Everyone at Essex Cricket would like to wish all of Members and supporters a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Essex County Ground in 2017 with so many great matches to look forward to.
The season kicks off on Friday 7 April against Lancashire for the opening fixture of the Division One campaign.
Now its time to watch our special message to all of our supporters around the world, from some of our players currently around the world!
The publication of the County Championship fixtures for 2017 affords the opportunity to turn back the pages of history and reflect on two matches against each of the seven opponents that Essex will face on their return to the top-flight.
Essex open their Championship campaign with a visit from Lancashire and we commence this feature of articles with a look at past meetings with the men from Manchester. It will be the 153rd occasion that the two counties have locked horns in the longer form of the game and the Red Rose County have enjoyed greater success with 51 victories and 29 defeats. One match was tied and one abandoned.
June 2013 at Chelmsford.
Lancashire 398 (SM Katich 122, KW Hogg 58, AG Prince 56, G Chapple 50*, DD Masters 4-72) beat Essex 273 (JS Foster 82, RN ten Doeschate 77), & 20 (G Chapple 5-9, KW Hogg 4-11) by an innings and 105 runs.
Lancashire 23pts, Essex 5pts.
Yet at one stage, the match looked nicely poised after Simon Katich had been removed for 125 to leave the visitors only four runs ahead on 277 for 8. Then Hogg and Chapple made their presence felt, firstly with the bat. Hogg added 69 for the ninth wicket with skipper Chapple before being bowled for 58 by David Masters. Chapple was then involved in another half-century stand, 52 with last man Simon Kerrigan, who was finally caught behind off Reece Topley for 31, leaving Chapple on 50 but now out of partners.
This match ended with a record-breaking performance for the home side – although it was not one to shout about. Essex were bowled out for just 20, their record lowest total in Championship cricket and the worst in county cricket for 30 years. Lancashire captain Glen Chapple and fellow paceman Kyle Hogg destroyed Essex who capitulated tamely in 66 minutes.
Immediately before setting out on their campaign of destruction, both had hit half-centuries and that gave little indication of the carnage that was to follow when the home side commenced their second innings with a 125 runs deficit. In only 14.2 overs, Chapple (5-9) and Hogg (4-11) ended the game as six batsmen failed to score in the abject Essex second innings.
Nobody on the ground would have envisaged the capitulation lasting little over an hour that would see Essex suffer an embarrassing defeat. The carnage started with the loss of the first three wickets with the score on five. The total was doubled before wicket number 4 went down one run later, Essex were 11 for 5. Four runs later, another two batsmen quickly returned to the pavilion and the ninth wicket fell with the score on 20 when opener Jaik Mickleburgh was dismissed having contributed half of the runs on the scoreboard. The wicket of Topley to the next delivery ended the match, one of 6 leg before wicket victims in the innings as a series of Essex batsmen played around the ball.
Essex head coach at the time Paul Grayson was left shell-shocked.
“I don’t know what to say to be honest because I’m still in a state of shock,” he said. “Nothing has been said in the dressing room because now is not the right time. Emotions are running very high at the moment as you can imagine, there’s not a lot of singing and dancing going on. As I say, I’m lost for words. It was a good wicket probably one of the best all year that we could have batted on at Chelmsford but 20 all out, it’s amazing.
“When we started out in our second innings, it should have been a case of us batting for the rest of the day, there were 56 over left I think and we should have set our stall out to bat through those overs and for a long period.
“It needed a couple of people to get in and get big hundreds which is obviously something that we don’t do enough of as a team. I’d have been happy is someone in the top order had been prepared to grind it out with say 40 or 50 not out.”
Lancashire’s victory proved one of 8 victories for the side in the Championship who would complete the season at the top of Division Two.
The only crumb of comfort for Essex was that it was not the lowest total recorded on the ground. That claim is held by Surrey who were dismissed for 14 by Essex in 1983.
June 1992 at Valentine’s Park, Ilford.
Essex 510-2 declared (ME Waugh 219*, N Hussain 172*, PJ Prichard 50) beat Lancashire 212 (GD Lloyd 61, JH Childs 5-50) and 261 (GD Lloyd 76, SP Titchard 74) by an innings and 37 runs.
Essex 24pts Lancashire 2pts.
A season in which Essex were destined to lift the County Championship crown once again winning 11 of their 22 matches in the competition. This victory proved one of the most comprehensive successes of that wonderful summer as the county proved competitive in all three formats finishing runners-up in the Sunday League and reaching the last four of the NatWest Trophy.
