Whether it is about putting something back into the game you love, continuing your career in a natural progression, helping out at your local club, or simply providing more support to your child, there is a reason for everyone to get involved in coaching.
The ECB runs a National Coaching Scheme, which is designed to equip coaches with the necessary skills to deliver high-quality coaching programmes. For further information go to: www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/coaching
The Coach Development section of the website provides up to date information about Coaching and Coach Education courses taking place within Essex. Using the menu above, you will find information regarding:
Coach Education plays a vital role in the overall development of cricket within Essex and Essex Cricket in the Community is committed to delivering a top-class experience for all candidates with the aim of inspiring the coaches that we train to pass on a love of the game to the youngsters that will last a lifetime.
We run courses and coach education workshops each year, to expand and improve our coaching base.
Essex bowler, Jack Plom has departed the Club following the end of his contract.
Plom came through the Essex Academy and featured eight times for England Under 19s before being named in the Essex First Team against Cambridge MCCU in 2018.
The 23-year-old’s breakthrough season came in 2020 when he made five T20 appearances, taking seven wickets.
The 2021 campaign was an opportunity for Plom to make his mark for the Eagles across both white-ball formats and went on to play eight Vitality Blast and five Royal London Cup games, including the semi-final against Glamorgan.
Head Coach Anthony McGrath said: “It is never easy deciding to let a player leave, especially when they are one of our own who has worked their way through the Academy.
“Jack has struggled with injuries this season and has found his opportunities limited with the wealth of young bowlers coming through our pathway system.
“We wish Jack well for his future.”
Everyone at Essex Cricket would like to thank Jack for his contribution throughout his time with the Club and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
Join proceedings from wherever you are and enjoy a review of the season hosted by Simon Ward and Graham Gooch including interviews with players, coaches and Essex Cricket in the Community staff.
Stay tuned until the end of the night to see how the End of Season Awards are distributed, including the Players of the Year from all Essex sides.
Award Winners:
Second XI Player of the Year: Robin Das
Allen Ford Ability Young Player of the Year: Jack Flowers
East London Hub Player of the Year: Abid Zadran
Community Award: Brian Tunney
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Hollie Dring-Richardson
Over 50’s Player of the Year: Giles Ecclestone
Development Team Player of the Year: Bilal Kamal
Seniors Team Player of the Year: Kevin Grant
Academy Player of the Year: Noah Thain
First XI Young Player of the Year: Jamal Richards
Bowler of the Year: Sam Cook
Batter of the Year: Alastair Cook
Performance of the Year: Shane Snater
Woodland Group Eagles Player of the Year: Michael Pepper
Players’ Player of the Year: Shane Snater
Allen Ford Ability Player of the Year: Isaac Elles
MidexPro Women’s Player of the Year: Tilly Callaghan
The County Ground, Northampton, Monday 26 – Thursday 29 September
Team News:
Essex: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley (c), Dan Lawrence, Feroze Khushi, Matt Critchley, Micahel Pepper (wk), Shane Snater, Simon Harmer, Ben Allison, Sam Cook.
Northamptonshire: Will Young (c), Emilio Gay, Ricardo Vasconcelos (wk), Luke Proctor, Rob Keogh, Saif Zaib, James Sales, Tom Taylor, Gareth Berg, Ben Sanderson, Jack White.
Match Details:
Umpires: Peter Hartley & Steve O’Shaughnessy Match Referee: Alec Swann Toss: Northamptonshire, who elected to field Result: Essex won by 47 runs
Simon Harmer claimed 6/49 to spin Essex to a 47-run victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road and finish as the leading wicket-taker in this year’s LV= Insurance County Championship Division One.
Harmer extracted prodigious turn to run through Northamptonshire’s middle and lower order after Sam Cook set up the win with three wickets in two overs to shatter Northamptonshire’s hopes of chasing 211.
A breezy 30 from Ricardo Vasconcelos boosted the hopes of the home fans before six wickets fell for 29 runs. Despite a belligerent 39 from Gareth Berg, Northamptonshire’s highest individual score in the match, the hosts were bowled out for 163, meaning they finish in sixth place in the Championship – their highest in 27 years.
Harmer finished with 59 wickets for the season, one ahead of Kyle Abbott of Hampshire while Cook passed 50 wickets for the season at an average of just 16.1.
