The Essex Falcons Ability team will play in the D40 Pursuit National Final at Collingham and District Cricket Club in Newark-on-Trent on Sunday at 1pm.
The unbeaten Falcons topped the competition’s South Group, seeing off Middlesex, Surrey, Northamptonshire, and Hampshire/Dorset, and will now face Wales, winners of the North Group, for the chance to be national champions.
Having originally been set up as a development side, the team are into their fifth year and are now firmly established in the D40 Pursuit League.
Team Manager Pat Ward said, “This is a great occasion for the team and shows how far they have come in a short space of time. This year the team have been fantastic, always putting in 100% and able to take on any challenge put to them.
“It’s been a great team performance with some top class bowling and strong fielding being the key that has got us to the final. Hopefully we can keep it going and finish the season on a high, but either way the players can be proud of what they have achieved this year.”
There are two other Essex Ability teams playing in the ECB Disability County Championship, with the Hawks part of the D40 Quest League and the Kestrels plying their trade in the Super 9s League.
The Kestrels narrowly finished second to the Isle of Wight after their final match on the 20 August at Northwood CC, while the Hawks took sixth position in their division, in between Hampshire and Surrey.
For more information on disability cricket please contact Pat Ward on [email protected].
Thank you to our long-standing partners Allen Ford for their continued support of the Essex Ability Team and kindly providing a mini-bus for team travel to away fixtures this season.
Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Thain have all been named in a 13-player England Men Under-19s squad for this month’s two Youth Tests against Australia.
Allison is included after a breakout Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign that saw him post 254 runs at an average of 36.28 with a top score of 85.
Fellow 18-year-old Thain hit 159 runs at 39.75 with a best of 75* in the same competition alongside making his first-class debut against Ireland in May.
He also participated in England Under-19s’ recent Youth ODI series against Australia, contributing 84 runs with the bat and four wickets with the ball.
Thain was joined in that squad by Benkenstein, 19, who returned from injury midway through the Eagles’ recent One Day Cup campaign and has a List A bowling average of 17.90
The squad will be captained by Durham’s Ben McKinney, who also one of four players retained from the squad that drew 1-1 with Australia U19s in two Youth Tests during the winter.
McKinney’s fellow Durham team-mate Ross Whitfield and Hampshire duo Eddie Jack and Dominic Kelly were also part of the Test squad in Australia.
Young Lions Head Coach, Mike Yardy, said: “We are excited to play two competitive Under-19s Tests against Australia.
“After two high-quality games last winter in Australia, I expect the same, watching the best young players go head-to-head in red-ball cricket.”
England Men’s U19s Test squad:
Ben McKinney (Durham – captain)
Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire) Charlie Allison (Essex)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
Jack Carney (Lancashire)
Jaydn Denly (Kent)
Daniel Hogg (Durham)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Dom Kelly (Hampshire)
Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire) Noah Thain (Essex)
Raphael Weatherall (Northamptonshire)
Ross Whitfield (Durham)
Youth Test Series v Australia U19s:
1st Youth Test: England U19s v Australia U19s, New Road, Worcester – 8-11 September
2nd Youth Test: England U19s v Australia U19s, County Ground, Northampton – 16-19 September
Essex Development XI travel to Fakenham Cricket Club to take on Norfolk in the East of England Development Competition what will be their final outing of 2023.
The Eagles currently sit second in the six-team division on seven points, one off current leaders Cambridgeshire, with two points on offer for a victory.
Norfolk, meanwhile, are fourth with three points which, barring a remarkable net run rate swing, is likely to be the highest position the Lions are capable of finishing in.
Essex are the only unbeaten team in the competition, having seen off Suffolk, Hertfordshire, and – by just five runs in a thrillingly high-scoring match that saw a total of 643 runs posted by both sides – title rivals Cambridgeshire.
Haris Usman has led the way with the bat for the Eagles, scoring 153 runs at an average of 76.5 and with a top score of 138, made in that aforementioned thriller in Saffron Walden.
Meanwhile, Om Thakeria has been the joint-leading wicket taker in the competition as a whole so far, snaring nine scalps at an average of 10.33 and an economy rate of 3.85.
The clash with Norfolk is set to take place in the market town 25 miles north-west of Norwich on Sunday 10th September, with the first ball at 11:00am.
Essex: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence, Matt Critchley, Paul Walter, Adam Rossington (wk), Simon Harmer, Umesh Yadav, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter.
Middlesex: Mark Stoneman, Sam Robson, Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies, Max Holden, Ryan Higgins, John Simpson (wk), Josh de Caires, Luke Hollman, Toby Roland-Jones, Ethan Bamber.