In this featured match, Essex captain Graham Gooch won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on the festival ground that, as ever, offered a feast of runs with its sloping and fast outfield. In warm sunshine, the first four Essex batsmen enjoyed a run spree with Gooch and Paul Prichard starting the onslaught with an opening stand of 76.
It was Mark Waugh and Nasser Hussain though that took starring roles. Waugh (272 minutes, 243 balls, 34 x 4’s, 1 x6) combined with Hussain (206 minutes, 193 balls, 24 x 4’s) in an unbroken stand of 347 runs spanning 380 balls to set a new county third wicket partnership beating the previous record set by Dick Horsfall and Paul Gibb 41 years previously against Kent at Blackheath.
At lunch, Essex had reached 187 for 2, then Waugh and Hussain added 215 runs in 38 overs in the afternoon segment of play before continuing their run-fest after tea and ahead of the inevitable declaration. By the close of the first day, the visitors had lost the wicket of skipper Michael Atherton for 33.
The second day provided lively entertainment as Lancashire struggled when facing the left-arm spin of John Childs whilst some tigerish close-catching accounted for a number of batsmen. By 2.30 in the afternoon, they found themselves following on and trailing by 248 runs. After a further 15 overs, they were staring defeat in the face at 48 for 3 but a resilient stand between Stephen Titchard and Graham Lloyd bolstered the innings. It was not until Gooch brought on Derek Pringle for his first bowl of the match that the two resistant forces were undone to end a stand worth 132 runs. The bowler added another wicket in each of his next two overs to give the home side the prospect of completing the match in two days. Gooch claimed the extra 10 overs available but there were just three balls remaining when Childs took the wicket of last man Alex Barnett to complete return match figures of 7 for 113. He was well-supported by his spin partner Peter Such who claimed five victims in the victory that took the giants back to the top of the table,
Hussain still shares in two first-class record stands for Essex – the unbroken 347 partnership with Waugh featured here and also for the fourth wicket (314) with Salim Malik against Surrey at The Oval in 1991.
This match is featured in the publication 60 Classic Essex matches available from the Essex Club Shop.
Follow Essex Cricket on Facebook and Twitter for your chance to win some great Essex prizes in December and January for the 12 Deliveries of Christmas!
From Christmas Day you can have the chance to win a prize over 12 days by simply guessing the correct answer from the unique video clip each day. All voting will only be available via the Essex Cricket social media accounts with a winner announced on the following day – Good luck!
Here is a teaser of what’s to come…
Aaron Beard has been named in the 15-man squad for the England Under 19s tour of India in January and February.
Beard, 19, is currently with the Young Lions squad in Dubai and will now head out to India before joining up with Essex for pre-season training.
Yorkshire fast bowler Matthew Fisher will return to the England Under-19 set-up for the first time since the summer of 2014 on the tour of India early next year.
Fisher, who made his debut for the Under-19s as a 15-year-old in 2013 shortly after becoming the youngest ever county cricketer for Yorkshire, has been appointed to captain the team for a five-match one-day series against India Under-19s in Mumbai.
Middlesex opener Max Holden will then lead the team in two four-day matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The squad includes 10 uncapped players, four of whom were not involved on the Young Lions training camp in Dubai over the last three weeks – Nottinghamshire’s Liam Patterson-White and Somerset’s Louie Shaw, who are both left-arm spinners, and seamers Henry Brookes of Warwickshire, and Jack Bruce of Middlesex.
David Graveney OBE, the Under-19s chairman of selectors, said: “Touring India at any level is challenging, as the senior England team would confirm. But that is why it is so valuable to be able to expose our best young players to these challenges at Under-19 level.
“We expect the India team to be very strong, as they showed in the ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year and again in the Asia Cup, under the supervision of Rahul Dravid. So this is a huge opportunity for the 15 players who have been selected, especially with a return series against India at home next summer.
“Six players have been ruled out by injury – Surrey’s Amar Virdi, Worcestershire’s George Scrimshaw, Yorkshire’s Ed Barnes and Durham’s Josh Coughlin were all injured on the Young Lions training camp in Dubai this month, and Somerset’s Ben Green and Warwickshire’s George Panayi had been ruled out before that.
“Obviously that is a disappointment both to us and to those players, who have now returned to their counties. But it does provide opportunities for other players who have been on our radar for a while, and have impressed at Under-17 level in the regional Super-4 competition which is part of the Young Lions programme.
“It is a major boost to have the ability and experience of Matthew Fisher back in the squad. He was a key figure in England’s success in the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Dubai, and after he was affected by injuries in the 2016 summer this is a good opportunity for him to test himself against his contemporaries in different conditions in India.