The result meant Jack White’s heroic career-best bowling figures were in vain. White took 6/38 to skittle Essex for 110 as the visitors lost their last five wickets for 47 runs in the morning session and set up a tantalising run chase.
Essex had resumed on 63-5 in the morning, in perfect overcast bowling conditions with White taking full advantage and obtaining plenty of movement outside off-stump.
He struck early when Michael Pepper edged a low catch to Emilio Gay at second slip and Gay was in action again when Harmer (16), who had played a few lusty blows, edged White into the cordon.
White claimed his second career 5-wicket haul when he trapped Shane Snater lbw and then recorded achieved his best ever figures when the ball flew once more to Gay who took a tumbling catch to dismiss Matt Critchley (20). White’s figures eclipsed his previous best of five for 14 achieved against Lancashire in July. Tom Taylor then wrapped things up when he nipped in to claim the wicket of Cook.
In the run chase, Snater and Cook bowled a probing spell with the new ball before lunch, making an early breakthrough when Emilio Gay prodded at one outside off-stump from Snater and edged behind.
Vasconcelos got off the mark with a streaky four down to third but found the boundary off consecutive balls from Snater in the over before lunch including a glorious drive through the covers.
Northamptonshire began the afternoon session with a flurry of boundaries with Vasconcelos crunching the ball through extra cover and finding the ropes three times in one expensive over from Cook. Skipper
Will Young too was soon into his work and greeted Harmer by hitting him over his head for another boundary. Harmer had his revenge later in the over though when he got one to turn sharply out of the rough. Young shaped to pad it up only for the ball to spin past his legs and smash into leg stump.
That wicket sparked a Northants collapse. Vasconcelos attempted to pull Cook but the ball did not bounce as much as he expected and hit the top of his off-stump. Rob Keogh left Cook’s next delivery which nipped back and trapped him lbw. Northamptonshire had lost three wickets in four balls.
Wickets continued to fall with Cook striking again in his next over when Luke Procter edged behind to leave Northamptonshire’s run chase hopes in tatters.
James Sales was the next to go when the rampant Harmer trapped him lbw. Saif Zaib struck three boundaries before he was next to go, leaving a ball from Harmer which spun back and hit the stumps with the Steelbacks reeling on 93-7.
Gareth Berg took the offensive approach, striking Harmer through the covers for two boundaries and hitting a six all off one over and continued to take the attack to the spinner as he was joined in a partnership of 49 with Taylor who also looked to be positive during his 26. Taylor eventually departed after coming down the wicket to Harmer and giving Nick Browne an easy catch at short-leg.
Berg then fell in a similar fashion with Browne taking an excellent diving catch before White was the last batter to go, trapped lbw by Harmer to finish with six victims in the innings.
While Essex were already guaranteed 4th place in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship, this meant they finished with seven wins and with a 44-point clearance from 5th place Kent.
Day Three Highlights:
Day Three Reaction: Ben Allison
Day Three Report:
Ben Sanderson and Jack White removed Essex’s top order to bowl their side back into contention at the end of the third day of this LV= County Championship clash at Wantage Road.
Sanderson struck twice early in Essex’s second innings to account for Sir Alastair Cook and Tom Westley in consecutive maiden overs. White also picked up a wicket in successive overs to reduce the Eagles to 52 for five and snatch back the momentum after the hosts had conceded a first innings deficit of exactly 100.
Earlier Essex seamer Ben Allison returned career-best bowling figures of five wickets for 32 as Northamptonshire were bundled out for 163. Allison’s maiden five-wicket haul followed his heroics with the bat yesterday when he registered his highest score of 69 not out. With Shane Snater also taking two scalps, Northamptonshire lost their last five wickets for 16 runs.
When bad light prompted an early finish Essex were 63 for five, a lead of 163, which sets up an intriguing final day tomorrow.
In the morning session, Will Young (37) and Luke Procter made a solid start extending their overnight partnership to 39, before Allison found some extra bounce to take Young’s glove with keeper Michael Pepper taking the catch.
Rob Keogh started brightly, playing a conventional sweep and reverse sweep off Simon Harmer for consecutive boundaries before the South African spinner spun one back to hit the stumps.
