-scorer: Josh Bohannon (1,257)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Tom Bailey (50)
Championship titles: 9 (most recent in 2011)

The big question: Can Lancashire finally put all the pieces together to mount a sustained title challenge? Despite being touted by many as strong contenders to lift the trophy in 2023, the Red Rose drew ten of their 14 games to finish fifth. However, they have undergone changes off the field over the winter, including appointing new head coach Dale Benkenstein, and will once again be bullish about their chances.

Key players: Lancashire have without doubt made the most eye-catching signing of anyone heading into 2024 in Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. Given the need to turn draws into wins and the fact that their spinners collectively averaged 39.57 in 2023, Lyon is a perfect fit even before his surreal star power is considered. Top-order batter Josh Bohannon, who was Division One’s leading run-scorer last season with 1,257, will also be instrumental, as will opener, and new captain, Keaton Jennings.

Wildcard watch: Wigan-born middle order batter Matty Hurst caught the eye in the final two games of last season, hitting back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries against Nottinghamshire and Kent. With the departures of Steven Croft and Dane Vilas from Lancashire’s red-ball team, there could be an opportunity for the talented 20-year-old, who can also keep wicket, to nail down a spot.

Final thought: Lancashire fans will be eager to see how former Gloucestershire head coach Benkenstein gets on in the Old Trafford hot seat. He has a task on his hands to increase the Red Rose’s cutting edge to a point that they can be considered genuine contenders, but there is no doubt that the quality exists within their squad to be in the title race, especially with the stellar signing of Lyon.
 

As we gear up for the new season, we can bring our fans the new Essex shirt which will be worn by the Eagles during the 2024/25 Men, Women’s and Women’s 50-over competitions.

We are delighted to launch the shirt in partnership with our Principal Partner and Official Cruise Line Partner, Ambassador Cruise Line as part of their commitment to the Club.

This year, there is a twist.

Our squads will be sporting a brand-new purple and blue design, which features a unique Eagles purple paisley theme throughout the replica shirt and playing cap, designed in collaboration with Ambassador and the Club’s Official Clothing Partner, Surridge Sport.

Explore the new shirt both in-store and online at the Essex Cricket Store and show your support ahead of the new season.

Wear the new shirt

• Adult Sizes (4XL, 3XL, 2XL, XL, Large, Medium, Small) – £50

• Junior Sizes (Youth, Large Junior, Medium Junior, Small Junior) – £40

• Infant Sizes (5-6 years, 3-4 years, 1-2 years) – £30

• Caps (One-Size) – £15.00

The shirt will be worn for the first time by our Women’s team on Sunday 21 April in the Women’s County 50-over match against Sussex.

Tom Westley’s squad will be kitted out in purple for this year’s Metro Bank One Day Cup competition, which takes place in July and August, beginning with the visit of Warwickshire to The Cloud County Ground on Wednesday 24 July.

The Club’s Ability teams will also wear the new shirt during their D40 and Super 9s campaigns throughout the 2024 season.

This is the sixth part of a series, with a look back at a memorable game from the past against each of Essex’s 2024 home Vitality Blast opponents. This next instalment looks back to a nail-biting comeback victory over Middlesex from a decade ago.

Essex (157-8) beat Middlesex (153-5) by two wickets
Chelmsford County Ground, 20 June 2014

Scorecard: View Here

The job of the finisher in a white-ball line-up has grown in importance over the past few years, with recent IPL auctions showing that teams are prepared to pay top dollar for a specialist in the role.

Many would credit Michael Bevan with defining the idea of finishing matches, and Shahid Afridi, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell with refining it since.

However, on one night in Chelmsford in June 2014, Tim Phillips delivered a masterclass in the art, hauling Essex to the unlikeliest of wins over Middlesex by blasting 33 off 13 from number eight.

It helped the Eagles overhaul a target of 154, set after Eoin Morgan had struck a 46-ball 69 for the visitors, with just two balls to spare and maintain a charge for the knockouts.

Having opted to field first after winning the toss, the initial stages were rather tit-for-tat, as despite Phillips removing Joe Denly to a caught and bowled, Middlesex reached 67-1 after eight overs.

