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Match Report: Battle of the Bridge Women’s T20 Showcase

Posted on Monday 3 July 2023

Kent Women v Essex Women

Battle of the Bridge Women’s T20
Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence
Team News:

Kent: Charlotte Pape, Alexa Stonehouse, Coco Streets, Megan Belt (c), Genevieve Jeer, Tilly Corteen Coleman, Olivia Barnes, Jodie Hobson, Emily Barrett (wk), Alice Grant, Sydney Gorham.

Essex: Grace Poole, Hollie Dring-Richardson, Catherine Dalton, Jessica Bird, Kelly Castle (c), Matilda Callaghan, Katherine Speed, Bella Johnson, Yasmin Daswani (wk), Sally Chapman, Prisha Bedi.

Match Details:

Umpires: Gary Colville & Chris Saunders
Toss: Kent won and elected to bowl
Result: Kent Spitfires won by 7 wickets

Scorecard: View Here

Photo: Oyster Bay Photography

Match Reaction: Kelly Castle

Match Report:

The Essex bowling attack gave a valiant fightback after being bowled out for 109 against Kent in Canterbury. The Horses chased down the Eagles’ total to win the Battle of the Bridge by three wickets at a floodlit T20 showcase at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence.

Essex reached 109/5 & set a victory target at under a run a ball, before the Kent batters chased down the required 110 in 18 overs.

On an originally overcast evening at the home of Kent Cricket, Kent Women skipper Megan Belt won the toss & elected to field in what seemed to be ideal bowling conditions.

That decision was proved right when Alexa Stonehouse bowled Hollie Dring-Richardson with the second ball of the match, going on to only concede one run from the first over.

The Eagles found the boundary rope for the first time in the third over; Poole, who had been dropped in the second over by Pape, pulled hard into the off side for four runs.

Whilst Poole scored another four in the fourth over, Cath Dalton was finding it harder to find the gap in Kent’s field placements – until eventually smartly cutting to dissect the fielders in the fifth.

Dalton was then put down by Genevieve Jeer trying to pull Stonehouse into the covers, with Poole then smashing Kent’s left-armer into the ad boards by the Kennedy gates for the first six of the evening.

Dalton survived a chance when Sydney Gorham came on to bowl her right-arm medium pace from the Pavilion End, the Essex batter ‘chopping on’, but fortunately for her, she turned around to see the ball race away to the fine leg boundary.
Gorham would get her revenge – rapping Poole on the pads two deliveries to send the Essex batter back into the Pavilion for 17 – Essex reaching 37/2 after the powerplay.

Jess Bird made a bright start coming in at four, hitting three boundaries in quick succession. The visitors bought up their 50 inside the 8th over, but a heavy rain shower sent the players off the field at 18:27.

20 minutes later play got underway again under what were now blue skies and sunshine – the epitome of the weather situation throughout the afternoon – Alice Grant picking up where Kent had left off, bowling Bird for 14, & motoring on to a precious wicket maiden for her first over with the ball.

A wonderful diving stop in the field from Belt in the first ball of the 11th came after Essex had reached 55/3 after ten, who then bought herself on to bowl from the Nackington Road End, but was met by boundaries from both Dalton & Castle – a ploy that would come to haunt the visitors – as Dalton picked out Tilly Corteen-Coleman at long on for 22.

Castle tried to put up the run rate, smashing Grant for six over cow corner in the 15th, before dealing the same punishment to Megan Belt into the on side in the next over.

She was then dropped by Coco Streets, a tough diving chance from the bowling of Olivia Barnes, as Essex looked to accelerate in the final four overs of their innings. That however proved to not be an expensive missed chance, as Jodie Hobson took a wonderful running catch at deep midwicket two deliveries later to send Castle back in the hutch for 28.

Essex were made to feel the pressure by watchful Kentish fielding – another good diving stop to prevent runs came from Barnes in the 19th over, before Essex reached the three-figure mark with only 1.4 overs left of their innings.

The visitors climbed to 109/5 after 20 overs. Alice Grant was the pick of Horses bowlers, her four overs getting figures of 4-1-15-1.

Kent got their reply off to a steady start – Charlotte Pape, making her first Kent appearance at home since 2017, crunched a single off the first ball, with Alexa Stonehouse getting the same result from her first ball faced, too.