Procter cut Allison crisply for a boundary and had advanced to 28 when he played down the on-side to the same bowler and was well caught low down at leg slip by Matt Critchley.
Saif Zaib (18) played some attacking shots either side of lunch including a backfoot punch off Allison for four and a blow over extra cover off Harmer. But after driving Snater through cover to the ropes, he edged Snater’s next delivery to Harmer at second slip.
It precipitated a lower order collapse as Northamptonshire fell from 147 for five to 163 all out. Two balls after Zaib’s wicket, Tom Taylor edged a well-directed short ball from Snater through to Pepper.
Allison was back in the action with some sharp work in the field to run out Gareth Berg before angling one back into castle Ben Sanderson.
James Sales struck four boundaries in his 28 to ensure Northamptonshire passed 150. He had an early reprieve when Harmer put him down at second slip, taking a blow to his spinning fingers in the process and requiring attention from the Essex physio. However, the young all-rounder eventually became Allison’s fifth victim when he edged to Cook at slip.
With the bat, Cook (10) offered two chances to the slips on 0 and 2 but both were missed by Emilio Gay and Young. He was out shortly afterwards when he drilled Sanderson straight to Taylor at cover. It meant he missed out by 34 runs on 1,000 for the season. In his next over Sanderson trapped Tom Westey lbw to leave Essex 23 for two
Nick Browne (18) looked solid throughout a lengthy stay at the crease, but after facing 63 balls Taylor got one to jag back and knock over his middle stump.
Dan Lawrence walked to the crease on a king pair and played and missed to his first ball from Sanderson. He looked skittish early on but started to settle, taking consecutive boundaries off Berg. His downfall came thanks to an ugly looking cut shot off White which flew to Emilio Gay who took a stunning diving catch at second slip.
White struck again in his next over when he got one to jag back and knock over Feroze Khushi’s stumps, but Matt Critchley, who played some pleasant shots including a drive straight down the ground off Taylor, was unbeaten on 14 at stumps.
On a day of presentations, Luke Procter was named player of the year by the Northamptonshire Supporters’ Club and presented with his award at lunch. He has so far scored 959 runs at an average of 56.41 this season with one innings left to bat in this match.
Day Two Highlights:
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Day Two Report:
Ben Allison made his mark with bat and ball on a badly rain-affected second day between Northamptonshire and Essex at Wantage Road.
Only 29 overs were possible, but Essex seamer Allison made the most of them, turning his overnight 37 not out into a career-best 69 not out before the visitors were finally bowled out for 263, Tom Taylor taking four for 59.
The tail-ender’s latest batting escapade means he now has the remarkable stat of making more 50s (three) than single figure scores in his short first-class career to date.
Allison and Sam Cook then struck early blows with the new ball as Northamptonshire struggled to 32-2 in bowler-friendly conditions before bad light called a halt.
Overnight and morning rain delayed the start until 2:30pm but just six balls were bowled before another heavy shower drove the players off once more.
When they returned, 26 more were bowled which proved enough to see the end of Tom Westley, who chopped on to give Taylor his fourth scalp of the innings. The Essex skipper’s ninth-wicket stand with Allison had realised 72.
Allison on 46 at the time of the second interruption soon passed 50 courtesy of his seventh four and his career-best soon followed as a last-wicket stand with Sam Cook raised 39 before the latter was castled by Jack White.
Cook didn’t take long to make a breakthrough ball in hand. His first delivery saw Emilio Gay edge just short of point, the ball running away for two runs. The left-hander’s reprieve was brief however as Cook’s next ball trapped him plumb in front.
New batter Ricardo Vasconcelos endured a torrid stay. Struck painful blows not once but twice by Cook, he was undone by the arrival in the attack of Allison who bowled him from with he tried to leave, but which ricochet into his stumps.
Will Young and Luke Procter prevented any further breakthroughs before the murky light closed in.
Day One Highlights:
Day One Report:
A captain’s knock of 55 from Tom Westley helped keep Essex in the contest after the Northamptonshire seamers ran through Essex’s middle-order on a rain-affected opening day of this LV= Insurance County Championship clash at Wantage Road.
Tom Westley shared a ninth wicket stand of 68 in 20 overs with Ben Allison (37) to see Essex recover to 220-8 at the end of an enthralling day.