Wickets in back-to-back overs from Tymal Mills and Reece Topley removed dangerous pair Dawid Malan and Dan Christian, respectively, though Morgan remained an ominous presence.

The Panthers posted three figures with six overs to go despite Ravi Bopara and David Masters keeping things tight in the middle overs, claiming combined figures of 1/46 from seven overs.

Even with the brakes on, England international Morgan was unbeaten throughout, and he reached his half-century in 38 balls before freeing his arms to hit four of his next seven balls to the fence.

The defining moment, though, came when he was run out in a mix-up with Neil Dexter, falling short at the striker’s end after coming back for an improbable second.

It took the wind out of Middlesex’s sails, and the visitors managed just one more boundary in the 25 balls that remained of their innings as Mills and Topley ended with identical returns of 1/31 each.

In reply, Mark Pettini made a confident start from the top, overcoming the early loss of opening partner Jesse Ryder to guide Essex to 43-1 after the powerplay, of which he had amassed 30.

He became a little more watchful up to the halfway point, fulfilling the anchor role as the Eagles moved to 69-3 at halfway, though the game swung into the balance when he fell to Dexter for 42.

Ben Foakes and Ryan ten Doeschate grafted away to keep the scoreboard ticking over, adding 31 to bring up the team hundred in the 15th over before the former was caught by Malan off Christian.

At the end of that over, Essex required 49 off 30 balls, but once James Foster had been caught and bowled by Gurjit Sandhu for nine, that became a trickier 41 off 23 with four wickets in hand.

Yet, Essex had a wildcard up their sleeves; enter Phillips. Initially watchful, he took a solitary run from his first three balls before being put back on strike for the final ball of Sandhu’s over.

That was promptly dispatched for a maximum, and after he repeated the trick off the final ball of the next over, bowled by James Harris, there was a sense that the tide was turning.

Rapidly, it was becoming the case the only danger to Essex’s chances of successfully overhauling the target was Phillips running out of partners.

However, even Ryan ten Doeschate falling for 34 in the penultimate over did not take anything away from Phillips, and when he struck the first ball of the final over for six, Essex needed just seven more.

Tymal Mills being run out by John Simpson off a wide ball at the bowler’s end provided even more drama, but the Phillips show just kept going.

Facing down Sandhu with five needed off four balls, he first sprinted two, before winning the match in style and lifting the proverbial roof off Chelmsford with another six.

He embraced Masters in joy and Sandhu looked on in despair as the Eagles confirmed another win on their way to finishing atop the South Group with a memorable ten wins in 14 games.

The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground

With demand running high across the board, there’s no time to waste to secure the best seats as the Eagles get their Blast season underway with the aim of going one better in 2024.

Click below to buy your Middlesex general admission tickets now:

WBS Logistics have been confirmed as Essex Cricket’s newest Official Partner on a three-year deal.

The new partnership will see the WBS Logistics logo displayed on the back of the Twenty20 playing shirt, as well as further branding showcased across Club channels.

WBS Logistics boasts a young and dynamic team who are serious about delivering excellence, with their strapline “Delivering your potential” reflecting their passion for growth and continued progression.

Founded in 2003, WBS Logistics has expanded dramatically over the last two decades, providing quality international logistics services to and from Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the USA, Asia, and beyond, with locations across the UK and a head office in Wickford, Essex.

WBS Logistics are half-owned by current Principal Partner Woodland Group, with a 2021 deal seeing the latter purchase a stake while existing director David Burnham retained a 50% interest.

In 2021 they acquired long standing partner WBS Nordic to further develop its business in Scandinavia, and today, WBS Logistics can be seen leading the way in sustainable logistics solutions.

They take a personal approach to collaborating with their clients, providing long established road, sea, and air freight solutions, and their in-house customs team ensures their customers’ imports and exports run as smoothly as possible whilst their Wickford facility offers bespoke fulfilment and warehousing services.

David Burnham, Managing Director of WBS Logistics, said: “As an Essex based business with international expertise, WBS Logistics are delighted to sign a three year partnership deal with Essex Cricket.

“We look forward to further success both on and off the field and can’t wait for the season to start.”

Daryl Townson, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, added: “It’s wonderful to welcome WBS Logistics on board as an Official Partner of Essex Cricket.

