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150 tickets made available for Surrey T20 Blast game

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2017

A further 150 tickets for the highly sought after NatWest T20 Blast opener against Surrey have been released to Eagles supporters.

With tickets for the tournament opener being snapped up quickly after they went on sale, another 150 have now been made available.

With the likes of Mohammad Amir, Ashar Zaidi and Ravi Bopara in action for The Eagles and big names such as Jason Roy and Aaron Finch making the journey to Chelmsford it is sure to be an unbelievable spectacle.

Demand is high, and these tickets are likely to disappear over the next day or two.

Soar With Us and buy your tickets for the Surrey game here!

Hospitality for the Surrey game is now sold out but there is availability for other games. Prices start from £69 + VAT and you can find out more details here or by calling 01245 254120.

Chopra keen for Eagles to bounce-back this week

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2017

Varun Chopra is the very model of a team player: the erstwhile opener has slotted uncomplainingly into the No4 batting berth in the first half of Essex’s Royal London Cup campaign, and his adaptability has been rewarded with his first century since returning to the county.

Not only was Chopra’s enterprising knock in Cardiff his first three-figure score for more than a year – since hitting 107 in the Specsavers County Championship against Yorkshire last April before it all went sour for him at Warwickshire – the 124 against Glamorgan was also his highest total in one-day cricket.

Unfortunately it was not enough to prevent Essex slipping to their first defeat of the season, albeit by one run. They now have the opportunity to revive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the 50-over competition with back-to-back, day-night matches at Chelmsford against Sussex today and Middlesex on Friday.

The 29-year-old Chopra says: “It’s a long season and we’re not going to go unbeaten the whole year. We were on the wrong side of things on Sunday, which was a shame, but we’ve got a big chance now with two home games. It is important we show some character and bounce back.”

The former Warwickshire captain has shown the requisite character by overcoming the disappointment of being the opener omitted from the Championship side to accommodate England’s record run-scorer Alastair Cook, and has bounced back with valuable contributions lower down the order in white-ball cricket.

“I’ll go in where the team needs me to bat,” he says. “I feel like I’m experienced enough and adaptable in my game. So I don’t mind coming in against spin, or if we’re two for two like we were on Sunday. It’s an exciting new role for me. It’s a challenge and one I look forward to. Wherever the team needs me to bat, whatever the team needs me to do at that particular time, I’m confident I can do it.”

In fact, it was almost like being an opener again when he went in to join Cook just nine balls into Essex’s latest innings. The pair put on 104 for the third wicket following a stand of 99 together in the win over Gloucestershire on Thursday – though there were already 101 runs on the board by the time Chopra reached the wicket then.

“I guess it was like opening against Glamorgan in terms of the bowlers still being fresh and the ball still new and hard,” Chopra admitted. “But it is a very different mentality going in at two for two rather than none for none. The bowlers are charged up and the momentum is with them. On Sunday it was important we counter-punched for a bit, just to try and get a bit of the initiative back. I’m just disappointed that in our last 10 overs we didn’t quite see it home.”

With Nick Browne struggling for runs so far, it may not be long before Chopra returns to the top of the order. He says: “We are a tight squad here. We all know that we’ve got a strong batting line-up and at times two batters are going to be left out. That is the nature of our squad. The main thing is that we’re all pulling in the same direction. Competition is never a bad thing in cricket. I’m happy with it. If it’s my time, or someone else’s, we have to make the most of it.”

 

Neil Wagner joins New Zealand squad for Tri-Series in Ireland

Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2017

Essex overseas bowler, Neil Wagner, has flown to Ireland to join up with the New Zealand One-Day squad ahead of their Tri-Series against Ireland and Bangladesh.

Wagner has been added to the squad as an injury replacement and there is currently no time scale on the length of time he will be with the squad.

The left-armer has not been selected in the Champions Trophy squad but could be involved for the duration of the Tri-Series running from Sunday 14 May until Wednesday 24 May.

New Zealand Cricket will be keeping an open line of communication and Essex County Cricket Club will keep supporters informed of any updates.

Stowford Press announced Official Cider Partner

Posted on Monday 8 May 2017

Essex Cricket are pleased to announce Stowford Press as the Club’s Official Cider Partner.

Stowford Press have signed a three-year agreement and will become the Cider provider for Essex Cricket working in conjunction with Brewing Partner Greene King.

Newly branded bar areas have been introduced around The Cloudfm County Ground with Stowford Press showing a real commitment to the Club going forward.

Darrell Fox, Essex Cricket Commercial Manager, said: “This is another exciting partnership for the Club and secures a top-quality Cider partner for the supporters and members to enjoy.

“The longevity of the partnership shows Stowford Press want to be part of the Club going forward and that is great to see.”

Sally McKinnon, Head of Brands, Westons Cider, added: “We are delighted to become the official Cider provider for Essex Cricket. The Westons Cider ethos centres around tradition, quality and heritage and with cricket being deeply rooted in England’s sporting history, we feel the association sits perfectly.”