“The Young Lions camp provided the majority of the squad with excellent preparation for the trip, with a number of ECB elite coaches supplementing the coaching staff who have been working with them throughout the winter. Paul Collingwood and Neil Killeen will now return to Durham, with England batting coach Mark Ramprakash and Jon Lewis from Sussex joining ECB lead spin-bowling coach Peter Such in Andy Hurry’s coaching team in India.”
Squad | M Fisher (Yorkshire, captain for one-day series), M Holden (Middlesex, captain for four-day matches), H Brook (Yorkshire)*, G Bartlett (Somerset), E Woods (Surrey)*, W Jacks (Surrey)*, D Rawlins (Sussex)*, O Pope (Surrey, wk), T Banton (Somerset, wk)*, L Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire)*, L Shaw (Somerset)*, A Beard (Essex), J Blatherwick (Nottinghamshire)*, H Brookes (Warwickshire)*, J Bruce (Middlesex)*.
* – uncapped.
Fixtures | One-day series v India Under-19s (Mumbai) – Jan 30 (Wankhede Stadium), Feb 1 (CCI), 3 (CCI), 6 (Wankhede Stadium), 8 (Wankhede Stadium); Four-day matches v India Under-19s (Chennai) – Feb 13-16, 21-24 (both MA Chidambaram Stadium).
Essex Cricket are delighted to announce that the Commercial Brochure for 2017 has now been launched! Jam packed with our hospitality and sponsorship offering for the forthcoming campaign, what better way to start the new year than starting or renewing your relationship with your local professional Cricket Club?
Join us for another exciting season of NatWest T20 Blast, sit back and relax whilst watching Essex take on the West Indies or simply enjoy the team taking on some of the top opposition in the country during the Specsavers County Championship.
Follow the link to view the brochure online or you cal order a copy here.
Make 2017 a year to remember for your business with Essex Cricket.
With the festive period fast approaching, the Essex Cricket Store Christmas opening times are now available.
Supporters are advised to pick up any discounted items as soon as possible as stock will go!
Why not grab a Specsavers County Champions Division Two Champions t-shirt? Or one of the replica match playing shirts?
Leisurewear is still available and we haven’t mentioned the large array of cricket bats, pads, gloves and so on.
Get down to the store as soon as possible at any of the below opening times!
Cricket Store Opening Times:
Monday 19 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Tuesday 20 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 21 December | 9am – 2pm
Thursday 22 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Friday 23 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Christmas Eve – Monday 2 January | Closed
Tuesday 3 January | Regular Open Hours Resume – 9am – 5:30pm
Membership & Ticketing Office Opening Times:
Monday 19 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Tuesday 20 December | 9am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 21 December | 9am – 3pm
Thursday 22 December | Closed
Friday 23 December | 9am – 2pm
Christmas Eve – Monday 2 January | Closed
Tuesday 3 January | Regular Open Hours Resume – 9am – 5pm
You can still purchase 2017 Memberships online to take advantage of the Earlybird savings, which ends on December 31! View Here
Treat your family to something this Christmas and make the most of the Essex Cricket Store free Christmas postage and packaging.
Tomorrow is the last day to order any presents for your loved ones and take advantage of this seasonal offer!
With an array of replica shirts still available, a large variety of cricket goods and an array of leisurewear there is something for everyone during the festive period.
Head over to the Essex Cricket Store website here and make the most of free postage and packaging.
The busy schedule continued in July as Chris Silverwood’s team continued to challenge on all three fronts.
Essex Eagles v Kent Spitfires | NatWest T20 Blast
Essex welcomed Kent to The E.C.G for a Battle of the Bridge clash against their arch-rivals.
It was arguably one of the most comprehensive T20 performances of the season by Essex as they posted 204-3 thanks to an unbeaten 81 from Ravi Bopara and spectacular 54 not out from Ashar Zaidi.
In response Kent couldn’t get going with only Alex Blake and Tom Latham making valuable contributions as Kent stuttered to 154 for 9.
Essex v Kent | Specsavers County Championship
Essex welcomed Kent to Chelmsford again two days later for a Specsavers County Championship clash.
Chris Silverwood’s men were rampant from the get go and skittled the visitors for 207 before scoring 569 themselves.
That was even without anyone scoring a hundred as Ravi Bopara top-scored with 94.
Kent then scored 370 in response thanks to an incredible partnership from Sam Northeast and James Tredwell. Northeast scored 166 and Tredwell 124 but it only gave them a lead of eight and Essex knocked the runs off without trouble.