“It’s always an exciting time for the Club when we add a new partnership, and we can now celebrate the beginning of a new and hopefully successful association with another flourishing Essex business.”

This is the fifth part of a series, with a look back at a memorable game from the past against each of Essex’s 2024 home Vitality Blast opponents. This latest instalment looks back to a dramatic win against Hampshire on the south coast from 2016.

Essex (153-6) beat Hampshire (150-7) by three runs
The Rose Bowl, 08 July 2016

Scorecard: View Here

The news that a Pakistani-born all-rounder had dominated a match in which Shahid Afridi was playing would lead to many naturally assuming a link between the two.

However, on the occasion of Essex squeaking out a nail-biting win away to Hampshire in July 2016, it wasn’t ‘Boom Boom’ who stood out in Hampshire yellow, but in fact Ashar Zaidi for the visitors.

Zaidi, who was born in Karachi but qualified as a local player during the three seasons he spent with Essex, glued the Eagles’ innings together with 47 off 43, before taking 2/16 from four overs with the ball.

He was supported while batting by Tom Westley, who hit a swift 18-ball 33, and then in the visitors’ defence of their total by Matt Quinn, who also took two wickets, including the huge scalp of Afridi.

 
In the early stages of the contest, observers could have been forgiven for assuming they were about to see Essex, who had won the toss and opted to bat, hit a far bigger total than they eventually posted.

Overcoming the early loss of Kishen Velani, Westley and Jesse Ryder took the attack to the Hampshire bowlers in the powerplay, striking a combined ten fours in the opening six overs to reach 67-1.

It was the introduction of Liam Dawson at that point, however, that derailed things somewhat, as both fell to the spinner and the Eagles were only able to add a further 16 before the halfway point.

Zaidi, who had been brought to the crease after the departure of Ryder, grafted away against Dawson and fellow spinners Afridi and Brad Taylor alongside Ravi Bopara, adding 49 for the fourth wicket.

 
Those runs came off 48 balls, reflecting the pressure being applied by the home twirlers, though Zaidi did free his arms to smash Taylor for the innings’ sole six midway through the 16th over.

He followed it up by hitting Gareth Andrew for Essex’s final boundary 15 balls later after Bopara had fallen to Afridi for 17, though he fell short of posting 50 when he was run out in Andrew’s final over.

That 20th over totalled nine balls after Andrew sent down three wides, which was enough to push Essex past 150 and give them something defendable, especially with the pitch behaving in the way it had.

In fact, what no-one knew at half-time was that those three final-over extras would prove to be crucial in deciding the outcome of the contest.

Not that that was even being thought about as the hosts began their chase, and Michael Carberry ensured it kicked off in similar fashion to how Essex had set out, hitting 24 off 18 up front.

 
That, alongside the eternally classy James Vince amassing a similarly-paced 23, helped Hampshire into the driving seat at the end of the powerplay at 52-2, needing another 102 to win.

However, just as Essex had found out, the end of the fielding restrictions brought about a slowdown in the scoring, with Vince and Sean Ervine only able to add another 25 in the ensuing four overs.

Within those four overs was the introduction of Zaidi to the bowling attack too, and he continued his impressive individual night with the scalp of Dawson, caught by Bopara in the covers for eight.

At the halfway point, Vince had 34 of Hampshire’s total of 77-3, which was exactly level with the required rate and the first sign that a very tense finish might be on the cards.

 
The home skipper looked to dispel that notion with a 16-run over off Quinn to push his side beyond the required rate, and posted his fifty in 37 balls with a single off Zaidi at the start of the 13th over.

Two wickets in 13 balls, one of which was the dangerous Afridi miscuing back to Quinn off his own bowling to cue a wild celebration, brought the match back into the balance.

When Graham Napier then uprooted Vince’s middle stump for 62, things were tense with Hampshire requiring another 31 from 22 with four wickets in hand.

Taylor and Lewis McManus combined for three boundaries and a total of 23 runs over the next 16 deliveries to ratchet up the tension, with McManus in particular looking rather free-flowing.

 
Two of those boundaries, one of which was Hampshire’s only maximum, came off the bat of McManus in successive Napier deliveries during the penultimate over.

That left Bopara with seven runs to defend from the final set of six balls, but it was from the second delivery that he struck a hammer blow to Hampshire’s chances by removing McManus for 18.