Pape executed a deft cut to split point & backwards point for the Horses’ first boundary in the second over – crashing another four with the next delivery past a diving Cath Dalton at mid off.

Hollie Dring-Richardson seemed to struggle with the St Lawrence slope in her first over – conceding five wide balls, before recovering exceedingly well – executing a deft caught and bowled to see the end of Alexa Stonehouse for 4.

Pape reached the boundary for the fifth time as Katherine Speed came on to bowl, expertly pulling past the fielders, before smashing a six over deep square leg & deep point with successive deliveries.

Coco Streets, able assisting Pape batting at three, bought up the Horses’ 50-run mark with a sweep to the fine leg boundary for four, past the diving fielder.

Pape showed no signs of letting up her aggression – smacking Prisha Bedi for successive fours in the eight over in the leg side, before picking out Bird in the deep to see Kent 63/2 & needing 47 for victory.

Excellent running from Streets & her new batting partner Emily Barrett helped the Horses stay well above the required rate – at the halfway point, Kent were only needing 33 to win, helped along the way by a well-timed straight drive past Bedi from Barrett.

Streets fell to a questionable LBW appeal from Grace Poole for 15 from 23, & Barrett then fell to a good high catch from Dring-Richardson also for 15.

Hobson was also out LBW to Poole for 1 – with Kent now needing 15 to win in six overs with five wickets remaining.

Elysa Hubbard bought up the Kent 100 with a cover drive in the 15th over but was out to Bedi LBW from the last ball of the 16th – Genevieve Jeer was then bowled in the first ball of the 17th to leave Kent 105/7.

Megan Belt survived a run-out chance as things got tense deep into the death overs, but the crucial remaining runs were acquired by the Horses skipper with two overs to spare.

Sally Chapman finished with figures of two for 13, Grace Poole two for 18.

 

Match Preview: Essex Women v Kent Women

Posted on Monday 3 July 2023

 

ESSEX WOMEN v KENT WOMEN
BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE T20
THE SPITFIRE GROUND, ST LAWRENCE
MONDAY 03 JULY, 6:00PM

 

Essex Women are in action in the Battle of the Bridge T20 on Monday evening, as they travel to Canterbury to take on Kent.

Though officially a friendly fixture, there are undoubted bragging rights on the line between the two rivals, with Essex aiming to back up last year’s performance in the Battle of the Bridge that saw them win by three wickets at Chelmsford.

Kelly Castle’s side won two of their four completed matches in the Women’s County T20, with the fifth being rained off, and Monday’s match will be their final outing in the shortest format in 2023.

They come into tonight’s clash in good form, though, having won their two most recent games in the London Championship 50-over competition, including one against none other than Kent.

SQUAD
Squad Graphic
THE OPPOSITION

Megan Belt (c), Sydney Gorham, Megan Sturge, Grace Scrivens, Charlotte Pape, Darcey Carter, Alexa Stonehouse, Genevieve Jeer, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Olivia Barnes, Jodie Hobson, Emily Barrett, Coco Streets, Alice Grant.

Captain: Megan Belt
2022 Women’s County T20 finish: 2nd in Group 6
2023 leading T20 run-scorer: Sarah Bryce (54)
2023 leading T20 wicket-taker: Kalea Moore (5)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Essex’s Cath Dalton has been in fine form with the bat in 2023, scoring 231 runs at 38.5 across her six all-format innings this summer.

The undoubted highlight was a sparkling century in a 30-run London Championship win over tonight’s opponents, though six days earlier she also amassed a fifty in a 48-run win over Surrey.

In addition, Grace Poole hit an unbeaten half-century in that latter clash, and she has also been the visitors’ top performer with the ball, taking ten wickets in four games, including 5/49 in the same Surrey match.

Prisha Bedi and Sally Chapman are close behind with nine and eight scalps, respectively, and could yet overtake Poole depending on the trio’s performances in Essex’s final two scheduled fixtures.

Meanwhile, Kent come into the clash having named neither of leading 2023 T20 run-scorer Sarah Bryce nor top wicket-taker Kalea Moore in their squad.

Both are currently playing in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for The Blaze and South East Stars, respectively, though Emily Barrett, who hit 74 just two days ago in a London Championship match against Sussex, is included.

Megan Sturge also hit 36 in the same competition in the defeat to Essex, while captain and namesake Megan Belt has four scalps in four 2023 outings, including a return of 2/23 from 10 overs in the Sussex game on Saturday.