Match Details:
Umpires: Ian Blackwell & Russell Warren Match Referee: Jason Swift Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bat Result: Essex won by 297 runs
Essex overseas pair Simon Harmer and Umesh Yadav teamed up to share eight wickets and bowl Essex to their sixth successive win in the LV= Insurance County Championship while putting pressure on top-of-the-table Surrey.
South African off-spinner Harmer returned figures of five for 43 to pass 50 wickets for the sixth time in seven English seasons as Middlesex were beaten by 297 runs. Indian debutant Yadav, meanwhile, opened his Essex account by steaming in from the Hayes Close End and taking three wickets in a devastating eight-over spell either side of tea.
Set a nominal 445 in a possible four-and-a-half sessions, relegation-threatened Middlesex collapsed to 55-5 before sinking to 147 all out. It left Essex 18 points adrift of Surrey with two games to play.
Sir Alastair Cook had laid the foundations for Essex’s 319-7 with a phlegmatic 84 from 178 balls before Matt Critchley’s belligerent run-a-ball 65 hastened the declaration an hour after lunch. Middlesex off-spinner Josh de Caires added two second-innings wickets to post the first 10-wicket match haul of his embryonic career at a personal cost of 190.
When Middlesex started their forlorn chase, Simon Harmer made immediate inroads as Sam Robson turned the off-spinner’s second ball to Dan Lawrence who took a spectacular, full-length diving catch at leg slip. A second wicket followed quickly when Joe Cracknell played back and was lbw.
Enter Yadav. He had been unable to take a wicket in the first innings but his pace soon had Middlesex on the skids. Jack Davies played at one that moved away to end up in first slip’s hands and Mark Stoneman’s 47-ball six was ended when he diverted another to third slip. Middlesex were 42-4 at tea.
Max Holden lasted four overs after the interval before he became Yadav’s third wicket – and 350th in first-class cricket – when the left-hander dangled his bat and was caught behind.
John Simpson and Ryan Higgins stalled Essex for 19 overs while eking out 42 runs. However, when Critchley switched ends, he had Simpson trying unsuccessfully to fend off a turning ball and was lbw.
Harmer’s return after a brief break brought instant reward as with his third ball he had Luke Hollman snaffled by Nick Browne at silly mid-off. Middlesex were 113-7 which became 115-8 when de Caires fell to the same catcher-bowler combination.
With eight wickets down, and the light fading on another sun-baked day, Essex claimed the extra half-an-hour. And in the sixth additional over Critchley bowled Ryan Higgins to end his two-hour vigil for 21 from 96 balls.
In a frantic climax, with seven minutes remaining, Toby Roland-Jones flicked a long hop from Harmer against Browne at bat-pad from where it ricocheted to Adam Rossington.
It had been more serene earlier in the day. Cook and Westley took Essex’s advantage past 300 before their second-wicket partnership of 114 was ended when Westley swished over a ball from Ethan Bamber and was lbw for 47.
The pair were circumspect, taking 130 balls to put on the first fifty of their stand, but speeding up noticeably with just another 69 balls required for the seocn fifty.
Cook departed three overs after his captain, rocking on to the backfoot in an attempt to execute a trademark punch past point only to nick behind and become occasional leg-spinner Robson a first wicket of the season to mark his 200th first-class appearance.
The tempo increased post-lunch with Critchley reserve-sweeping four off de Caires that brought up the fifty partnership with Lawrence from 49 balls.
After his eight wickets in the first innings, de Caires had to wait 25 overs for his ninth of the match. Lawrence, having scored a rapid 26, bounced down the wicket and lofted to deep extra cover.
The 21-year-old off-spinner claimed his milestone 10th victim when Paul Walter followed Lawrence’s ill-advised heave and holed out in the deep.
A lofted straight drive from Critchley landed just inside the rope off Hollman, but next ball did clear the boundary to complete his eighth score of fifty or more this season.
Adam Rossington perished reverse-sweeping Robson, who was then carted for 18 in an over as Harmer found the short boundary with four, four, six off successive balls.
Critchley was dropped on 63 by Holden at deep midwicket off Higgins but next ball stepped out of his crease in attempting another mighty blow and was stumped. The declaration followed shortly afterwards.
Day Two Reaction: Jamie Porter
Day Two Match Report:
Jamie Porter sliced through the Middlesex batting for his third five-wicket haul in successive innings to pass fifty first-class wickets for the sixth season in his career, the first since 2019.
