It’s do-or-die for Essex heading into the final South Group game of the 2024 Vitality Blast away to Hampshire Hawks at the Utilita Bowl.
After a sensational win over Sussex Sharks last Saturday thanks to Michael Pepper’s barnstorming century, the Eagles remain in contention for the quarter-finals and just need to win in Southampton to seal it.
A victory for Middlesex over Gloucestershire in Chelmsford last night would have seen Anthony McGrath’s side safely into the last eight before a ball was even bowled in Southampton.
However, the two points that the West Country side picked up means the Eagles will have one final crunch clash to win to seal a third consecutive knockout stage appearance.
Squad
With qualification on the line, Head Coach McGrath has named a 14-strong group to travel to Hampshire.
The Inside Line: Paul Walter
The Opposition
Considering their status as one of the most successful teams in the history of the Blast, Hampshire have somewhat underwhelmed in this year’s competition.
The Hawks are one of only two teams to have won the competition three times, joint with Leicestershire Foxes, but their recent run of three consecutive Finals Days has been ended this year.
They currently sit seventh in the South Group, having won just three of their 13 games so far, and are currently on a run of just one victory in their last ten matches.
Joe Weatherley’s 303 runs at 33.66 mark him out as the Hawks’ leading batter, while Michael Neser and John Turner lead the way with the ball, having both claimed 11 wickets.
Hampshire Hawks squad: James Vince*, Toby Albert, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Benny Howell, Eddie Jack, Ben McDermott+, Fletcha Middleton, Tom Prest, John Turner, Joe Weatherley, Brad Wheal, Chris Wood.
Last Time We Met
Essex sealed a convincing eight-wicket win the last time the sides met, at The Cloud County Ground a little under one month ago.
After winning the toss and electing to field, the Eagles restricted Hampshire to 166-7, with 48 from Joe Weatherley and James Fuller’s quickfire 39 restrained by three wickets for Ben Allison.
In response, Dean Elgar struck 60 not out from 44 balls and found confident support from Michael Pepper and Jordan Cox, who hit 44 from 24 and 45 off 25, respectively.
Cox’s innings was also unbeaten, as his unbroken third-wicket stand with Elgar of 59 in just 36 balls saw the hosts knock off their modest target with more than three full overs to spare.
South Group Table
How To Watch
If you are not accompanying the Eagles down the M3 to Southampton, the match will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
Tickets
Seating is unreserved for this match and tickets are still available for the match from Hampshire’s website, priced at £26 for adults and £7 for juniors.
To buy your tickets and support the Eagles on the south coast, visit the link below:
School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer
White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.
The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.
With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.
Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host two Women’s London Championship matches during the summer holidays.
Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
Kent: Ella Darlington, Sam Wright, Genevieve Jeer, Darcey Carter, Coco Streets, Charlotte Pape*, Jodie Hobson, Emily Thompson+, Kaya Clark, Olivia Barnes, Zeena Bilal, Imogen Sheriyar
Essex: Tilly Callaghan, Jasmine Westley, Bella Johnson, Jess Olorenshaw, Kelly Castle*, Scarlett Hughes+, Grace Poole, Sophia Mitchell, Hannah Davis, Sally Chapman, Cara Castleman
Match Details
Umpires: John McBride & Mel Juniper Scorers: Lin Martin & Joanna Johnson Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bowl first Result: Essex won by nine wickets
Hannah Davis ripped through Kent with 5/19 as Essex sealed a crushing Battle of the Bridge win away at Sutton Valence School in the Women’s County 50-Over competition.
Davis returned her figures from 10 overs, with Sally Chapman and Cara Castleman also taking two wickets apiece, as the hosts were bundled out for 134 at the venue on the outskirts of Maidstone.
In response, half-centuries for Tilly Callaghan and Jasmine Westley, the former unbeaten, saw the Eagles race to their target in just 23.5 overs.
Having elected to insert Kent after winning the toss, the visiting attack was heavily restrictive early on, with Grace Poole and Sophia Mitchell keeping the score down to just 33 in the opening 12 overs.
With that pressure having built up, the introduction of Davis saw Essex score the first wicket, with Ella Darlington bowled for 19.
From there, Davis also saw off Genevieve Jeer, caught and bowled for two, and Darlington’s fellow opener Sam Wright, caught by Poole for 15.
That was before Callaghan got in on the act with the ball too, having Darcey Carter caught by Kelly Castle for five to leave Kent 54-4.
The hosts’ situation, although stabilised a little around the halfway point by Coco Streets and captain Charlotte Pape, then got even worse when Davis bowled a double-wicket maiden.
Streets was the first victim of that over, bowled for seven, before Davis rounded it out by pinning Jodie Hobson lbw for a four-ball duck.
Almost immediately afterwards, Emily Thompson hit Chapman to Davis for the first of her two wickets, and she took her second a short while after when top-scorer Pape was finally removed for 26.
Castleman then wrapped up the tail in successive overs by having Kaya Clark held by Castle for 17 and then seeing Olivia Barnes caught behind by Scarlett Hughes for three.