The England all-rounder then impressively held his nerve to concede just three more runs, including a final two dot balls sent down to Andrew, sealing a win that handed Essex a priceless two points.

Ultimately, the Eagles ended up sneaking into the knockout stages by a single point ahead of Surrey, underlining the old adage that every game really does count.

The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground

With demand running high across the board for this year’s competition, there’s no time to waste to secure the best seats as the Eagles square up to last year’s vanquished semi-final opponents.

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Leading independently-owned logistics company Woodland Group has agreed to renew their status as a Principal Partner of Essex Cricket for a further three years.

By continuing to sponsor the Twenty20 playing shirt and having their branding displayed across Essex Cricket channels, long-standing Principal Partner Woodland Group will extend their association with the Club into a 15th season.

The company will also remain the Title Sponsor of both the Pavilion and Premier Marquees at the ground, as well as the Twenty20 Player of the Match Award.

Headquartered in Chelmsford with strategic locations in Marks Tey, Wickford, and Harlow, Woodland Group’s deep roots in Essex form the prominent independent supply chain enterprise’s foundations.

The company boasts nine additional sites across the UK and a robust global footprint with 23 locations worldwide, including key hubs in the USA, Asia, Ireland, and mainland Europe.

Founded in 1988, Woodland Group has cemented its reputation as a leader in supply chain management, delivering cutting-edge, sustainable solutions through effective collaborations and client service excellence.

Specialising in comprehensive freight services encompassing road, sea, air, and rail transport, supported by in-house customs, sustainability, and digital teams, the company continually pioneers innovative solutions and fosters international expansion.

Driven by its purpose to create opportunity and deliver sustainable supply chains, Woodland Group offers growth and industry-leading solutions through partnerships founded on trust and its Woodland-wide dedication to continuous improvement.

Kevin Stevens, Chairman and CEO of Woodland Group, commented: “The Essex County Cricket Club, its players, team members, and community have formed an integral part of Woodland Group’s internal, sporting, social, and brand engagement for more than a decade now.

“Our Woodlanders, partners, clients, and suppliers have spent countless days enjoying sporting and entertainment excellence at the grounds.

“Our partnership strength lies in the knowledge that our company values are closely aligned to the values of family, community, trust, ongoing development and drive for excellence, as well as the dedication to giving back that the Club embodies.

“We’re happy to extend our partnership with Essex Cricket and look forward to more years creating memories and positive impact together.”

John Stephenson, Chief Executive at Essex Cricket, added: “I can speak on behalf of everyone at the Club when I say how delighted I am that we have extended our association with Woodland Group, our longest-serving Principal Partner.

“We are all very grateful for their support over the last 12 seasons, and with their business going from strength to strength, as well as high hopes of success for Essex on the field, we are very much looking forward to continuing that relationship for another three years.”
 

Overseas all-rounder Daniel Sams will now be available for Essex’s full Vitality Blast campaign in 2024, including any possible knockout games.

Originally, Sams’ third stint with the Eagles was set to take in eight group stage games, plus any potential knockout matches, owing to the Australian’s pre-existing commitments to other leagues.

However, he will now be available for selection for all of Essex’s matches, including the six group stage games he was originally set to miss.

Those six include two standout fixtures at The Cloud County Ground, taking in a rematch of the 2023 final against Somerset, and the home Battle of the Bridge against Kent.

Sams will also play Surrey in Chelmsford, as well as being part of the squad for trips to Glamorgan, Sussex Sharks, and Hampshire Hawks.

Last season, the 31-year-old topped the Eagles’ T20 run-scoring and wicket-taking charts, hitting 419 with the bat at a strike rate of 173.14, and claiming 25 victims with the ball at an average of 21.00.

He was crowned the competition’s Most Valuable Player after the final, ahead of Hampshire captain James Vince.

Should Anthony McGrath’s men qualify, the Blast quarter-finals are scheduled to be held between Tuesday 03 and Friday 06 September, with Finals Day set for the week after, on Saturday 14.

The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground

With over 20,000 tickets sold and two Friday night fixtures already packed out, demand is running high, so there’s no time to waste to secure the best seats as the Eagles aim to go one better in 2024.