The 30-year-old seamer, bowling with renewed vigour this summer after struggling with injuries and consequent loss of form in recent years, finished with six for 34, and 53 wickets for the campaign, as Middlesex were bowled out for 179.
That left the relegation-threatened visitors trailing by 125 runs on first innings, which was extended to 229 at close of day two with Sir Alastair Cook’s unbeaten 44 leading Essex to 104-1.
Off-spinner Josh de Caires had wrapped up the Essex first innings with his eighth ball of the morning to walk off with the match ball and career-best figures of eight for 106. Essex added just one run to their overnight total, reaching 304, before Sam Cook edged to slip.
That was the last wicket to fall to spin until the 51st over of Middlesex’s innings – when Simon Harmer tempted Toby Roland-Jones to try and hit him out of the ground – by which time the Essex seamers had shared the first eight wickets on a lively, baked pitch. Cook chipped in with three of his own for 43.
However, with LV= Insurance County Championship leaders Surrey completing their innings victory over Warwickshire earlier in the day, it left Essex 33 points adrift in second place, albeit with the result of this game to be added on.
Porter struck in only his second over, a double-wicket maiden, removing Mark Stoneman to a loose drive to cover point followed by Joe Cracknell to a catch low down at second slip. Wicket No50 arrived two overs later when Sam Robson’s off-stump was sent cartwheeling as he played down the wrong line.
Cook then had Jack Davies lbw and Middlesex were 25-4 with only eight overs gone.
Middlesex shrank into survival mode for a spell as Simon Harmer and Umesh Yadav had John Simpson and Max Holden playing and missing at contrasting pace. The pair went 34 balls without scoring, and Harmer sent down 29 deliveries without conceding a run before Simpson swept him to the boundary.
It was not until Porter returned for a second spell that the fifth-wicket pair were parted after 17 overs, 24 runs and nearly an hour, Simpson remaining anchored on his crease when rapped on the pad.
Holden put on 41 in 10 overs with Ryan Higgins either side of lunch until he got a leading edge that popped up back into Porter’s hands.
Luke Hollman swept Harmer for six in a 38-run stand with Higgins before he became the second lbw victim for Cook. He had a third wicket when Higgins was beaten for pace to end his swashbuckling 44 from 54 balls.
De Caires and Roland-Jones steered Middlesex past the follow-on mark, but the captain departed when ending the sequence of seamers’ wickets by sweeping Harmer into the hands of deep midwicket. Porter had Ethan Bamber lbw to leave the ubiquitous de Caires unbeaten on 29 including six fours.
De Caires, who sent down 39 overs first time round, opened from the River End for a dozen overs without finding the same assistance from the wicket. Nick Browne and Alastair Cook were untroubled while putting on 64 for the first innings before Browne gloved behind one that lifted from Roland-Jones.
Day One Highlights:
Day One Reaction: Nick Browne
Day One Match Report:
Josh de Caires’ career-best 7/105 cast a dark cloud over Essex hopes of chasing down Surrey’s burgeoning lead at the head of the LV= Insurance County Championship.
While Essex struggled to collect an underwhelming two batting point at Chelmsford, defending champions Surrey piled up six bonus points at the Oval in making Warwickshire follow-on to extend their advantage at present to 21 points.
The off-spinning de Caires, 21-year-old son of Michael Atherton, might have returned even more spectacular figures, following on closely from his seven for 144 against Hampshire in June, but Ryan Higgins spilled Dan Lawrence at slip and Mark Stoneman floored a chance at short midwicket that reprieved Adam Rossington, neither of which proved particularly costly.
Essex had looked in no trouble on a pitch that baked under a hot sun, with Nick Browne (59) and Sir Alastair Cook (58) putting on 122 for their first century opening stand of the season. However, de Caires then took centre stage, helping reduce Essex initially to 169-5 inside 16 overs en route to 303-9 at the close.
Middlesex’s plight in the relegation mire was not helped by the news in the morning that the Indian off-spinner Jayant Yadav, signed initially for the last four Championship games, was stranded in Delhi because his visa documentation had not been completed in time at the British Embassy.
Instead, the ball was thrown to de Caires from the ninth over and he bowled 38 overs from the River End with only a couple of breathers.
After winning the toss, Cook and Browne batted serenely in the fierce sunshine and without offering up a chance until de Caires let out a hopeful, though forlorn, shout to the last ball before lunch for lbw against Cook.
That turned out merely to herald a clatter of wickets. The young bowler was eventually rewarded with the prized scalp of Cook when the left-hander stuck his right leg down the wicket and was rapped on the pad to depart for 58 from 127 balls.