The Eagles began the chase in supremely confident fashion, and openers Callaghan and Westley almost got the job done themselves with an opening partnership of 122.
That included both hitting fifty, with Callaghan the first to do so in 60 balls in the 17th over, before Westley followed in even faster fashion, reaching the milestone from 47 deliveries.
It took the duo just an hour, and 17.5 overs, to bring up three figures, with the belligerent nature of Westley’s innings underlined by the fact she went to fifty with a six.
She was not able to be there at the end, falling to Pape via a Carter catch for 55 off 50 balls, but Callaghan and replacement Bella Johnson knocked off what remained in just 3.5 further overs.
The in-form Johnson supported Callaghan, who ended unbeaten on 66, with five not out, but four of those were the match’s most crucial runs, as she hit Jeer to the fence to confirm a sizeable Essex win.
School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer
White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.
The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.
With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.
Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host two Women’s London Championship matches during the summer holidays.
Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
The 1st Central County Ground, Hove | The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Saturday 13 July, 2:30pm | Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm
A skilful display of death bowling handed Essex a 22-run win over Kent on Thursday that not only gave the Eagles a big morale boost, but also provided two more priceless points in the quarter-final race.
In a match that saw Sam Cook return to the Essex line-up, Paul Walter top-scored with an unbeaten 27-ball 46 as the hosts racked up 187-3.
Cook and Walter then strangled the Spitfires in the late stages of their chase, combining for figures of 1/50 from eight overs as the visitors struggled from 95-1 after ten to finish on 165-5.
Now, Anthony McGrath’s side face a stern double test over the weekend with a Saturday outing to second-placed Sussex Sharks before table-topping Surrey visit The Cloud County Ground on Sunday.
Squad
Head Coach McGrath has named an unchanged 14-strong group for the first of the weekend’s fixtures in Hove.
The Opposition: Sussex Sharks
Sussex have soared in this year’s Blast so far, winning seven of ten games to be in second place as the group stage reaches its climax.
The Sharks are just two points behind group leaders Surrey, and have won three of their last four games, including back-to-back El Clasicoast wins over neighbours Hampshire Hawks.
Their good form is a welcome change from the last two years, where the Sharks, who have won this competition once in the past – in 2009 – were eliminated in the group stage on both occasions.
Australian opener Daniel Hughes leads the way with the bat, having struck 354 runs at 35.40, while captain Tymal Mills is one of the most in-form bowlers around with 20 wickets taken at 15.00 apiece.
Sussex Sharks squad: Tymal Mills*, Tom Alsop, Jack Carson, Tom Clark, James Coles, Henry Crocombe, Brad Currie, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Daniel Hughes, Danny Lamb, Archie Lenham, Nathan McAndrew, Ollie Robinson, John Simpson, Harrison Ward.
Last Time We Met: Sussex Sharks
Sussex claimed an ultimately comfortable eight-wicket win the last time the sides met at The Cloud County Ground just under a month ago.
Put in to bat, Essex could only muster a below-par 178-9, despite Dean Elgar’s 39-ball 54 and a quick 12 off seven from Luc Benkenstein, as Nathan McAndrew returned 3/33 from four overs.
In response, Harrison Ward and Daniel Hughes raced out of the blocks with an opening stand of 99 in just 6.5 overs, setting the Sharks up to overhaul the target with ease.
They did so a little under nine overs later, as Ward struck 68 off 36 and Hughes hammered 47 off 18, teeing up an unbeaten 45 off 28 from John Simpson that got the visitors over the line.
The Opposition: Surrey
Much like Division One of the Vitality County Championship, Surrey have dominated the shortest-format competition too, with last season’s semi-finalists sitting top of the tree with 16 points.
The Brown Caps have lost just one game from ten so far this season, with their only conquerors being Sussex in what was a top-of-the-table clash at the Kia Oval a month ago.
Since then, the 2003 champions have swept aside all comers and have the South Group in their grasp as they aim for a third Finals Day in five years.
Jamie Smith, who has been called up for an England Test debut, is their leading run-scorer with 285 at 40.71, while Australian overseas Sean Abbott claimed 15 wickets in eight games before he departed.
Surrey squad:Chris Jordan*, Rory Burns, Dan Worrall, Cameron Steel, Dom Sibley, Ben Geddes, Ryan Patel, Will Jacks, Laurie Evans, Jordan Clark, Tom Lawes, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton
Last Time We Met: Surrey
Having opted to chase in the final group stage game of the 2023 tournament at the Kia Oval last July, Essex were set 196 to win as Sunil Narine top-scored with 78 from 38 and six wickets were evenly split.
Michael Pepper’s 75 got Essex off to a flying start at 140-2 after 11.3 overs, but a mid-innings stumble meant that eight runs were still required by the time Sean Abbott came to bowl the last over.
Five singles were traded off the first five, meaning that Khushi had the task of hitting at least three off the last ball to keep alive the Eagles’ hopes of knockout stage progression.
Khushi hoisted a wide yorker towards Chris Jordan at deep midwicket, who, despite holding on, was unable to halt the momentum that carried him over the rope, confirming six and an Essex win.