Hampshire v Essex Eagles | NatWest T20 Blast
The Eagles returned to NatWest T20 Blast action in what was an epic encounter at the Ageas Bowl.
Essex batted first and scored 153 for 6 with Ashar Zaidi continuing his excellent form with 47 and Hampshire ended their response three runs shy.
James Vince could not see his side over the line scoring 62 but getting out at a critical stage as Hampshire buckled under pressure.
Gloucestershire v Essex | Specsavers County Championship
Essex slumped to a disappointing loss at Cheltenham which halted Chris Silverwood’s side title surge.
Gloucestershire scored 255 in their first innings before Essex gained a lead and scored 333 with Dan Lawrence scoring 127.
It was in the second innings where Essex faltered as Gareth Roderick scored 102 to help Gloucestershire to 290 before Essex slumped to 151 all out.
Gloucestershire v Essex Eagles | NatWest T20 Blast
The Cheltenham curse continued as Essex suffered a comprehensive defeat to Gloucestershire in the NatWest T20 Blast.
Michael Klinger continued his rich vein of form against the Essex seamers scoring 95 not out while Ian Cockbain contributed with 69 as the hosts posted 212 off their 20 overs.
Essex gave it a good go in response but nobody contributed with a score of significance like Klinger and Essex fell short on 182 for 9.
Essex Eagles v Sussex Sharks | NatWest T20 Blast
Essex were back in action a week later hosing Sussex Sharks at The E.C.G. The sell-out crowd went home disappointed though as Sussex won by 24 runs.
A late onslaught from Chris Jordan and Craig Cachopa led Sussex to a target of 200 which would prove too stiff a task for Essex.
No one could get going for The Eagles as Ravi Bopara top-scored with 32.
Kent Spitfires v Essex Eagles | NatWest T20 Blast
The Eagles travelled to Canterbury for another Battle of the Bridge clash and ran out comprehensive winners once again.
After setting Kent a target of 190 largely thanks to 74 from Tom Westley and 51 from Ravi Bopara they could only stutter to 157 all out.
Darren Stevens top scored for Kent with 33 as Graham Napier took three wickets to clinch victory.
Essex Eagles v Surrey | Royal London One-Day Cup
Essex slipped to their first Royal London One-Day Cup defeat of the season against Surrey as the visitors set a mammoth task of 313.
Jason Roy and Aaron Finch put on 94 for the first wicket before Steve Davies scored 82 and Rory Burns 52 as Surrey set a formidable total.
Jesse Ryder scored a majestic 131 for Essex in response but nobody else could reach 50 as Essex slipped to a 66 run loss.
Essex Eagles v Glamorgan | Royal London One-Day Cup
Chris Silverwood’s team continued their fine form in the Royal London One-Day Cup by chasing down a stiff target of 324.
Glamorgan’s total was largely thanks to 107 from Colin Ingram and 62 from David Lloyd.
Essex responded in superb fashion as 99 from Nick Browne formed the bed rock of The Eagles successful chase. Ravi Bopara contributed 59 while Jesse Ryder scored 50 as Essex reached their target with five balls to spare.
Middlesex v Essex Eagles | NatWest T20 Blast
Lord’s played host to one of the cricketing summers finest evenings as Ashar Zaidi continued his excellent form with a stunning 59 off 24 balls to win Essex the game.
Middlesex had set a target of 126 from their reduced 16 overs largely thanks to 68 not out from captain Dawid Malan.
Essex faltered in response and the game looked beyond their reach before Zaidi came to the crease and turned the spectacle on its head. Dan Lawrence also contributed 36 as The Eagles won by five wickets.
Middlesex v Essex Eagles | Royal London One-Day Cup
Essex fell agonisingly short of another Royal London One-Day Cup victory as Middlesex ran out four run winners.
James Franklin scored 55 and Sam Robson 41 as Middlesex set a target of 219 on a slow, low wicket at Lord’s.
Nick Browne led The Eagles response with 79 but no one else could support him as Essex finished four runs shy for the loss of nine wickets.
Members of the Essex first-team squad visited the Phoenix Ward at Broomfield Hospital on Monday spreading the Christmas spirit.
First-team players in attendance included, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater, Jamie Porter, Matt Quinn and Nick Browne, whilst Eddie the Eagle also made quite the impression with the children.
All children received an Essex Cricket branded toy and had the opportunity to hold the Division Two Champions trophy!
Families also had chance to ask questions and share their experiences of Christmas with members of the first-team squad.
Photo opportunities were available, with the players proving just as popular with the parents as the children.
Everyone at Essex County Cricket Club wishes all our members’ and supporters around the world a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