Earlier Ben Sanderson struck twice in two balls to arrest a lightning Essex start to the day which saw Nick Browne and Alastair Cook plunder 68 runs off of the first 13 overs.
But when Cook fell for 31, it precipitated the first mini-collapse of the day as four wickets went down in 45 balls, two of them to Sanderson with Essex going into lunch on 107 for four.
Rain prevented any play in the afternoon session and when it resumed after tea, Westley and Feroze Khushi looked fluent as they rebuilt in a stand of 47. However, Khushi’s wicket triggered the second Essex collapse of the day, losing four wickets for nine runs in 32 balls. Tom Taylor picked up three wickets before Westley and Allison made sure honours were even at close of play.
In the morning, Northamptonshire’s decision to insert Essex after winning the toss looked like an error as Essex’s opening pair of Browne and Cook unfurled a string of boundaries.
Cook found the ropes three times in Jack White’s fifth over, playing some trademark backfoot punches and cuts. Browne then hit a trio of boundaries of his own off Tom Taylor’s first over, driving sweetly through the covers – at one point 35 runs had come from just three overs.
Both batters had moments of luck though when Emilio Gay shelled two chances at second slip denying Gareth Berg a pair of wickets.
Taylor accounted for Cook when he got one to nip back and hit the stumps. The former England captain now needs 44 in the second innings to reach 1,000 runs for the season.
Sanderson’s return to the attack soon reaped dividends when Browne chipped to midwicket and Dan Lawrence was bowled by a ball that nipped back through the gate. Gay could finally breathe a sigh of relief when he pouched a chance offered by Critchley who edged to the slips to give White his first wicket.
In the evening session, Khushi, who hit 118 against Northamptonshire in the Royal London Cup last month, looked to pick up where he had left off, driving pleasantly through extra cover and down the ground. His departure for 26, when he edged Taylor behind to keeper Ricardo Vasconcelos, sparked a further string of wickets.
Michael Pepper was next to go when he played an extravagant shot to Berg which flew at a comfortable height to Will Young at first slip. Next, Simon Harmer pushed at one from Taylor and was caught behind by Vasconcelos before White got one to nip back and castle Shane Snater to leave Essex reeling at 152 for eight.
Westley though was in a defiant mood, reaching his half-century off 122 balls and finding a willing partner in Allison. The Essex skipper struck six boundaries, slapping White through cover and whipping Sanderson and Berg through midwicket.
Allison had a reprieve on 17 when he hooked Berg and was dropped in the deep by Sanderson but he and Westley have given Essex renewed hope after it seemed they would be bowled out well short of 200.
During the lunch break of Essex’s final home game of the season against Lancashire, Shane Snater became the 165th player to be awarded their County Cap.
Shane has become an integral part of the First Team and has had an incredible season with both bat and ball, which has seen him take 27 wickets and score 455 runs in first-class cricket.
This has included match-winning and match-saving innings across the season with games against Yorkshire, Lancashire and Hampshire coming to mind.
Snater has passed fifty on four occasions this season with his match-saving innings against Yorkshire being the highlight for fans. This saw Shane score an unbeaten 65 after coming in with the score 64-6 with Essex requiring 161 to win. Shane batted with the bludgeoned ten boundaries on his way to carrying the side home by 1 wicket.
As well as this, the Dutchman hit unbeaten 70s in back-to-back Championship games against Lancashire and Hampshire, with both innings setting up competitive first innings totals in memorable wins.
Snater made his debut for Essex in May 2018 against Hampshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup and has since taken 116 wickets across all formats with best bowling figures of 7/98, which came against Nottinghamshire last year.
Recently, Shane took career best-match figures of 8/28 which involved his seventh five-wicket haul for Essex recently against Lancashire.
Listen to what receiving his County Cap means to Shane, when he spoke to Essex Cricket TV.
A warm welcome to the Essex Cricket Conference & Events page.
Situated in the heart of Chelmsford City Centre, we are based at the home of Essex Cricket, The Cloud County Ground on New Writtle Street.
We offer a wide range of services to help you host the perfect event for your friends, family or colleagues.
If you already have an idea in mind, please get in touch with our friendly team today on 01245 254063 or email [email protected]
Room Hire
Host a wonderful event in one of our incredible rooms available to hire. Choose one with features to suit you and your guests, including bar facilities, table services & the option to add a DJ.