South Group Table
How To Watch
If you are not able to attend either or both matches, each will be live-streamed – on hosts Sussex’s YouTube channel on Saturday afternoon, and then on the usual EssexCricketTV channel on Sunday with both available through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of each game, while live updates and highlights from both will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
Tickets
Hosts Sussex have confirmed that Saturday’s fixture is sold out.
However, there is still limited availability for Sunday’s match, with prices starting at £33 for adults, £28 for young adults and students, and £10 for juniors.
The Kenton Group Stand at the Graham Gooch End of the ground is the designated family stand for this year’s Vitality Blast, with blocks 27-29 being alcohol-free and blocks 30 & 31 being the alcohol-tolerant family area.
Tickets for the visit of Surrey can be purchased by clicking this link:
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
There is now just one final chance to catch Essex in home Vitality Blast South Group action in 2024.
With the Eagles firmly in contention for another knockout match as the group stage reaches its climax, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As the 2023 runners-up continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
After three successful years, John Stephenson has decided to step down as Chief Executive of Essex Cricket after the conclusion of the 2024 playing season to pursue other projects.
He will remain at the Club until then to focus on regulatory issues and work with the Board on other strategic priorities.
Essex Chair Anu Mohindru KC said of John, who also played for the County in two spells: “He has shown outstanding leadership in guiding Essex through the last three years, and we are extremely sad to see him step down but we respect his reasons.
“These have been difficult times for the Club in facing historical allegations of racism, but we were extremely fortunate to have John as CEO. He was prepared to tackle the allegations head on, and in doing so demonstrated resolve, wisdom, fairness and integrity.
“During his tenure, we have been successful in securing a Women’s Tier One team and developing a clear vision and master plan for a new ground. He leaves this County in a stronger position and much better equipped to build for the future.
“John served the County as a player, Chief Executive and Interim Chair and so he is an integral part of Essex’s history. We respect his decision to leave, thank him for his immense contribution to the game and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
John, who was also MCC Head of Cricket from 2004 before moving to Essex, played Test cricket for England, as well as playing for and captaining Hampshire, said: “This has been a difficult decision to make as Essex has been in my bloodstream since the day I walked through the doors at Chelmsford in 1984.
“I am proud of what I achieved here. I have loved my time as Chief Executive and particularly enjoyed working with our diverse and talented board and our close-knit team of professional and dedicated staff.
“We have enjoyed success on the field and I am certain there is more to come. I wish everyone at the Club the very best for the future, which I am confident will be successful, building on the strong foundations which we, as a team, have built. I will always be willing to assist Essex in any way that I can in the future.”
Michael Pepper has been voted as the PCA Player of the Month for June following some fantastic displays in the domestic game, including his maiden Vitality Blast century against Middlesex.
He was shortlisted through the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings, powered by Argentex, for his remarkable performances in June as the top four players according to the unique algorithm from the men’s and women’s game faced a public vote. The winners were decided by a 50:50 split between the PCA MVP Rankings and the supporters poll.
For the men’s category, Pepper won more than half the public vote alongside being the highest ranked player on the MVP Rankings in June. Following his England Test call up, Surrey’s Jamie Smith came second, whilst Warwickshire teammates Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley were third and fourth respectively.
Pepper follows his Eagles teammate, Jordan Cox who picked up the award for May.
In the women’s game, Kathryn Bryce also received the highest percentage of the public vote alongside being ranked the best player on the MVP Rankings to give her the award. Sunrisers Grace Scrivens climbed up to second with a strong public vote as Northern Diamonds’ Hollie Armitage finished third with Sarah Bryce in fourth.
Pepper voted best player in June
A phenomenal month from Pepper with the bat in the Vitality Blast saw him score 326 runs at an average of 54.3, earning him 170 MVP points.
The 26-year-old also portrayed his capabilities behind the stumps with 11 dismissals in the Vitality County Championship.
The wicketkeeper-batter won two Match MVP awards in June, his innings of 101 off 44 balls against Middlesex earned him the most MVP points of any Match MVP in the month with 55.
An innings of 76 off 42 balls against Kent also won him a Match MVP in the Battle of the Bridge as Essex won by five wickets.
One of the best T20 innings ever witnessed at Chelmsford 💪
Pepper will receive a bespoke Mappin & Webb trophy for winning the June PCA Player of the Month and described what it was like to win the accolade.
“It feels good to win it, I’d actually forgotten about being nominated with how busy the schedule is but it’s great to win against some other really good nominees.
“It’s always nice keeping the award at Essex with Coxy (Jordan Cox) winning it last month and I’ve been able to learn some valuable things off him, he’s an amazing player.
“We’re in a very strong position for competing for trophies but the schedule has been relentless. It’s been difficult with no rest days and jumping from T20 to red-ball, with all the travel as well and no time for training, it’s tough on the body and the mind.
“It’s great to hear that the fans are backing me, knowing that people are voting for you, is a great feeling and keeps you motivated.”