Cook had been first to fifty, reached from 89 balls with nine fours, followed by Browne from one more ball but one boundary fewer.
Before his own demise, the former England captain had lost Browne when a delivery from de Caires was flicked into the hands of short leg after a 108-ball 59.
De Caires had his third wicket in five post-lunch overs when he got a delivery to turn from outside off-stump, bamboozling Tom Westley and taking the middle-and-off bail.
Lawrence did not stay long before wafting at one down legside from Ethan Bamber, and Paul Walter withdrew his bat as one from de Caires went straight on and clipped off-stump.
However, a sixth-wicket stand of 66 in 18 overs between Matt Critchley and Rossington repaired the damage before Rossington picked out Hollman on the long-leg boundary to provide de Caires with a fifth wicket. Critchley went in the next over for 36, lbw to Toby Roland-Jones.
Essex overseas addition, Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav, marked his debut by striking de Caires for 14 runs from the first three balls of his 34th over but perished trying to land a second six over long leg.
When he returned after the new ball had been taken, de Caires had Simon Harmer caught heaving to short extra cover.
Essex v Middlesex
LV= Insurance County Championship
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Monday 4 – Thursday 7 September | 10:30am start
Essex return to the red-ball arena for perhaps their most crucial three-game run in several seasons as they bid to chase down current leaders, and defending champions, Surrey.
The Brown Caps are currently 17 points ahead at the top of the tree, though with both sides still having up to 72 to play for, the race is set to go right down to the wire.
The Eagles’ first assignment of the blockbuster season finale is a home tie against relegation-threatened Middlesex, who are just three points above the drop zone, in Chelmsford.
Squad:
Essex have named a 14-player squad for the visit of the Seaxes, with four changes to the group that faced Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in the Eagles’ last red-ball outing.
Dan Lawrence and new overseas signing Umesh Yadav come in, alongside Feroze Khushi – who has recovered from an injury sustained in early July – and Aaron Beard.
Meanwhile, the trio of New Zealander Doug Bracewell – whose stint with the Club has ended – Robin Das, and Shane Snater drop out.
The Opposition:
Middlesex squad: Toby Roland-Jones (c), Ethan Bamber, Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies, Josh de Caires, Stephen Eskinazi, Tom Helm, Ryan Higgins, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Sam Robson, John Simpson, Mark Stoneman, Jayant Yadav.
Promoted from Division Two as runners-up to Nottinghamshire last season, Middlesex remain in danger of an immediate return, in seventh and just three points ahead of Kent.
Their potential trump card to play is that they have a game in hand over the the Spitfires and will play four times in September, meaning that their fate does still lie in their own hands.
However, with just three wins and six defeats from their ten matches so far, they will have to hope the final month of the season brings about a change in their fortunes if they are to avoid the drop.
Elsewhere, the Seaxes had a tough Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign, finishing seventh in Group A with five points, but their Vitality Blast tournament was even more forgettable, as they occupied the basement position in the South Group with only three wins from their 14 games.
Division One Standings:
Last Time We Met:
The first game of this season back in April saw Essex make the short trip to Lord’s, where they kicked their season off in fine style with a 97-run win.
Dan Lawrence made light of the early-season conditions to hit 105 in the Eagles’ first innings as Matt Critchley also chipped in with 55, before Jamie Porter returned 6/35, his best figures in five years, to skittle the hosts.
Possessing a lead of 96, Essex then put themselves virtually out of sight thanks to a further 53 from Critchley, and once Porter and Sam Cook had shared six wickets between them, a season-opening victory was in the bag.
How To Watch:
If you are unable to make it to The Cloud County Ground in person, the game will be streamed live on the Essex Cricket TV YouTube channel and available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
Daily highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website, while live updates will be provided on the Club’s social media channels.
Tickets:
As ever, Essex Members can enter any and all days of this fixture by showing their valid card at the gate, and are then free to sit in any vacant available seat in the ground, though the Doug Insole Pavilion benches and blocks 1-14 and 27-31 are reserved specifically for Members.
General admission seats are located in blocks 15 to 26 and are unreserved, with the Family Area able to be found in block 23, which is part of the Felsted School Stand.
These tickets are priced at £14 for adults if bought in advance or £17 at the gate on the day, while young adults aged between 18 and 25 can buy at any time for £11 and under-18 tickets cost just £5.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the link below:
The final month of the season is tantalisingly poised as Essex look to hunt down leaders Surrey. Essex have three games in September, two of them at The Cloud County Ground.