MATCH PREVIEW | Glamorgan v Essex Eagles

Posted on Saturday 6 May 2017

Three matches and three victories. That’s the proud record that the Essex Eagles carry down to The SSE Swalec on Sunday when they meet Glamorgan in the next South Group match in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Only an inferior run-rate to Somerset denied the Eagles top-placing in the Group following their latest success achieved on Thursday against Gloucestershire at The Cloudfm County Ground.

Chris Silverwood has made one change to the 14-man squad that has seen duty for the first three matches in the competition.

“We are going to rest Matt Quinn purely because of the injury he had and we are trying to look after him and so Paul Walter joins up with the squad,” he explained.

Despite their 100 per cent start, the Eagles Head Coach is determined that his side keep focussed. “One-day cricket is about who plays best on the day and we have to make sure that we go down to Cardiff with the right attitude and make sure that we are the team that plays the best cricket,” he said.

“We need to stick to our game processes and follow our game plan.”

“One of the aspects of our game that I’m really enjoying is the heart and fight our boys are showing. What that means is that we are constantly finding solutions as to how to win a game.”

On a bitterly cold Thursday evening, there were – perhaps understandably – a few errors in the field but Chris is anxious that those are eradicated.

“We can’t look away from the faults, we have to look at them and put things right,” he insisted. “If we want to be the best team, we have to keep trying to improve but overall, I thought our performance was very good.

“Especially with the bat, everything went to plan and we did exactly what we said. It was a good deck and Stuart (Kerrison) prepared a good wicket for us. Gloucestershire have got one or two very dangerous players so it was always going to be difficult for us and the game went to and fro. On paper, 315 looked a good score but with a very good wicket and short boundary on one side, it was always going to be a challenge.

“But we did the job.”

Essex Eagles squad:
Varun Chopra (6) (Ilford)
Nick Browne (10) (South Woodford)
Simon Harmer  (11)
Neil Wagner (13)
Tom Westley (21) (Mildenhall)
Paul Walter (22) (Billericay)
Ravi Bopara (25) (Hainault & Clayhall)
Alastair Cook (26) (Maldon)
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (Harwich) Captain
Dan Lawrence (28) (Chingford)
Adam Wheater (31) Wicket KeeperK (Woodford Wells)
Jamie Porter (44) (Chingford)
Callum Taylor (67) (Swardeston)
Ashar Zaidi (99) (Ilford)

Watch | The skipper applauds his team after Gloucestershire win

Posted on Thursday 4 May 2017

Ryan ten Doeschate was delighted to see his side record a third successive victory in the Royal London One-Day Cup as the unbeaten run this season continues.

The skipper praiseed his batsmen, with a century from Alastair Cook along with contributions from Varun Chopra and Ravi Bopara. It was an all-round performance with the bowlers showing once again that they can restrict the opposition’s run rate at home when defending a first innings total.

Essex Eagles’ next match at The Cloudfm County Ground takes place on Wednesay (10 May) with Sussex Sharks visiting in the Royal London One-Day Cup. Discounted tickets are available for this match in advance and this will be the first Day/Night games, starting at 2pm. Purchase in person, by phone – 01245 254010 or online now.

Match Preview | Essex Eagles v Gloucestershire

Posted on Wednesday 3 May 2017

Unbeaten Essex Eagles have retained the same 14-man squad that was on duty for the first two matches in the competition that saw victories carry the team into second place in the South Group.

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire lost to Glamorgan before overcoming Middlesex. Essex Eagles go in search of the third successive victory in the Royal London One-Day Cup when entertaining Gloucestershire at The Cloudfm County Ground on Thursday where play is scheduled to start at 11am.

Eagles Head Coach Chris Silverwood admitted that his side’s latest success, a one-wicket win over Surrey on Tuesday, was a little too close for comfort.

“It gave me a few more grey hairs but it was worth it,” he said. “From a spectator point of view, it must have been fantastic to watch and the closer we got, the more exciting it became. We kept scrapping away against Surrey and got the points in the end. It was a good game of cricket.

“We did make it hard work for ourselves at times and I told the boys afterwards that I don’t think we’ve really fired properly yet. But we are still grinding out the results and that’s the thing I am genuinely enjoying at the moment. It’s been the same in the Championship, regardless of the situation we’ve found ourselves in, we are finding ways of getting over the line, which is great and that shows the character in the group.

“There is no divine right to win any game of cricket, you have to go out and fight for every inch and that’s what we’ve been doing.

“Also, it is different people who are sticking their hands up and that’s a very positive sign. We saw that against Surrey where Simon Harmer played a great knock, Ryan ten Doeschate batted well along with Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara and not forgetting Matt Quinn right at the end. He had a very important role to play and he did it. People were out there all scrapping for Essex.

“Simon played a great knock against Surrey and since he’s been with us, he’s worked tremendously hard and shown what a good cricketer he is. But there is more to it than that with him, it’s the character he brings to the dressing room and the way he’s fitted in so well with the lads.

“He’s really bought into everything we are trying to do at Essex and that’s why he was rewarded the other day with a two-year contract extension.