Sunday 02 June, 4:00pm: Essex v Middlesex – buy here
Friday 07 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here (LAST FEW TICKETS)
Friday 14 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Sussex Sharks – SOLD OUT
Thursday 20 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Hampshire Hawks – buy here
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – SOLD OUT
Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here
Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Essex Cricket is proud to announce a tender bid to run a Tier One professional women’s cricket team from 2025.

The ECB have confirmed that, under plans to evolve the women’s professional game structure from 2025, the running of each of the eight regional sides will transfer to a First-Class county for an initial five years from next summer.

Focusing on community engagement and empowerment, the Club’s bid aims to revolutionise the landscape of women’s cricket under the resounding banner of ‘We Are Essex’.

With a strong history of nurturing inspiring role models, cricket in Essex has always held the power to unify a region.

Now, with the bid for a Tier One professional women’s team, Essex Cricket is poised to deepen these connections to create a catalyst for change, breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation of female cricketers.

At the heart of an Essex professional women’s team is a strong partnership with the University of Essex and neighbouring professional outfit, the Essex Rebels, who compete in basketball and volleyball at elite national league level.

The delivery partnership crystallises all parties’ connected ambition to celebrate our region and play our part in transforming women’s sport.

Our bid is moving forward under a vision to be the number one region in England for women and girls’ sport with cricket at the heart of this, with the support of a number of key organisations and individuals, including the cricket boards of Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

Chief Executive, John Stephenson, said of the Club’s bid: “We aim to create the strongest playing pathways, nurture the most inspiring role models, and deliver electrifying moments in iconic arenas.

“With the full knowledge that a successful bid allows us a once-in-a-generation chance to transform women’s cricket in our region, we are incredibly excited by this opportunity and proud to submit a bid.

“We are delighted to have received so much support from eminent individuals and organisations throughout Essex and the region, and we are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the process.

“We now look forward to presenting our inspiring vision and innovative delivery model to the ECB.”

Essex Women’s player and cricket trailblazer, Catherine Dalton, added: “The recent growth of women’s cricket in England and Wales has been exciting to watch, but even more exhilarating to be a part of.

“I am of course delighted to be in my position with Multan Sultans on a personal level, but my major aim is to continue to demonstrate to young female cricketers that they can achieve anything in the game.

“At Essex, our talent pathway is flourishing, with a brief look to our Under-18s’ achievements in national competitions telling you everything you need to know.

“Now, our aim is to ensure that success is celebrated and maintained, with the opportunity to host a fully-professional Essex team a wonderful opportunity to do just that.”

Dr Dave Parry, Director of Sport at the University of Essex, said: “This is a very exciting bid, and we are proud to be at the heart of taking women’s cricket to the next level in Essex and beyond.

“We have a proud history of supporting elite female sport and already host the FA Women’s High-Performance Centre and are a proud home to the Essex Rebels basketball and volleyball teams.

“Players will benefit from working with researchers, who already have extensive experience in supporting top athletes across the globe, and will have access to our elite on-site sport science facilities.

“This trailblazing project further develops Essex as the home of elite sport in the eastern region.”

The Cloud County Ground is already the home of the Sunrisers, hosting matches in both 50-over and T20 cricket, and is renowned for regularly welcoming England Women for international fixtures with capacity crowds.

Chelmsford will host a further nine days of women’s white-ball cricket this summer, including Essex Women, Sunrisers, and Heather Knight’s England, who face Pakistan in a Metro Bank Women’s One Day International on 29 May.

In addition, the Club recently marked International Women’s Day by becoming only the fourth men’s first-class county to enter into a partnership with anti-sexism campaign organisation ‘Her Game Too’.

We invite the community to join us on this exciting journey as Essex strive to make history and elevate women’s cricket to new heights.
 

Essex Cricket was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Robin Hobbs on Sunday morning at the age of 81.

A key member of the Essex squad during the 1960s and 70s, affable leg-spinner Robin made his debut in 1961 after being signed by the late Trevor Bailey, who also acted as his mentor during his career.

He went on to make 325 appearances for Essex between 1961 and 1975, taking 763 wickets at an average of exactly 26.00.