First up, Middlesex, who will be looking to extend the small margin they have over Kent as they face a crucial September in the fight to secure Division One cricket next season.
Match Information:
Open Ground
The Club will be continuing to have an open ground for this match, permitting all spectators to walk around the full concourse area with better access to the Club Store and other facilities.
Members will still have exclusive access to dedicated Members’ seating areas which will be located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for both Members and general public.
Please note that seating for LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures is unallocated so will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Peter Edwards Museum & Library
Visit the Peter Edwards Museum & Library during your visit to the match which include a new exhibition on the late Ken Farnes who was a prominent player for the Club during the 1930s. The Museum is free to to visit over the course of the match and is located next to the Essex Cricket Store.
Gates Opening Times:
Gates open from 9:30am via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or alternatively, the Tees River Gate which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.
Scheduled Hours of Play:
Toss (Day One): 10:00am
Morning Session: 10:30am-12:30pm
Afternoon Session: 1:10pm-3:10pm
Evening Session: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Scheduled Close of Play: 5:30pm
Members Entry & Matchday Tickets:
The LV= Insurance County Championship is part of the 2023 Membership and Members are required to scan their card on the gate.
Supporters visiting individual matchdays can purchase tickets in advance to save on the price and speed up your entry into the ground. Reduced priced tickets are available at £14 Adults, £11 Students/Young Adults (18-25) and £5 Juniors (U18s).
These can be purchased online via the following link or alternatively by phone (01245 254010) in person at The Cloud County Ground.
Tickets will also be available on the gates from 10am each day and this is strictly card sales only. Post-lunch tickets are available priced at £11 Adults, with entry free of charge after the scheduled Tea break.
Matchday Purchases:
The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes purchasing tickets on the gates, scorecards on the gates, and on food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas. Find out more – here
Scorecards will be available using contactless payment on the entry gates priced at £1, and also available in the Essex Cricket Store.
Accessibility:
Accessible parking:
Accessible car parking spaces are located at The Cloud County Ground and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating can be found in the Hayes Close End of the ground and a wheelchair-accessible platform is located in Block One of the Tom Pearce Stand.
Carers can enter the ground on a companion ticket which is free of charge. This is upon the presentation in the Membership & Ticketing Office or on the gate with proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 16 years old.
We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.
Accessible Toilets:
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located behind the main scorecard (Red Area), rear of the Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue Area) and adjacent to Block 25 at County Corner (Green Area).
Ahead of Your Visit:
In the event of adverse weather conditions on the day of the match, please keep up to date with the prospects of play via the Club’s Twitter and Facebook channels.
Please note that the Prospect of Play phone line is no longer in use and all updates will be available online.
Travel:
Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car will need to locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no parking available on-site at The Cloud County Ground.
• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open across all four days.
• Meteor Way will be open for Members and open three hours before the start of play and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Public Transport:
• Chelmsford Bus Station is situated on Duke Street, next to Chelmsford Train Station, with connections to all over the County. Alternatively, bus numbers 13, 46 and C1 shuttles, stop on New London Road, which is approximately a two-minute walk to the Ground, via New Writtle Street.
• Chelmsford Railway Station is operated by Greater Anglia and is an approximate 10-minute walk from The Cloud County Ground. Regular direct train services depart from Chelmsford to London, Stratford, Shenfield, Romford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. Chelmsford is situated on the Liverpool Street to Norwich mainline.
Ground Entry:
Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate.
Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members upon the presentation of a valid Membership card and accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.
• Members are not required to pre-book a match ticket and can enter by scanning their Membership card on the gate. If you require a replacement card, please get in contact with the Membership & Ticketing Office before the fixture to arrange a replacement or this may cause delays on entry for you and other spectators.
• Entry to this fixture is included in 2023 Membership and encourage Members to arrive in plenty of time to secure your seat. All seating for Championship games is Unallocated and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There will be an open ground for this match allowing spectators to walk around the whole concourse area at The Cloud County Ground with access to the Club shop and other facilities.
Members will still have access to dedicated Members’ seating areas which will be located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for Members and general public.
General Public Seating:
• Supporters who have purchased tickets can enter the ground by scanning the QR on your tickets that has been sent to you via email following your purchase. If you choose to print out your ticket, please ensure that the match details (including name and seat details) are included as per the image below. Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone or printed out so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your QR code as that will not be read by the scanners.
• Ticket holders can sit in all areas of the ground for this match, except for the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower stands.