Create your dream banquet with Essex Cricket. Our spectacular in-house catering service is fully-equipped to provide you and your guests with a delicious, bespoke meal, designed to your taste. We will work closely with you to achieve your perfect menu and will always take any allergies into consideration.
Enquire today.
Conferences & Meetings
Host your next meeting in style with Essex Cricket. Choose from our incredible selection of refreshments and start your day with tea and coffee on arrival with a choice of warm pastries. We offer 5 free parking spaces, with the option to add more for an additional fee.
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Parties
Celebrate your birthday, anniversary or retirement in the perfect location! With easy access to Chelmsford City Centre, after enjoying your tailored cuisine, you can party late into the night.
Enquire today.
Christmas Parties
Feel the magic of Christmas with Essex Cricket. Celebrate the festive season with your colleagues, family or friends throughout December. Book a shared party night from just £40! Or book a private party on a date of your choice.
Our shared party nights are available on the following dates:
Take your guests to a venue they weren’t expecting! Host your wedding reception/party with Essex Cricket.
The Cloud County Ground boasts fabulous views of a pitch played on by Cricketing Legends, including Graham Gooch OBE and Sir Alastair Cook. With a wide of catering options and entertainment, we guarantee to provide you and your guests with memories that will last a lifetime.
Enquire today.
Life Celebrations
The Cloud County Ground is a perfect venue to celebrate the life of your loved one. We will give you all the time you need to choose a suitable date and time. Our catering team have a brilliant selection of snacks and small plates to serve to your guests. If your loved one was a cricket fan, there really is no better venue.
Enquire today.
We can host your event at a time that suits you best. Typically, events can start as early as 8am.
Any evening event must finish by 12am in accordance with our licence.
We kindly ask that you vacate the premises by 12:30am at the latest and respect our neighbours as you leave. Thank you.
General Information
All guests may be picked up or dropped off for free (30 minutes maximum).
We usually offer 5 free parking spaces for conferencing events and 10 free parking spaces for parties.
If you would like to offer all of your guests complimentary parking, this can be arranged. We will include this cost as part of your booking. Please note, we will require the licence plate number of each vehicle intending to park with us in good time. Call our team on 01245 254063 to discuss further.
The Club will be hosting the next Members’ Forum on Tuesday 13 September at 6:30pm in the Doug Insole Pavilion.
Chief Executive and Interim Chair, John Stephenson and Interim Duputy Chair, Simon Cooper will be on the panel for an opportunity to hear the latest information regarding the High Performance Review.
The Forum will be exclusively for 2022 Members and is available to attend either in person or via the zoom conferencing platform.
Attendees are invited to submit questions in advance by midday on Tuesday 13 September to [email protected].
We hope Members are able to join us and all Members with a valid email address on their account will receive an email from the Club with an exclusive link. We advise checking your online Membership account if you have recently changed your details.
The Spitfire Ground, Monday 05 – Thursday 08 September
Team News:
Essex: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley (c), Dan Lawrence, Feroze Khushi, Matt Critchley, Adam Rossington (wk), Shane Snater, Ben Allison, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter.
Kent: Ben Compton, Ollie Robinson, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Jack Leaning, Jordan Cox, Sam Billings (c & wk), Grant Stewart, Matt Milnes, Harry Podmore, Matt Quinn.
Match Details:
Umpires: Mike Burns & Ben Debenham Match Referee: Dean Cosker Result: Essex won by an innings & 260 runs
Essex comprehensively defeated Kent by an innings and 260 runs on day four of the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Canterbury.
Tom Westley’s team needed just 4.4 overs to claim the remaining two wickets on the final day and claim 23 points after bowling Kent out for 149.
Sam Cook took 10/60 in the match, including 7/33 in the second innings, while Jamie Porter claimed 3/50.
Jordan Cox was Kent’s top scorer with 65, but the result leaves in the hosts in deep relegation mire, having taken just a single point.
Torrential rain delayed the start until 12:38pm, with Kent resuming on 137-8 in their second innings, needing 272 runs to make Essex bat again.
In reality, with Milnes’ mobility drastically reduced due to a stress fracture in his back, Kent’s only hope of escaping with a draw was to bat for as long as possible and hope the rain returned.