He played seven Test matches for England between 1967 and 1971, taking 12 wickets, and doing so as the last specialist leg-spinner for more than 20 years until Ian Salisbury debuted in 1992.

Capped by Essex in 1964, he received a benefit year a decade later before finishing his career at Glamorgan, whom he captained in the 1979 season.

Coincidentally, Robin’s best bowling figures of 8/63 were claimed for Essex against the Welsh county in 1966 at Swansea, and he went on to finish his career with a total of 1,099 wickets.

Born in Chippenham, Wiltshire on 08 May 1942 to Reg and Betty (née Dornhorst) Hobbs, Robin spent his early childhood in Scotland after his father, an RAF Flight Lieutenant, was posted to Dundee.

Following the end of the Second World War and his father’s decision to leave the RAF, the family settled in Dagenham, where Reg found work as a car salesman and a grocery shop owner.

Robin passed the 11-plus exam and attended Raine’s Foundation School in Stepney where he was first pushed towards playing cricket; he would go on to captain the school team before leaving in 1958.

He entered employment later that year, for the Employers Liability Insurance Company in London as a clerk, playing for the company as well as club sides Chadwell Heath and, latterly, Chingford.

Curiously, it was Kent who first offered Robin a route into playing county cricket, with the rule at the time being that they had to approach Essex, as Robin’s home county, for permission to sign him.

However, Essex had missed out on signing Robin’s namesake, the great Jack Hobbs, years earlier, and were not prepared to make the same mistake twice, especially on a man who shared his name.

Robin was signed up by Essex, achieving a long-held dream of becoming a professional cricketer, and made his 2nd XI debut against Leicestershire in May 1960.

There was some initial self-confessed frustration on Robin’s part, but with a turnover in the spin corps occurring in the winter of 1960-61, he pushed his way up the pecking order towards a First XI bow.

That arrived, against Leicestershire in May 1961 at Valentine’s Park in Ilford, before his very first Essex wicket came in the next game away to Gloucestershire in Stroud.

Robin’s England caps came at the peak of his powers in the late 1960s, taking in home contests against India and Pakistan, as well as touring both the latter and the West Indies.

His best return in the international arena was the 3/25 he collected on debut against India at Headingley in a six-wicket win for the hosts, before returning to county cricket after seven Tests.

Having established himself as one of Essex’s “spin triplets” alongside David Acfield and Ray East, Robin’s crowning glory came when he took his 1,000th first-class wicket in 1975.

Travelling to reigning county champions Worcestershire, Robin needed six further scalps to hit the landmark and after he took two in the first innings, the hosts were set 151 to win on the final day.

After he had tiptoed to the fateful 999 with three more, Worcestershire were eight down and still needing 50 to win. There was now next to no threat of an upset win to derail Robin’s day.

He reached the colossal milestone by bowling John Inchmore, before John Lever castled Brian Brain to confirm Essex’s first win of the season, providing the ideal backdrop to Robin’s achievement.

Later that year, he stunningly won the Walter Lawrence Trophy, awarded to the season’s fastest century, with a thrilling 46-ball effort against the touring Australians in August that saw him go from 50 to 100 in just 15 deliveries.

He was not known as a batter, and Rod Marsh, the visiting captain, is reported to have become so frustrated with Robin’s whirlwind performance that, when he was on 94, told him “You’ve had your fun, now get out or I’m going to bring [Jeff Thomson] back on.”

Robin promptly dispatched another six, the seventh of his innings, to reach a stunning century before being caught on the boundary – and all without having to face the terrifying Thomson again!

Having departed Essex at the conclusion of the 1975 season, he resurrected his career with a three-year spell in South Wales between 1979 and 1981.

Poetically, his final game of a long and distinguished career came in the county where it all began, away to Essex in Colchester in August 1981.

Naturally, he signed off from the game the only way he knew how, with a five-wicket haul; the 50th of his career.

Following retirement, Robin found employment back in the financial services sector with Barclays, alongside becoming a long-standing and valued member of Hutton Cricket Club.

His passion for cricket continued at Essex, coaching the age group sides from Under 12s to Under 15s for a period of time, whilst also being a familiar face with fellow Members and supporters during his regular visits to Chelmsford.

The thoughts of all at Essex Cricket are with Robin’s son Nick, and all of his family and friends.