Essex return to T20 action on Friday following back-to-back Vitality County Championship matches. Somerset are the visitors to Chelmsford in what will be a repeat of the 2023 Vitality Blast Final at Edgbaston.
Both sides come into the fixture with the same number of wins, losses and points from the eight games so far this season, with the visitors having the upper hand on the Eagles earlier in the competition at Taunton.
This match will celebrate inclusivity within cricket and support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which will include rainbow stumps, flags and in-ground activations.
The Club are also partnering with First Bus again to offer ticket holders free bus travel to and from The Cloud County Ground. Ticket holders can find further information in their Match Pack which we be sent by email to the ticket purchaser on Thursday.
At the innings break, four spectators will compete in the Thatchers Apple Roll challenge. To be in with a chance of taking part, enter here.
Prospect of Play
We are aware of inclement weather over Chelmsford throughout the day and advise keeping up to date on the match via our social media for the latest updates on play. The decision on play will be made by the match officials during the evening and not from either teams or the Club.
A wet weather policy is in place for Vitality Blast matches which can be reviewed IF the game is abandoned without a result.
If due to adverse weather conditions, 10 completed overs play or less is possible on the day of the match and the match has not been completed or a result obtained, the Club would refund the full ticket price (minus administration fee) to the purchaser without need for application. Wherever possible, the refund will be made to the credit/debit card used for payment.
Blast Pass Holders would be refunded on a pro rata basis at the culmination of the competition.
Gates Opening Times:
Gates will open at 5pm and spectators can enter the ground at the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate, located via Sky Blue Pastures. This is the closest entrance to Chelmsford City Centre and the Bus and Train stations.
Spectators are advised to arrive early to allow ample time to enter the ground and locate your seat. Bag checks will be in operation on entry to the ground and security will be present throughout the fixture.
Matchday Timings:
Gates Open: 5pm
Toss: 6:30pm
First Innings: 7pm – 8:15pm
Interval: 8:15pm – 8:30pm
Second Innings: 8:30pm – 9:45pm
In-Ground Entertainment:
• New for 2024 is the Essex Fanzone, where supporters can purchases drinks, enjoy the beer garden and soak up the atmosphere.
• Look out for Eddie and Ellie the Eagles who will on the concourse from 5pm with an opportunity for selfies!
• Pick up your 4/6 cards on the gates when you arrive, plus your Blast glasses, t-shirts and activity books for our young Eagles fans.
• Thanks to our Principal Partners Woodland Group, junior fans will have the chance to win a T20 replica shirt and be our Young Eagle of the Match.
• At the innings break, two pairs of spectators will compete in the Thatchers Apple Roll challenge. To be in with a chance of taking part, enter here. To enter you must be a ticket holder and be over the age of 18.
Matchday Purchases:
The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes all food and drink purchases in the Doug Insole Pavilion and concourse areas. The Essex Cricket Store is located behind the Doug Insole Pavilion and is the only location which accepts both card and cash payments.
Accessibility:
Accessible parking:
Due to increased demand on parking spaces, there are a very limited number of spaces located at The Cloud County Ground on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with accessibility requirements are recommended, where possible, to take advantage of our drop off system where cars can drop passengers with accessibility requirements and their companions as close to the gate as possible.
Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating is located in The Kenton Group Stand and in Block 1 of the Tom Pearce Stand Lower 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).
New toilets are open for all spectators by Block 31, which includes wheelchair accessible cubicles. A Changing Places facility are also available by the Graham Gooch Cricket Centre
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 extending it’s opening times until 11pm.
• Essex Members are able to pre-book parking at Meteor Way car park for £2. It is essential to pre-book online as spaces on the day cannot be guaranteed. Book your parking space here.
Public Transport:
• Essex Cricket have recently announced a partnership with First Bus. Ticket holders will be able to claim free bus travel on the day of the fixture. A code to claim the free travel within the First Bus app will be circulated via the Match Pack sent on Thursday.
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. This area accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.
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 will be in use throughout the Vitality Blast. Seating in the Eagles Area is unallocated and on a first-come-first-served basis. You will not be able to enter the Eagles Area if you have bought an allocated ticket. There is also a section of unallocated seating in Block 26a.
• 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 27, 28 and 29 are strictly alcohol-free. If you are seated in those Blocks 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.
• 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.
• Public 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.
• Fab Little Bag dispensers are located in all female and unisex toilets to allow an easy, discreet and environmentally friendly disposal of sanitary products.
• The Club has installed a faith and reflection room. This is available to spectators throughout the duration of the match and is located within the Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.
• There is a sensory and family room situated near the Tees River Gate. Should you need to use it, please contact your nearest steward.
• The Medical Centre is located opposite the Main Entrance. If you require medical attention please make your way there or contact your nearest steward.
Food & Drink:
• The Food Court is located in the blue area of the ground by the Essex Cricket Store where Anne’s Pantry will be offering a variety of food, including gourmet burgers, bratwurst and hog roast.
• The Greedy Vegan food van will be at the ground, serving a wide variety of vegan meals including loaded fries, vegan hot dogs and mac and cheese.