“Now we start all over again against Gloucestershire, it’s another tough fixture but hopefully we can keep our unbeaten run going.”

Essex Eagles squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (Harwich) Captain
Adam Wheater (31) (Woodford Wells) Wicket-Keeper
Varun Chopra (6) (Ilford)
Nick Browne (10) (South Woodford)
Simon Harmer  (11)
Neil Wagner (13)
Tom Westley (21) (Mildenhall)
Ravi Bopara (25) (Hainault & Clayhall)
Alastair Cook (26) (Maldon)
Dan Lawrence (28) (Chingford)
Jamie Porter (44) (Chingford)
Callum Taylor (67) (Swardeston)
Matt Quinn (94) (Harlow)
Ashar Zaidi (99) (Ilford)

Gloucestershire squad | Michael Klinger (Captain), Phil Mustard (WK), Chris Dent, Ian Cockbain, Graham van Buuren, Jack Taylor, Benny Howell, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Tom Smith, Craig Miles, Liam Norwell, Matt Taylor, Chris Liddle.

Tickets are on sale now for this match, priced £15 Adults, £10 Students/Young Adults and £5 Juniors (U18s). Get a discount when purchasing in advance or buy on the gate priced £20 for Adults.

LISTEN | Match winner Harmer talks after tense win

Posted on Tuesday 2 May 2017

Essex Eagles went to the wire with Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup, as Simon Harmer struck a gritty and determined 44 of 53 balls to help his side to victory at The Kia Oval.

Simon spoke after play to reflect on his performance and he was pleased to reward the Club and his teammates after signing a new two-year deal at Essex this week.

Watch Harmer and The Eagles in action again this week on Thursday when Gloucestershire visit The Cloudfm County Ground in the Royal London One-Day Cup, with play starting at 11am. Tickets are on sale with discounts available when purchased in advance. More Information – here.

Cook available for all competitions until July

Posted on Tuesday 2 May 2017

Alastair Cook has been made available for all fixtures up until the conclusion of the Specsavers County Championship match against Middlesex on 29 June.

Cook will be back to bolster the ranks in both the Royal London One-Day Cup and County Championship and will look to continue his fine form ahead of the England Test summer.

Having scored a pivotal victory in Essex’s Division One away victory against Somerset, the former England Captain looks in fine fettle ahead of a crucial run of games.

To see Cook in action buy your tickets for Thursday’s Royal London One-Day Cup match against Gloucestershire here!

Match Preview | Surrey v Essex Eagles

Posted on Monday 1 May 2017

Essex Eagles travel to the Kia Oval where they meet Surrey on Tuesday in the Royal London One-Day Cup South Group match, with play scheduled to start at 11am.

The Eagles have retained the same 14-man squad that was named for Sunday’s match with Hampshire when they opened the campaign with a 25 runs victory at The Cloudfm County Ground on Sunday.

Opponents Surrey contrived to lose their first match when Somerset prevailed by 4 wickets at Taunton after the visitors had reduced their opposition to 22 for 5 at one stage in pursuit of 291 to win. They responded in positive manner beating Glamorgan by 8 wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Eagles Head Coach, Chris Silverwood stresses that Tuesday’s opposition presents a stiff challenge for his side.

“It’s a big game for us and Surrey are a difficult side to beat at The Oval. We do respect them and the talent that they have and we will be coming up against some good players on Tuesday.

“But having said that, it’s more about how we do and how we perform in any given game. If we get our skills right, hopefully we’ll come out on top. But if we get our skills right and the opposition still come out on top, then all credit to them.

“All I ask from our boys is that they give 100 per cent every time and if they do that, then you can’t ask more of them. But we do have a lot of talent in our side and we are an evolving side.”

Reflecting on Sunday’s success, Chris enthused: “I was naturally delighted with the win over Hampshire, they came here and played a hard game of cricket and at one point, the result could have gone either way.

“But one thing I love about our side is that they show a lot of character and spirit and we do enjoy the white-ball format.

“Tom Westley was disappointed that he didn’t get his hundred and we are disappointed for him as well but at the same time, he did a great job for us and put is in a good position by laying the platform and showing what a good player he is.

“Then when you have people like Ashar Zaidi that can come in down the order and blast 70 odd as he did off 40 balls, then we are in a good place with a lot of ammunition down the order.

“From a bowling perspective, it was good to see Neil Wagner take four wickets.

“We fought really had to beat Hampshire, we’ve fought really hard in the three Championship matches we’ve played and people keep putting their hands up. We know there are areas where we need to improve but we’ll keep driving the squad forward.

“So a good start in the One-Day Cup, now it’s onto Surrey and we’ll see what that brings.”

Essex Eagles squad:

Varun Chopra (6)

Nick Browne (10)

Simon Harmer  (11)

Neil Wagner (13)

Tom Westley (21)

Ravi Bopara (25)

Alastair Cook (26)

Ryan ten Doeschate (27) Captain

Dan Lawrence (28)

Adam Wheater (31) Wicket-keeper

Jamie Porter (44)

Callum Taylor (67)

Matt Quinn (94)

Ashar Zaidi (99)