LAST TIME OUT

The 2022 edition of the Battle of the Bridge was played at The Cloud County Ground, with hosts Essex prevailing by three wickets in their chase in thrilling fashion.

Put in, Kent made a solid start and had reached 62/1 by the halfway stage of their innings, before the introduction of Jasmine Westley changed proceedings dramatically.

Seamer Westley took two back-to-back wickets in her second over, the innings’13th, before going one better with a hat-trick in her next.

Coupled with a scalp for Bella Howarth, which came in between Westley’s one-woman destruction of Kent’s batting line-up, the visitors collapsed from 75/2 to 86/8 in the space of 18 balls.

Westley’s last over was a maiden, completing her figures of 4-1-12-5, before she took a catch on the leg side off spinner Emily Dack to wrap the Kent innings up, with the visitors having totalled 109 all out.

Essex Women
In response, Essex overcame two early wickets as Cath Dalton and Jess Bird put on 65 for the third wicket, during which the former reached a 43-ball half-century in the 14th over.

At 85-3 and requiring 25 from 30 balls, the visitors were on track, though Tilly Corteen-Coleman took two wickets in the 16th to check the progress being made, before Dack and Grace Poole took the score to 100.

That left seven to win from the last over, and even as Dack fell to Hannah Gorham from the first ball of it, Westley, alongside Howarth, ticked off the runs to bring the need down to two off the final ball before a dramatic finish.

Gorham bowled a wide to Howarth, tying the scores, but wicketkeeper Megan Sturge’s stumping attempt failed, as even with Westley halfway down the pitch, Howarth was still in her ground.

That left a run-out at the bowler’s end as Kent’s only option, but Sturge’s throw was wayward, enabling Howarth to sneak through, complete the bye, and return for an embrace with Westley to celebrate a memorable victory.

 

One Day Cup: Group A Preview

Posted on Monday 3 July 2023

Essex get their 2023 One Day Cup campaign under way with a trip to Sedbergh to face Lancashire at the beginning of August. In the ensuing three weeks, Anthony McGrath’s men will host Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Middlesex, and Surrey at Chelmsford, alongside also travelling to Hampshire, Leicestershire, and Kent.

Tickets are available for the competition, set during the school summer holidays, with tickets costing just £5 for Juniors and £16 for adults.

buytickets

With a little over a month until that tournament begins, here’s a look at how the eight teams that will join Essex in Group A of the competition are shaping up.

Essex:
2022 captain: Tom Westley
2022 finish: 6th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Grant Roelofsen (355)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Shane Snater (14)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Dan Lawrence, Adam Rossington, Michael Pepper (London Spirit), Paul Walter (Manchester Originals), Sam Cook (Trent Rockets)

The big question: Can Essex be more consistent? They won three matches last season in a row, and all by huge margins, but two pairs of defeats either side of that run undermined a push for the knockout stages. However, two of those losses did come by the narrow margin of three wickets as well, so it feels like the potential for a more successful campaign is not at all far off.

Key players: Simon Harmer was missed in last year’s tournament, being unavailable due to international commitments. However, this time around, he should be fully available, adding real quality to the Essex line-up. At the top of the order, Feroze Khushi and Tom Westley had productive 2022 seasons, both scoring north of 300 runs, and given the latter’s red-ball form so far this season, hopes are high that he in particular can replicate that.

Wildcard watch: Robin Das has been in good form in the T20 Blast this term, striking 258 runs with two fifties, at a strike rate above 150. He will add firepower to the Essex middle order, and a useful finisher is a valuable role in one-day cricket.

Final thought: After the emergence of the next rank of Eagles stars in 2023, how they have developed over the past year with more first team exposure will be key. With Simon Harmer and Matt Critchley available for this year’s tournament, the youngsters will a greater wealth of experience to look up to, which can only bode well.

 
Hampshire:
2022 captain: Nick Gubbins
2022 finish: Semi-finalists
2022 leading run-scorer: Tom Prest (402)
2022 leading wicket-taker: John Turner (20)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2018)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Liam Dawson, Mason Crane, Chris Wood (London Spirit), Ross Whiteley (Oval Invincibles), Brad Wheal (Trent Rockets), James Vince, James Fuller, Joe Weatherley (Southern Brave)

The big question: Can Hampshire back up their exceptionally strong showing last time out with a better performance in the knockout stages? After winning seven of their eight group games, the Ageas Bowl outfit breezed through to the semi-finals, but found themselves undone by a Darren Stevens-inspired Kent at home. The younger players in their squad are a year older and wiser on the back of that disappointment last summer, and hopes should be high of an ability to go further this time around.