• In the event of rain forecast on the day of the match, spectators can bring a small umbrella into the ground but metal spiked umbrellas are not permitted.
Around the Ground:
• Spectators are welcome to enter the pitch during the lunch & tea breaks when instructed over PA or by a member of the Club’s stewarding team. Please follow the guidance to the specific areas permitted to enter and please respect the playing surface. We encourage spectators to play on the outfield but please use softballs.
• Spectators are permitted to move behind the Doug Insole Pavilion but please respect the players’ area and walkway.
• The Club have installed a new faith and reflection room. This is available to spectators throughout the duration of the match and is located within the Allen Ford Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.
• The Peter Edwards Museum & Library is located on-site adjacent to the Essex Cricket Store and will be open for the duration of the game.
• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit to The Cloud County Ground then, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text ‘CROWD’ including your stand and issue to 60066.
• Free Wi-Fi is available at The Cloud County Ground for every matchday giving you the opportunity to share photos and videos of your Eagles experience. Simply logon to ‘EC-Public’ from your seat to access.
Food & Drink:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks from the bar. A choice of snacks will also be available to purchase.
• Anne’s Pantry will be offering a choice of home-cooked meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Hayes Close End and River End.
They will be serving a range of meals suitable for all dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, as well as children’s portions.
• Other refreshment kiosks include bar areas located at either end of the ground in County Corner and Spinners Bar.
• Spectators can bring food and drink into the ground for this fixture. A limit of four cans of beer/lager or one bottle of wine per person but there’s strictly no glass or sharp objects permitted into the ground.
• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.
Leaving the Ground:
At the conclusion of the day’s play, we ask spectators to leave the ground in a safe and patient manner. Stewards will be on hand to help direct you safely out of the ground.
We hope you have an enjoyable visit to The Cloud County Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be available on essexcricket.org.uk ahead of the match.
Get in touch with us by email if you have any further questions at [email protected] or via the Club’s official Twitter and Facebook channels.
Watch The Action On the Move
Our Live Stream will be available for spectators with multi-angled ball tracking, replays and commentary courtesy of BBC Essex. Head to the Essex Cricket Matchzone to watch the action live ahead of the toss on Day One, plus view an interactive scorecard, stats and individual match clips.
Essex kicked off their summer run of red-ball matches with a clash with Somerset at home, and Alastair Cook’s long-established talent was on full show as his century set up a crushing 196-run win.
Cook made 128 in a first innings total of 462-9 declared, with Matt Critchley also posting 121, before a Simon Harmer five-for saw Somerset bundled out for 167 and gave Essex full control at the halfway point.
It was a grip they never relinquished, as Critchley hit 52 in the second dig with Essex again declaring on 170-7 and setting Somerset a nominal 466 to win, before Harmer and Jamie Porter shared six wickets to bowl the visitors out.
A second home match in a row followed a fortnight later, as a match against Warwickshire began on a steaming hot Sunday, though it was the Bears who ended up frazzled as Essex won by nine wickets.
Tom Westley, who hit 114, and Dan Lawrence, who went even better with 152, shared a stand of 227 for the third wicket to set up another big first-innings total of 457.
The Eagles then very much won the battle of the anthropomorphic teams, bowling Warwickshire out twice in a row thanks to a ten-for from Simon Harmer, before knocking off a simple 85 fourth-innings target.
July
Essex truly found themselves liking being by the seaside against Lancashire in Blackpool, as they handed the Red Rose their first defeat of the season by the thrilling margin of 46 runs.
The Eagles held a healthy first-innings advantage of 137 after both sides had batted once, thanks to another ton from Tom Westley before Sam Cook picked up a haul of four.
Dan Lawrence made a sparkling 135 the second time around before some stunning striking from Doug Bracewell in the lower order, with the New Zealander making 61 off just 35, set up a monster chase for Lancashire.
Rob Jones’ hundred very nearly saw the hosts pull of a shock victory, but at the very end of day four, Bracewell produced another moment of magic to remove the centurion and continue Essex’s ascent.
The second red-ball Battle of the Bridge of the summer provided far more joy for Essex after a washout in Canterbury back in April, as the Eagles beat not just Kent by seven wickets, but the weather too.
Seam maestros Porter and Cook split six wickets to bowl Kent out for 207, before Critchley continued his purple patch with another century to give the Eagles a first-innings lead of 251.
An innings win could have been on the cards were it not for the resistance of Harry Finch and Joey Evison who hauled Kent to 280.
However, the resulting target of 30 was knocked off in just 23 deliveries as the Eagles took the points and got out before the looming rain arrived.