Milnes, in what may be his final act as a Kent player before he moves to Yorkshire next season, lasted three overs before getting a bottom edge to Cook that was taken by a tumbling Nick Browne.
Although dark clouds were hovering, the rain stayed away and the victory was sealed when Cox edged Porter and fell to a juggling catch by Matt Critchley in the slips.
Day Three Highlights:
Day Three Report:
Kent batters will be sick of the sight of Ben Allison and Sam Cook, who tormented them on a day where 16 Kent wickets fell and Essex came unbearably close to completing a victory inside three days at Canterbury.
Each of the seamers came into the day in high spirits after striking their highest first-class scores in Essex’s first innings and Allison would have more to cheer about before the Lunch break, picking up 4/31 in the session on the way to another career-best.
Beginning the day on 74-4 and trailing by 499 runs, Kent were in desperate need of a wicketless session. Cook put those hopes to bed when he had Leaning caught by yesterday’s hero Khushi at mid-wicket.
From that point onwards, every other wicket to fall in the morning session went to Allison. The tall fast-bowler produced an unerringly accurate spell using his height and the width of the crease to angle the ball into the Kent batters and finding late movement away.
This proved too much for Sam Billings, who batted with a runner but was clearly hampered by injury, Grant Stewart and Harry Podmore, all of whom offered catches of varying difficulty to Adam Rossington behind the stumps.
Allison then found some extra bounce from a pitch that had extra zest after intermittent bouts of rain. Jordan Cox, Kent’s joint highest scorer with 34, was stuck on his crease as the Allison delivery lifted into the underside of his elbow and then down onto the off stump to give the bowler his fourth wicket.
Rain intervened to bring an early Lunch, but it was barely a relief to Kent who were on 145-9 and still miles behind.
Shane Snater wrapped the innings up shortly after Lunch by removing two of Matt Quinn’s stumps, leaving Matt Milnes, the second of Kent’s batters to require a runner after picking up a back injury, stranded and the innings wrapped up for 164.
With a sketchy forecast, it was no surprise that Essex enforced the follow-on and opted to attempt to wrap up proceedings as soon as possible.
The Kent opening pair survived the first five overs with few scares, however, one ball later Cook drew Ollie Robinson forward and took the edge to get the breakthrough. When he repeated the trick later in the same over to remove Daniel Bell-Drummond, Kent were 23-2 and Rossington had catch number seven of the match, two short of equalling Essex’s record.
In Cook’s next over he took two further wickets, this time in consecutive balls as Ben Compton and Jack Leaning edged to Critchley at second slip. Cook was agonisingly short of completing hattrick as Joe Denly edged his next delivery inches short of Matt Critchley’s open hands.
Denly was, however, eventually Cook’s man as the bowler pulled his length back and Denly miscued an attempted pull to a grateful Nick Browne. When the same bowler and fielder combined to dismiss Stewart, Kent were 68-6 and Cook had the ridiculous figures of 6/20.
Despite resistance from Cox and Podmore, Kent’s battle was now surely a losing one and when Porter was reintroduced into the attack he duly ripped out Podmore’s off stump.
At 105-7 and the evening session now well underway, Billings hobbled to the crease with a runner for the second time in one day, surely hoping that if they could see out the day then the weather will do the rest.
That wasn’t to transpire as he picked up an unfortunate same-day pair when he chipped Porter to Essex’s skipper Tom Westley at mid-off. Cue the rather unusual scene of a batter walking off while their runner stays in the middle waiting for the incoming batter to meet them. Milnes it was who still required assistance after sustaining a back injury on Day One.
Despite Milnes clearly struggling to get underneath numerous Snater bouncers, he was able to offer enough resistance to see Cox through to an excellent fifty and to take the game into the extra half hour.
More dogged defence from the pair frustrated the Essex bowlers as Kent finished the day 137-8. All eyes will be on the sky tomorrow as Kent’s season-defining month looks set to start needing a gift from the heavens.
Day Two Highlights:
Day Two Report:
Feroze Khushi’s 164 was the highlight of Day Two in the LV= Insurance County Championship at Canterbury, where Essex posted 573 before reducing Kent to 74-4 in reply as bad light brought proceedings to an early close.