Key players: Seamer John Turner took the second-most wickets of anyone in the 2022 competition, including two five-wicket hauls, as he played in all nine of Hampshire’s matches. His partner in crime was Scott Currie, who picked up 18 scalps himself, and has had his burgeoning talent evidenced by an increase in T20 Blast appearances this season. With the bat, Tom Prest will be looking to back up a sterling 402 runs last season, while the more experienced Nick Gubbins will no doubt have a part to play too.

Wildcard watch: Hampshire had a remarkably settled squad in last season’s competition, using just 13 players across their nine games, so there are not many wildcards in sight. That said, keep watching out for Fletcha Middleton, a young local batter whose assured showings in this year’s County Championship so far suggest he might be in for a profitable One-Day Cup campaign.

Final thought: Hampshire undoubtedly have a core of quality talent surrounded by up-and-coming youngsters, which is a very positive formula to have. Their problem will be the mental block – can they find it in themselves to repeat last year’s feats after falling so agonisingly short of making it to the final?

 
Kent Spitfires:
2022 captain: Joe Denly
2022 finish: Winners
2022 leading run-scorer: Ollie Robinson (534)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Hamidullah Qadri (15)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2022)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Zak Crawley (London Spirit), Sam Billings, Jordan Cox (Oval Invincibles)

The big question: Might Kent be able to go back-to-back? Last season’s winners did it the hard way, winning just two of their first five matches prior to going on a perfect run in their next five that took them all the way to the trophy. However, the loss of both last season’s leading run-scorer Ollie Robinson and the mountains of experience brought by the now-retired Darren Stevens will make things a little more difficult for them.

Key players: All-rounder Joey Evison played a match-winning role in the final at his former home of Trent Bridge last season. That showing backed up an impressive debut campaign in Canterbury that saw him hit 330 runs and take seven wickets, and he has the ability to make a similar impact this time around. Meanwhile, amongst players in the One-Day Cup, Joe Denly possesses the rare virtue of international experience, and his undoubted quality with the bat could have a real impact in Robinson’s absence too.

Wildcard watch: Tawanda Muyeye is steadily making a name for himself on the county circuit across formats, and although he didn’t have a particularly sparkling One-Day Cup campaign last season, his ability is being proven with every passing match. He is Kent’s third-highest run-scorer in the T20 Blast this season, and also bowled a spell of tidy off-spin in last year’s 50-over competition.

Final thought: Kent face an uphill battle to retain their trophy after the impactful losses of Robinson and Stevens, though there is still hope if the likes of Denly and Evison have good tournaments. They must have a stronger start than they did last season as well, but if they can do that, the possibility of another good showing is there.

Kent tasted One-Day Cup glory last year but have since lost two key players

Kent tasted One-Day Cup glory last year but have since lost two key players

 
Lancashire:
2022 captain: Keaton Jennings
2022 finish: Runners-up
2022 leading run-scorer: Keaton Jennings (390)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Liam Hurt (15)
Knockout stage appearances: 2 (2019, 2022)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Tom Hartley, Richard Gleeson (Manchester Originals), Saqib Mahmood (Oval Invincibles), Luke Wood (Trent Rockets), Liam Livingstone (Birmingham Phoenix)

The big question: Will Lancashire be able to go one step further than last season? They will have the opportunity for revenge on Kent, their conquerors in the final last season, in this year’s group stages, when they meet in Blackpool, but personal scores aside, the Red Rose will be looking for another strong showing, and they should have the quality to achieve it.

Key players: The news that his side have the chance for revenge against Kent in his home town will be music to the ears of Blackpool-born Steven Croft, a dyed-in-the-wool Lancastrian who has played for his home county since 2005, during which time he has hit over 18,000 runs for the first team and taken just under 200 wickets across all formats. Also important will be Danny Lamb – brother of England international Emma – who had a good tournament last time out and should have a role to play with the ball before he leaves for Sussex at the end of the season.