• Enjoy a range of spirits and cocktails at the Gin & Fizz bar by the Essex Fanzone.
• The Level Head Bar returns for 2024 in the Essex Fanzone and is the perfect space to relax with a drink in the beer garden and soak in the atmosphere.
• A new addition for this year is the 152 Bar. Located in the Essex Fanzone, the bar celebrates the heroics of Graham Napier’s world record innings and the most memorable T20 innings ever played at Chelmsford.
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be welcoming Members with valid tickets 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 homemade curries and other hot meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located at the Graham Gooch and Sir Alastair Cook ends as well as in the Food Court.
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 Spinner’s Bar.
• Spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the ground for Vitality Blast fixtures. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed providing there is no glass or sharp objects, including cutlery.
• 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:
During T20 fixtures, spectators are not allowed to re-enter the ground after leaving.
At the conclusion of the game, we ask that spectators 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 to watch the action
Fans can watch a live stream of the action via the Essex Cricket Matchzone where replays and statistics will also be available.
Commentary on the game will be provided by BBC Essex radio and can be accessed via the live stream or the BBC website.
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm | Sunday 07 July, 2:30pm
After a mid-group stage break for two rounds of the Vitality County Championship, the drama and breakneck speed of the Vitality Blast returns with six games over the course of the next two weeks.
The first two of those, for Essex, are a home clash with last season’s final opponents Somerset and a long trip west to Cardiff to take on Glamorgan.
The return to shortest-format action comes after Anthony McGrath’s side won their last two matches before the red-ball break, seeing off Hampshire Hawks at home and Kent Spitfires on the road.
Now, the Eagles will aim to bounce back from a Championship defeat to Surrey by maintaining their push for a third quarter-final in three years.
Squad
Head Coach McGrath has named a 12-player squad for the two matches.
Eathan Bosch, who has replaced Daniel Sams as Essex’s second T20 Blast overseas player, will be available from the home T20 match against Kent Spitfires on Thursday 11 July.
He joined the Club after a period of limited match practice, and subsequently, his workload is being managed following back-to-back Championship games.
The Opposition: Somerset
Defending champions Somerset may not quite have hit the highs this year of their record-breaking 2023 season, but they remain a strong force in the Blast.
Still in the mix to do what no English county has ever done before and defend their trophy, the West Country outfit currently sit third in the South Group, with five wins from their eight games.
Jason Kerr’s side initially suffered a patchy start to their campaign, with two losses from their opening three games, but the four-match winning streak that followed put them right back into contention.
Big-hitting young left-hander Will Smeed is their leading run-scorer, with his 236 narrowly putting him ahead of Tom Banton’s 231, while Ben Green has continued to be in the wickets, with 15 scalps so far.
Somerset squad:Lewis Gregory*, Will Smeed, Tom Banton, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, Roelof van der Merwe, Ben Green, Josh Davey, Riley Meredith, Jake Ball, Jack Leach, Alfie Ogborne
Last Time We Met: Somerset
The two sides last met in May, as part of the Vitality Blast Off that launched the 2024 season, though it was a tough outing for the Eagles in Taunton as Somerset triumphed by four wickets.
Put in after losing the toss, Essex racked up what many thought could be a competitive score with 193-6, as Dean Elgar struck his first shortest-format Eagles fifty with 77 off 51.
The visitors kept themselves in contention for much of the chase, as Aaron Beard bowled well for 2/11 from three overs and Paul Walter picked up 2/28 from four.
However, a late surge from Tom Abell, who underpinned the innings with a 36-ball 55, and Lewis Gregory, who made 44 from 20, got the hosts over the line with five balls to spare.
The Opposition: Glamorgan
In contrast to the often-competitive Somerset, historically, things have been considerably more fallow in the Blast just across the Severn Estuary in Glamorgan.
The Welsh county are one of only five sides never to have won the competition, and are currently on a barren run of six consecutive seasons without a quarter-final spot.
There is little sign that that run might end any time soon, either, as they currently sit seventh in the South Group with just two wins and five defeats, five points off the top four.
Sam Northeast’s 216 runs mark him out as their leading batter, while Mason Crane has taken 12 wickets to top those standings ahead of the 10 claimed by Dan Douthwaite.
Glamorgan squad:TBC
Last Time We Met: Glamorgan
It was a heart-stopping affair the last time the Eagles encountered Glamorgan four weeks ago, with 19-year-old Luc Benkenstein’s batting proving crucial in securing a two-wicket win at home.
In Essex’s first floodlit outing at The Cloud County Ground in this season’s Blast, the hosts won the toss and elected to chase, with Glamorgan being restricted to 166-8 despite Colin Ingram’s 52 from 29.
Daniel Sams opened the innings with a wicket maiden on his way to 3/28, while Paul Walter collected 3/33, and the total felt very light once Adam Rossington had leathered 48 off 24 to start the chase.
A mid-innings stumble reduced the hosts to 106-7, but the prodigious Benkenstein, who hit an unbeaten 35 off 21, hung on to eventually reel off the winning four with eight balls to spare.