The final task facing the Eagles before the Championship made way for the One Day Cup was a potentially daunting trip to Hampshire, but some grit, discipline, and application ensured a fifth win on the bounce.
It was very much a case of the bowlers being dominant throughout, as both sides found themselves dismissed for less than 170 in the first innings, though Essex did snatch a slender 49-run advantage.
Porter had taken five in Hampshire’s first dig, and he picked up another quintet to turn that into a ten-for as Essex set themselves 86 to win.
There may well have been some jangling nerves at 49-3, but the patience of Paul Walter and Michael Pepper, who added an unbroken 32 for the fifth wicket, saw Essex sneak over the line.
Ben Allison has joined Worcestershire on a three-match loan move until the end of the 2023 season.
Allison, 23, will be eligible for selection in the promotion-chasing Pears’ home matches against Glamorgan and Durham, as well as a season-ending trip to Headingley to face Yorkshire.
The New Road outfit currently sit second in Division Two, fourteen points ahead of Glamorgan in third, and are firmly in the hunt for a first promotion since 2017.
Allison has taken 18 first-class wickets in his career at an average of 28.27 with a best return of 5/32, as well as having hit 265 runs at 29.44 with a top score of 69 not out.
Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, said: “We wish Ben well during his time at Worcestershire, where he will receive some valuable first-class experience and hopefully finish his individual season on a high.
“The move will also provide him with some valuable first-team cricket, which has been hard to come by so far this season due to the strength in depth we possess in our attack here.”
Essex kicked off the second month of the season with a mouth-watering clash at home to now-title rivals, and defending champions, Surrey in Chelmsford.
Tom Westley and Matt Critchley continued their fine form from April by being the two top-scorers in the Eagles’ first innings, hitting 62 and 60, respectively, before Jamie Porter did the same with the ball in taking 4/51.
That handed Anthony McGrath’s men a comfortable first-innings lead of 74, from which they set Surrey 277 to win following their second dig.
However, despite at one point reducing the Brown Caps to 103-6, the hosts were ultimately unable to force victory as the battling efforts of Jamie Smith repelled the Essex attack and forced them to settle for a draw.
In the second encounter of a tricky-looking month, the Eagles headed to the West Midlands for a clash with 2021 Championship winners Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
This time, they came away on the wrong end of the result for the first, and to date only, time so far this season, as they were unable to recover from conceding a first-innings deficit of 116 despite Doug Bracewell’s 4/51.
Simon Harmer fought hard with an unbeaten 50 in the second innings to at least leave Warks needing 100 to win, and although they were at one point reduced to 86-5, the Bears edged over the line on the third afternoon.
Staying in the Midlands, though this time of the East variety, Essex’s final outing ahead of the beginning of their Vitality Blast campaign was a trip to newly-promoted Nottinghamshire.
They enjoyed a productive first innings as Westley again hit another half-century, eventually making 66, though even he was outshone by Alastair Cook’s 72.
Despite that, the hosts would reply with a bigger score of their own as Matthew Montgomery posted 177, but the Eagles fought back in emphatic fashion, with Cook and Westley again both hitting half-centuries.
Notts were then left with a total of 219 to chase for victory, nominal given the time left, and although hopes were briefly raised when Sam Cook dismissed both openers, the game ultimately ended in a predictable draw.
Westley again concluded the month as Essex’s leading run-scorer, ahead of Cook and Harmer, though two red-inkers for the latter did give him a healthy-looking average of 42.5.
With the ball, Bracewell finished atop the standings for May, just ahead of Cook and with Porter, the man who previously wore the crown inherited by the New Zealander, in third.
International cricket returns to Chelmsford this weekend as England face Sri Lanka in the second Vitality Women’s International T20 of the series. It’s always a special occasion when England’s Women make their annual trip to The Cloud County Ground after England secured a win in the opening match at Hove on Thursday.
Gates Opening Times:
From 12:30pm via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.
Scheduled Hours of Play:
Toss: 2pm
First Innings: 2:30pm – 3:45pm
Interval: 3:45pm – 4pm
Second Innings: 4pm – 5:15pm
Matchday Tickets:
A very limited number of tickets are still available for this fixture and can be purchased online now. We encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance to speed up ground entry. Supporters will, however, be able to buy tickets on the gate.
Tickets are available from £10 for Essex County Cricket Club Members, £5 for Juniors, £16 for Adults and £12 for Students/Young Adults.
Tickets can be bought online via the following link or alternatively by phone (01245 254010 – Friday, 10am-4pm).