Wildcard watch: George Bell is an exciting prospect for Lancashire fans. The 21-year-old is averaging 109 in this season’s Second XI T20 at a strike rate of more than 194, but he has also made an impression in the first team as well, including two County Championship fifties so far this season.

Final thought: Lancashire look as strong as ever. They may have lost their leading wicket-taker from last season, Liam Hurt, but that was through choice rather than necessity, as their decision to release him shows the strength in depth they possess. This is naturally a tough group, but Lancashire should be right in the mix at the top end of it.

 
Leicestershire Foxes:
2022 captain: Lewis Hill
2022 finish: Quarter-finals
2022 leading run-scorer: Wiaan Mulder (533)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Beuran Hendricks (17)
Knockout stage appearances: 1 (2022)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Callum Parkinson (Northern Superchargers), Rehan Ahmed (Southern Brave)

The big question: Will Leicestershire be able to put their recent off-field issues aside to be competitive? The Foxes reached the knockout stages last season, losing to eventual winners Kent, but a recent storm within the club appears to have hit its apex with the departure of some key players and coaching staff.

Key players: The signing of Sol Budinger from Nottinghamshire was a real statement of intent, and in return for putting their faith in him, Leicestershire have received a young, aggressive batter who has the ability to influence matches at this level. The return of overseas player Wiaan Mulder is a boost too for the East Midlands outfit, with the South African having hit 533 runs at an average of almost 89 in last season’s competition.

Wildcard watch: Seamer Michael Finan is a late bloomer, having only made his List A and first-class debuts at the age of 27, but has already taken 21 wickets at 34.33 in the latter format. He can be a fraction expensive, but his wicket-taking ability is not in doubt, and if he can tidy up his economy rate, Leicestershire have in their ranks a bowler of quality.

Final thought: The beginning of the One-Day Cup is an opportunity for Leicestershire to have a fresh start and let their cricket be brought back into focus over their backroom issues. Whether they can take that opportunity remains to be seen but given they will again only lose two players to The Hundred, the belief should be high that they can take advantage of that and compete in a difficult group.

 
Middlesex:
2022 captain: Stephen Eskinazi
2022 finish: 4th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Stephen Eskinazi (658)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Umesh Yadav (16)
Knockout stage appearances: 1 (2019)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Stephen Eskinazi (Welsh Fire), Tom Helm (Birmingham Phoenix)

The big question: How much of an impact will Stephen Eskinazi’s newly-acquired Hundred contract have on Middlesex’s chances? The 29-year-old was the leading scorer in the entire competition last season, hitting his runs at a stunning average of 94, so his loss will be keenly felt in a side that relied heavily on their efforts with the bat last time out.

Key players: In the absence of Eskinazi, two contenders to replace his runs are Pieter Malan and Sam Robson, both of whom scored at averages above 60 last year as well. Both have international caps under their respective belts too, so their quality is not in doubt, which will come as a relief to Middlesex fans. At the other end of the order, young spinner Luke Hollman will also be looking to back up his impressive 13 wickets last time out.

Wildcard watch: Aggressive wicketkeeper-bat Joe Cracknell has caught the eye over the past couple of T20 Blast tournaments and could be a contender to chip in as a partial replacement for Eskinazi, especially given the fluency with which he scores his runs.

Final thought: The good news for the Seaxes is that no other batter has been called up to the Hundred, so there are plenty of established players who have the proven quality and an opportunity to fill in for Eskinazi. However, 658 runs, which was more than a quarter of Middlesex’s total runs in the competition, can hardly just be pulled out of thin air. Either the bowling attack needs to become thriftier, or the weight on Robson and Malan’s shoulders just got significantly heavier.

Nottinghamshire might be driven by the prospect of playing the final at home, but they need to be more consistent than last year to do that

Nottinghamshire might be driven by the prospect of playing the final at home, but they need to be more consistent than last year to do that

 
Nottinghamshire Outlaws:
2022 captain: Haseeb Hameed
2022 finish: Quarter-finals
2022 leading run-scorer: Ben Slater (432)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton (22)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Titles: 1 (2017)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Olly Stone (London Spirit), Joe Clarke, Jake Ball (Welsh Fire), Alex Hales, Samit Patel, Matt Carter (Trent Rockets), Ben Duckett (Birmingham Phoenix)

The big question: Will Nottinghamshire’s deep squad be able to carry them to a home final? The Outlaws are the only team in the country who would have home advantage in the final were they to reach it, and in reaching the knockout stages last season, they showed they are capable of competing, even with many of their big hitters away on Hundred duty.