South Group Table
How To Watch
If you are not able to attend either or both matches, each will be live-streamed – on the usual EssexCricketTV YouTube channel and through the Essex Cricket Matchzone on Friday and then on hosts Glamorgan’s channel on Sunday afternoon.
A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of each game, while live updates and highlights from both will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.
Tickets
A final handful of tickets remain available for the Somerset fixture on Friday, with prices starting at £33 for adults, £28 for young adults and students, and £10 for juniors.
The Kenton Group Stand at the Graham Gooch End of the ground is the designated family stand for this year’s Vitality Blast, with blocks 27-29 being alcohol-free and blocks 30 & 31 being the alcohol-tolerant family area.
Seats are in more plentiful supply for Sunday afternoon’s fixture in the Welsh capital, with all tickets, which start at an advance price of £18 for adults, £10 for students, and £3 for under-17s, being sold as general admission.
The few tickets that remain for the home game with Somerset are available on this link:
Meanwhile, tickets for the trip to Glamorgan can be purchased by clicking this link:
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
Fresh from a Finals Day appearance last summer, Essex are now back in Vitality Blast action for 2024.
With the Eagles sitting fourth in the South Group and firmly in contention for another knockout match, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As Essex continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – buy here(FINAL FEW TICKETS) Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
Daniel Sams has been ruled out of the remainder of Essex’s Vitality Blast campaign this summer due to a knee injury.
Sams, who returned for a third Blast stint at The Cloud County Ground after being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 tournament, sustained the injury against Sussex Sharks two weeks ago.
With that injury’s severity now clear, the decision has been taken for Sams to play no further part in this year’s Blast, and he has now returned home to Australia.
“It’s been great [to come back here],” said Sams. “My wife and I really enjoy coming back here, and we’ve made some really good friends with the guys and their partners.
“It is what it is. I’ve been pretty lucky throughout my career with injuries, so I’ll just have to go home now and recover as best as I can.”
Essex return to shortest-format action on Friday 05 July, with a return fixture against last season’s final opponents Somerset at The Cloud County Ground.
From there, Anthony McGrath’s men host further games against Kent Spitfires and Surrey, as well as facing trips to Glamorgan, Sussex Sharks, and Hampshire Hawks.
Sunday 30 June – Wednesday 03 July 2024 | 11am start
Team News
Essex: Dean Elgar, Nick Browne, Tom Westley*, Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Paul Walter, Michael Pepper+, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Eathan Bosch, Jamie Porter
Surrey: Rory Burns*, Dom Sibley, Sai Sudharsan, Jamie Smith, Ben Foakes+, Dan Lawrence, Ryan Patel, Jordan Clark, Tom Lawes, James Taylor, Dan Worrall
Match Details
Umpires: Peter Hartley & Graham Lloyd Match Referee: James Whitaker Scorers: Debbie Beesley & Paul Parkinson Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bowl first Result: Surrey won by 145 runs
Battling half-centuries from Paul Walter and Dean Elgar were not enough to rescue Essex from falling to a gutting 145-run defeat to Surrey on the final day at The Kia Oval.
Despite the considerable fight shown by the Eagles on the last day, with a requirement of 361 runs for a win or 96 overs to bat out for a draw, the visitors were bowled out for 215 shortly before 5pm.
Elgar battled to 60, while Walter made 56, but Essex, having resumed on 21-2, were ultimately unable to hold out as Tom Lawes returned figures of 4/26.
At first, there was genuine reason to believe that the Eagles might be about to battle through, with Elgar and captain Tom Westley surviving throughout a truncated morning session and beyond lunch.
Just as they had done against Durham a week previously, the duo steadfastly blocked out whatever Surrey were throwing at them, and also once got lucky as Elgar was shelled by Dom Sibley in the slips.
However, a crucial turning point came shortly before 2:00pm as Lawes struck twice in two balls to see off Westley and Matt Critchley, both via Ben Foakes catches behind the stumps.
Damaging as those blows were, that still left Elgar unbeaten at the crease, and he continued to graft on, now with Walter for company, passing fifty via a flicked three towards the long leg-side fence.
Despite passing that milestone, the former South Africa Test captain was eventually uprooted after swiping a Dan Worrall bouncer to Sai Sudharsan just in from the square leg boundary.
Walter aimed to take up the mantle, and indeed alongside Michael Pepper either side of tea, looked to take the attack back to Surrey, swiping several fours to put on 64 for the sixth wicket in just 65 balls.
It was the tea interruption that did for Pepper, though, as he fell six deliveries after the restart, and when Walter followed, the end was ultimately nigh to a swift conclusion despite the light drawing in.
Day Three Highlights
Day Three Reaction: Jamie Porter
Day Three Report
Jamie Porter hit the milestone of 500 first-class wickets on Day Three against Surrey at The Kia Oval, but Essex were left facing a fight to rescue the sides’ Vitality County Championship clash.
Porter hit the landmark shortly after tea, a full 3,584 days since he took his maiden first-class scalp in September 2014, as Jordan Clark swatted a short ball to Eathan Bosch at third.