Khushi resumed play on 46 and brought up his half-century off the first ball of the day, striking a Grant Stewart delivery through mid-wicket for four. A classy maiden first-class century arrived for the 23-year-old in his third Championship match and it came from 228 balls and included two sixes and 18 fours.
He was duly supported by an impressive knock of 90 from Matt Critchley who was soon the victim of a Kent breakthrough when Daniel Bell-Drummond had him caught behind by Ollie Robinson, who was keeping wicket because Sam Billings suffered a groin injury on Day One.
Bell-Drummond, who was bowling because Milnes was struggling with a back issue, then removed Adam Rossington, who was caught at cow corner by sub-fielder Hamid Qadri for 6.
Shane Snater soon followed after being caught by Matt Quinn for 11 off the bowling of Harry Podmore, but Essex were able to regroup and advance to 408-7 at lunch. A total of four batting bonus points were secured for surpassing the 350-mark inside 110 overs.
Khushi reached three figures 40 minutes after the restart, cutting Joe Denly to backward point and leaping in the air as he completed the single and marked another landmark moment in his short career.
As Essex went through the gears, Allison reached 50 with a straight driven four off Denly, but after passing his previous highest first-class score of 52, he was then out to the former England man after being bowled for 53.
Khushi took Essex past 500 by hitting Denly back over his head for six and rapidly put on 69 for the ninth wicket partnership with Sam Cook, who made 38 before he holed out to Denly and was caught on the boundary by the sub, Joey Evison.
The innings finally ended when Khushi miscued a drive off Podmore and was caught by Jack Leaning, who held the catch despite a collision with the inrushing Stewart.
The final Essex wicket brought the lunch break but soon after, Essex were able to pile on more misery to their rivals. Kent’s reply began with Ben Compton’s leg stump sent flying as Jamie Porter bowled him behind his legs for just 2. A questionable hook shot by Ollie Robinson soon left Kent two wickets down after he cracked Porter to Allison at point to depart for 14.
Daniel Bell-Drummond fell to a smart one-handed catch by Rossington off Sam Cook for 18 with Denly hanging around for 45 balls before Cook got his second of the evening session as Rossington caught him behind for 11.
Play was halted officially at 5:27pm due to bad light with six overs remaining, to the audible relief of the home supporters with Jack Leaning (19) and Jordan Cox (1) the not out batters.
Porter and Cook finished the day with two wickets apiece and figures of 2/30 and 2/14, respectively.
One notable absentee from Canterbury was Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath who was at the birth of his son. Everyone at the Club would like to congratulate Mags and his partner, Jane on the arrival of their second child and the newest member in the Essex Cricket family.
Day One Highlights:
Day One Report:
Essex are in the ascendancy at Canterbury after reaching 327 for four at Stumps on Day One of their LV= Insurance County Championship fixture against Kent.
Matt Critchley took advantage of being given a life on six to finish the day not out on 80 after Alastair Cook and Tom Westley had made half-centuries earlier in proceedings.
Despite winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Kent’s bowlers struggled to consistently challenge the bat on a slow pitch and too often they gave the Essex batters chances to score, which they accepted gratefully.
When these two sides last met in red-ball cricket, Cook and Browne posted in excess of 200 for the opening wicket, they had to be content with a century opening stand this time around as, on 45, Browne offered a return catch to Matt Quinn.
The opening pair had looked relatively untroubled up until that point, with the only two moments of discomfort being edges that dropped short of the slips as the slow pitch thwarted Kent even in overcast and humid conditions.
Tom Westley joined Cook and picked up where the opening pair had left off, striking 10 boundaries in his 50 and continuing his good form from the Royal London Cup.
Cook had looked in fine touch, but to his disgust edged a Grant Stewart delivery to the right of first slip where Ollie Robinson took a wonderful catch.
Dan Lawrence fell soon after as he struggled to settle at the crease and when Westley was run out for 54 going for a third run, Essex had been reduced to 221-4 and Kent felt back in the game.
That feeling was to be short-lived, however, as Critchley played fluently and, after a watchful start, Feroze Khushi demonstrated his stroke-playing ability to race to 46 from 65 balls at the close.