Matchday Purchases:
The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes all food and drink purchases in the concourse areas. Find out more – here
Please note that the Essex Cricket Store is the only location on-site which accepts cash payments.
Accessibility:
Accessible parking:
There will be a very limited number of wheelchair accessible car parking spaces at The Cloud County Ground and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating is located in The Kenton Group Stand (Hayes Close End) for this game.
Carers can enter the ground on a companion ticket which is free of charge and must be arranged in advance. This is upon the presentation in the Membership & Ticketing Office or on the gate with proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 16 years old.
We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.
Accessible Toilets:
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located behind the main scoreboard (Red Area), rear of the Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue Area) and adjacent to Block 25 at County Corner (Green Area).
Ahead of Your Visit:
We want to make sure supporters are all set ahead of visiting the ground and please get in touch if you have any queries by email [email protected] or via the Club’s official Twitter and Facebook channels.
In the event of adverse weather conditions on the day of the match, please keep up to date with the prospects of play via the Club’s Twitter and Facebook channels.
Travel:
Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car will need to locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no parking available on-site at The Cloud County Ground.
• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open and closes at 11pm for this fixture.
• Meteor Way will be open for Members from three hours before the start of play and on a first-come, first-served basis. This car park will close 30 minutes after play has concluded.
Public Transport:
• Chelmsford Bus Station is situated on Duke Street, next to Chelmsford Train Station, with connections to all over the County. Alternatively, bus numbers 13, 46 and C1 shuttles, stop on New London Road, which is approximately a two-minute walk to the Ground, via New Writtle Street.
• Chelmsford Railway Station is operated by Greater Anglia and is an approximate 10-minute walk from The Cloud County Ground. Regular direct train services depart from Chelmsford to London, Stratford, Shenfield, Romford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. Chelmsford is situated on the Liverpool Street to Norwich mainline.
Ground Entry:
Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate. Please enter through the gate nearest your seat location.
Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members upon the presentation of a valid ticket and Membership card. This area accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate. Doug Insole Pavilion ticket upgrade holders can also enter for this match.
General Public Seating:
• Supporters who have purchased tickets can enter the ground by scanning the QR on your tickets that has been sent to you via email following your purchase. If you choose to print out your ticket, please ensure that the match details (including name and seat details) are included as per the image below. Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone or printed out so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your QR code as that will not be read by the scanners.
• The Eagles Area is unallocated seating, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
• In the event of rain forecast on the day of the match, spectators can bring a small umbrella into the ground but metal spiked umbrellas are not permitted.
• Please note, Blocks 28 and 29 are strictly alcohol-free. If you are seated in either Block you will not be permitted to take an alcoholic beverage to your seat.
Around the Ground:
• Spectators are not permitted to enter the field of play during a T20 match.
• Spectators are permitted to move behind the Doug Insole Pavilion but please respect the players’ area and walkway.
• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.
• Scorecards will be available for £1 from the Club Store for cash or card payment.
• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit to The Cloud County Ground then, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text ‘RESPECT’ including your stand and issue to 60066.
• Fan Wi-Fi is available at The Cloud County Ground for every matchday giving you the opportunity to share photos and videos of your Eagles experience. Simply logon to ‘EC-Public’ from your seat to access.
Food & Drink:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be welcoming Members through its doors and serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks from the bar. A choice of snacks will also be available to purchase.
• Anne’s Pantry will be offering a choice of hot meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Hayes Close End, River End and will also be operating a Food Court outside the Essex Cricket Store.
An additional food area is located in the blue area of the ground by the Essex Cricket Store which includes a range of hot food choices for this match.
Anne’s Pantry will be serving a range of meals suitable for all dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, as well as children’s portions.
• Other refreshment kiosks include bar areas located at either end of the ground in County Corner and Spinner’s Bar.
• Soft drink kiosks will be available for this fixture and located next to the Essex Cricket Store and behind the Tom Pearce Stand.
• Spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the ground for international T20 fixtures. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed providing there is no glass or sharp objects such as cutlery.
• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is now a cashless ground for 2023, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.
Leaving the Ground:
During T20 fixtures, spectators are not allowed to re-enter the ground after leaving.
At the conclusion of the game, we ask spectators to leave the ground in a safe and patient manner. Stewards will be on hand to help direct you safely out of the ground.
We hope you have an enjoyable visit to The Cloud County Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be available on essexcricket.org.uk ahead of the match.
Get in touch with us by email if you have any further questions at [email protected] or via the Club’s official Twitter and Facebook channels.
Watch The Action
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
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