The celebration, however, was somewhat forcibly muted by circumstance, as Surrey, having resumed their second innings on 44-3, ultimately went on to post 278 all out as Ryan Patel hit 107.
That meant Essex were set 361 to win, and enormous though the task may be, Dean Elgar at least fought back somewhat by remaining unbeaten to stumps, seeing the visitors to 21-2.
Despite the claggy conditions, play still resumed on time, though rain did still define the early part of the day as Jamie Smith and Ben Foakes battled through multiple interruptions.
At one point, one of the resumptions was for a grand total of one ball, but – following an early lunch being taken at 12:45pm – a longer-term restart was at least possible just before 2:00pm.
Smith wasted little time in passing 50 for the second time in the game, though Foakes’ innings would proceed no further than 13, as he chopped Shane Snater to Simon Harmer at second slip.
Sai Sudharsan hung around with Smith for a little longer, but he too was unable to build on his early efforts as he edged Bosch to Michael Pepper for 12, just one over after Smith himself had gone for 70.
It was Paul Walter’s first ball, via an Aaron Beard catch, that finally did for new England recruit Smith, but that only served to bring Patel to the crease.
His swashbuckling approach served Surrey well, shepherding the tail to ultimately pass three figures in 122 balls and set Essex a far more challenging target than they otherwise would have faced.
Matt Critchley finally uprooted him for 107, ending the Surrey innings, and giving the Eagles 12 overs to face at the end of the day, with The Kia Oval by now bathed in surprisingly bright sunlight.
The home attack snared the wickets of Nick Browne and nightwatcher Bosch, though Elgar battled through with typical grit to at least force the Surrey bowlers to regroup ahead of tomorrow’s final day.
Day Two Highlights
Day Two Reaction: Anthony McGrath
Day Two Report
Another Paul Walter half-century followed by a slew of late wickets kept Essex fighting strongly against Surrey in the sides’ Vitality County Championship top-of-the-table tussle at The Kia Oval.
After the hosts had been bowled out for 262, Walter passed fifty for the second innings in succession following his century at home to Durham last week to haul the Eagles to a first-innings total of 180.
On an eventful day, bad light then interrupted the Surrey second dig twice, with the second being enough to draw a premature halt to proceedings, leaving the hosts on 44-3, a lead of 126.
With events unfolding overnight that saw Jordan Cox ruled out of the remainder of the game, Day Two began with Surrey on their overnight 248-8 as Essex set about the task of cleaning them up quickly.
The Eagles did exactly that as, in just 3.2 overs of using the second new ball, Shane Snater took both, first by having an advancing Tom Lawes held at slip by Simon Harmer before he bowled James Taylor.
Cox’s predicament meant that Essex would have to play through both of their innings a man down, but batting a place higher did not trouble Walter or Matt Critchley.
Having come together with Essex 45-3, the pair calmly doubled the score to allay any fears of a collapse, with both scoring noticeably freely after getting their respective eyes in.
The 50 partnership was brought up in just 60 balls, though Critchley was dismissed shortly afterwards while two shy of his half-century.
Walter battled on, even after bravely copping one on the arm from Jordan Clark, and received some support from Harmer and Eathan Bosch, which was enough to see him reach his 50 in 74 balls.
He did so via a four off Tom Lawes that involved Dan Lawrence shelling a simple chance, though his eventual dismissal for 64 precipitated the end, with the final wicket falling for just one more run.
Facing a first-innings deficit of 82, the Eagles seamers each put on a yard of pace and Jamie Porter secured joy early on by beating Dom Sibley’s outside edge and hitting his off stump for 11.
Shane Snater then followed up three overs later by having Harmer take a simple chest-high catch to remove home captain Rory Burns for 8, prior to the first interruption for low light levels.
The temporary resumption only lasted two overs, but that was enough for Bosch, in his second Essex appearance, to claim the wicket of Lawrence, who offered no shot and was pinned lbw for 10.
However, despite Essex hoping for further wickets, the light again dipped below an acceptable level, and the umpires took the players off once more, this time for much longer.
A short, four-over resumption was possible at the very end of the day after a small improvement, though there were no further wickets becoming for the Essex bowlers as Jamie Smith and Ben Foakes nervously tiptoed to the close.
Day One Highlights
Day One Report
Jamie Smith produced the perfect dress-rehearsal for his England debut on day one of their top of the table clash with Essex at The Kia Oval.
Named this morning as the only wicketkeeper in England’s 14 for the first Test against the West Indies a week on Wednesday, Smith struck his second century of the season, making exactly 100 with two sixes and 14 fours, as the hosts reached 248-8 on a rain-shortened day in south London.
Smith’s heroics apart, Surrey’s batters struggled against some probing bowling, South African quick Eathan Bosch returning 3-52 in only his second appearance for the county.
Play began on time after morning drizzle but only two overs were possible before the rain returned, forcing the players from the field until after an early lunch.
The delay helped the hosts who had been asked to bat first under slate grey skies which had largely dissipated by the early afternoon.