There was more to worry about for Kent as wicketkeeper Sam Billings was forced off the field with an injury and Ollie Robinson had to take over work with the gloves. Kent will be keeping everything crossed that Billings is able to make a recovery as, with Essex well-placed in their first innings, his ability with bat in hand will be priceless to the hosts.
Sussex: Phoebe Wilkinson, Regina Suddahazai, Mary Taylor, Emily Spooner, Millie Taylor, Maya Champion, Matilda Collins, Maisie Taylor, Asha Hinley, Tia Joseph, Sara Sadiq.
Match Details:
Toss: Sussex won the toss and elected to bat Result: Essex won by 5 wickets – Essex 115/5 (23.0 overs), Sussex 114 (29.1 overs)
Essex Women’s talented Under 18s reached the semi-finals of the Girls U18 County Cup following a five-wicket victory over their Sussex counterparts at Hutton Cricket Club.
Jessica Olorenshaw top-scored for the home side, finishing unbeaten on 45 from 36 balls. Her innings included seven 4s and one 6s. Millie Taylor proved to be the pick of the Sussex attack, returning impressive figures of four for 20 from eight overs.
Earlier, Sussex’s Mary Taylor hit a quickfire 46 off 23 balls. Essex deployed eight bowlers, with Akshadha Nikam claiming 3/13 from 5.1 overs, while Prisha Bedi impressed with 2/21 as the visitors were restricted to 114.
The England Men’s U19 selectors have named a 13-player squad for the first of their two LV= Insurance U19 Tests against Sri Lanka U19, starting on Sunday at The Cloud County Ground.
Entry for the match at Chelmsford is free on all four days with play beginning at 11am. Gates will be open from 10am with the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Stand open for all spectators.
Durham’s Ben McKinney has been appointed as captain for the four-day fixture at the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford.
Squad:
Ben McKinney (Durham – captain), Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire), George Bell (Lancashire), Tommy Boorman (Gloucestershire), Ben Cliff (Yorkshire), Bertie Foreman (Sussex), Alex Horton (Glamorgan), Matthew Hurst (Lancashire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Dominic Kelly (Hampshire), Ben Parker (Worcestershire), Harry Singh (Lancashire), Ross Whitfield (Durham)
In consultation with their respective teams, 14 players in contention for England Men’s U19 selection will continue to participate in domestic cricket to keep gaining valuable first-team experience.
This includes some of the players who featured in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup squad earlier this year, including Rehan Ahmed (Southern Brave/Leicestershire), Sonny Baker (Southern Brave/Somerset), James Rew (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Welsh Fire/Warwickshire), James Coles (Sussex), Will Luxton (Yorkshire), Tom Prest (Hampshire), James Sales (Northamptonshire) and Fateh Singh (Nottinghamshire).
ECB’s Elite Performance Pathway Coach, Richard Dawson, said: “We’re really looking forward to this series and seeing how a wide range of the best young men’s players in this country adapt to the challenge and opportunity of international age-group cricket.
“Already this season it’s been encouraging to see a number of the guys from our World Cup squad earning regular selection for their counties and making some significant contributions.
“The key for us when selecting a squad is working out with the counties what’s best for each individual player, and for the first Test match – in a number of cases – we agreed that it was best for them to continue playing domestic cricket.
“That removes some experience from our squad, but it also increases the challenge and opportunity for the guys who have been selected.”
The selectors will name a squad for the second LV= Insurance Test ahead of that match, which begins on 28 August at the Incora County Ground in Derby, before naming a squad for the three-match Royal London U19s Series.
Earlier this week, the squad defeated an Ireland Academy side by three wickets in a three-day match at Loughborough University as part of their preparation for the Sri Lanka series.
England Men’s U19 Summer Fixtures: Sunday 21 – Wednesday 24 August: First LV= Insurance U19 Test – England U19 v Sri Lanka U19; Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Sunday 28 – Wednesday 31 August: Second LV= Insurance U19 Test – England U19 v Sri Lanka U19; Incora County Ground, Derby.
Monday 5 September: First Royal London U19 International – England U19 v Sri Lanka U19; New Road, Worcester.
Thursday 8 September: Second Royal London U19 International – England U19 v Sri Lanka U19; New Road, Worcester.
Saturday 10 September: Third Royal London U19 International – England U19 v Sri Lanka U19; Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester.
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