Even so former England opener Dominic Sibley produced a mixture of crisp drives off his pads with plenty of playing and missing outside off stump, and was given a life on 10 when Jamie Porter shelled one at backward point, Shane Snater the unlucky bowler.
The spill wasn’t overly expensive as Sibley reached only 24 before swishing one from Bosch to Dean Elgar at first slip.
Dan Lawrence, also named in the England squad, fluffed his lines, producing one glorious cover drive before fencing at one from Bosch which bounced a bit off a length caught the edge and flew to Simon Harmer’s giant hands at second slip.
Harmer would spill a more routine chance to reprieve Rory Burns on 25, Snater again the luckless bowler, but like Sibley before him the Surrey skipper didn’t cash in, nicking one from Paul Walter in the next over to Michael Pepper behind the stumps.
His dismissal brought Ben Foakes to the crease, the wicketkeeper, not for the first time, callously cast aside by Rob Key in favour of his teammate Smith. Tellingly, Surrey named Foakes as keeper despite Smith’s promotion to the role in the national side. Smith has only kept wicket twice for Surrey this season, one of those appearances coming in Foakes’ absence.
Fate dictated the two men would bat together though not for long, Foakes, understandably deflated edging through to Pepper to give Bosch a third wicket.
Smith though stood firm, demonstrating his ability to be a 360-player, punching and caressing fours through cover and punishing anything on his legs both backward and forward of square.
A ninth four crunched square took him to 50 in 70 balls as he and Sai Sudharsan shared a stand of 70, the Indian youngster’s contribution to which was 13.
The stand would be broken in strange circumstances. Porter was forced off the field mid-over after appearing to dislocate a finger. Walter took up the cause for the visitors and two balls later found the edge of Sudharsan’s bat, Harmer providing safe hands at slip.
Nothing though was going to derail Smith from a day of destiny, the 23-year-old twice clearing the ropes on the way to a century sealed by a quickly run single.
Job done, he left the stage to the next delivery he faced, castled after missing a straight one in Matt Critchley’s first over.
Jordan Clark didn’t detain us for long and Ryan Patel’s burgeoning innings was cut short by the first ball of a new spell from Snater which pierced his defence.
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
Fresh from a Finals Day appearance last summer, Essex are now back in Vitality Blast action for 2024.
With the Eagles sitting fourth in the South Group and firmly in contention for another knockout match, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As Essex continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – SOLD OUT Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
A swift Jasmine Westley half-century was not enough for Essex to chase down a tough Middlesex total in the sides’ Women’s County 50-Over clash at Coggeshall Town CC.
Westley struck 64 in just 57 balls, and captain Kelly Castle’s 31 chipped in along with some other solid cameos, but the visitors’ imposing 308-5 proved a bridge too far as Essex could only muster 227.
The Seaxes’ total was underpinned by opener Saskia Horley’s 89 and Natasha Miles’ 69 not out, with their efforts hoisting Middlesex to a big score in spite of Grace Poole’s 2/63.
Visiting captain Issy Routledge won the toss and elected to bat first, and opening alongside Horley, she ensured Middlesex began on the front foot, with a sizeable opening partnership of 142 in 22 overs.
Contained within that was Horley’s half-century, which she reached in the tenth over from 33 balls, having hit 13 fours.
Sally Chapman finally secured the breakthrough for Essex, seeing Horley caught by Jasmine Westley to end her 73-ball stay, though the pair of Routledge and Miles conspired to push the total past 150.
A piece of excellent fielding from Katherine Speed ran out the visiting skipper while she was four short of her fifty, but another good stand between Miles and Riva Pindoria continued to accumulate runs.
Pindoria fell to a Scarlett Hughes catch off the bowling of Tilly Callaghan for 49 from 45, before Poole picked up the first of her brace in the next over by seeing Sonali Patel held by Castle for a duck.
That was moments before Miles went to a 69-ball fifty that contained six fours, with Middlesex scoring runs at such a rate that their challenge from that point being to see if they could post 300.
Their efforts to do so were dented when Poole struck again, bowling Georgia Irving for a run-a-ball 13, though Miles and Artemis Downer did manage to achieve the aim, and more, with a 10-run final over.
It was regular wickets that meant Essex, for all the effort they put in, struggled to match the required rate, though Westley, batting at three, did lead the initial charge.
Her half-century, which came up in the 17th over from just 35 balls, kept the Eagles in contention, as did her fifty partnership with Callaghan, who supported her well for 19.
However, the rate continued to creep upwards, with even Castle’s swift 31 unable to bring the requirement under 10 per over by the 40th.
Speed and Sophia Mitchell did what they could, but when both fell, the end was nigh, and it finally came with a little under five overs to go with the last wicket, at the hands of Horley.
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
Fresh from a Finals Day appearance last summer, Essex are now back in Vitality Blast action for 2024.
With the Eagles sitting fourth in the South Group and firmly in contention for another knockout match, demand for tickets remains exceptionally high.
As Essex continue to aim towards going one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – SOLD OUT Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
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