Key players: You would be hard-pressed to find many with a better career List A record than Ben Slater. Last season, he averaged 61.71 in the competition, just above his all-time record of 56.69. In 50 innings in the format, he has passed fifty in 22 of them, racing to almost 2,500 runs already. Meanwhile, Brett Hutton took the most wickets of anyone in last season’s One-Day Cup and has started this season in good red-ball form too, with his 34 wickets being the joint-second-highest of anyone in the County Championship.

Wildcard watch: Matthew Montgomery was brought in ahead of this competition beginning in 2021, but over the last year has flourished in all formats as the first-choice replacement for Ben Duckett when the latter has been unavailable due to international commitments. Keep an eye open too for Ben Martindale, a big-hitter and sharp fielder who recently signed a three-year full-time contract after making his debut in last season’s One-Day Cup.

Final thought: How much of a drive the prospect of a home final truly is, is known only to the Nottinghamshire team themselves, but even without that possibility, the Outlaws are still a well-balanced side that will pose a stiff test to anyone. If they are to play the final in their own back yard, improving their consistency will be key; they won two games in a row twice last season, but defeats punctuated their progress and left them unable to get on any real run of form.

 
Surrey:
2022 captain: Ben Geddes
2022 finish: 7th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Tom Lawes (318)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Conor McKerr (10)
Knockout stage appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Ollie Pope (Welsh Fire), Laurie Evans, Jamie Overton (Manchester Originals), Reece Topley (Northern Superchargers), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jason Roy, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson (Oval Invincibles), Jamie Smith (Birmingham Phoenix), Chris Jordan (Southern Brave)

The big question: Can Surrey overcome the loss of so many players to the Hundred? Last term, they were shorn of 13 names, which tests even those who have the depth that the Brown Caps possess. Run-scoring was a real issue last season, with their total of 1,720 being the lowest of any of the 18 counties, but their fortunes in that department could be improved by the fact that Rory Burns has not received a Hundred deal this time around.

Key players: Alongside Burns, Ben Foakes is surprisingly also without a Hundred contract as yet and could be licking his lips at the prospect of cashing in in this competition should that remain the case. Meanwhile, Cameron Steel is also a valuable player, with the ability not just to contribute with the bat but also to bowl some handy leg-spin, and he is joined in Surrey’s all-rounder corps by Tom Lawes, who was the Brown Caps’ leading run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker last time out.

Wildcard watch: Surrey have lost the equivalent of an entire team to the Hundred, but the positive side of that situation for them is the number of opportunities presented for fringe players to stake a claim. Left-arm spinner Yousef Majid is one worth looking out for; the 19-year-old took nine scalps in last season’s competition, second only to leader Conor McKerr, and was rewarded with a full-time professional contract.

Final thought: Surrey will be hoping their depth can carry them in the absence of so much quality, but there has to be an improvement with the bat if they are to make progress from last season’s seventh-place finish.

 
Yorkshire Vikings:
2022 captain: Jonathan Tattersall
2022 finish: 5th in group
2022 leading run-scorer: Harry Duke (330)
2022 leading wicket-taker: Matthew Waite (14)
Knockout stage appearances: 6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)
Titles: 0
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jordan Thompson (Spirit), Jonny Bairstow (Fire), Adil Rashid, Harry Brook, Adam Lyth (Superchargers), Joe Root, Dawid Malan (Rockets)

The big question: Can Yorkshire finally turn regular appearances in the One-Day Cup knockout stages into some tangible success? Since this competition reverted to 50 overs per side in 2014, the White Rose have often progressed out of the group stage but have been unable to come up with any silverware to show for it. However, their chances of doing so this year might be tough, having lost key all-rounder Matthew Waite in their middle order to Worcestershire.

Key players: List A is the format in which Will Fraine has enjoyed the most success, scoring 328 runs in last season’s competition, and he has been in good form in this year’s Second XI T20 competition too. On the bowling front, all-rounder Matthew Revis was second only to Waite in terms of wickets taken, though with the departure of the latter, Revis has an opportunity to take centre stage.

Wildcard watch: Spinner Jack Shutt has been around the first team on-and-off over the last few years since making his T20 bow in 2019, but still remains something of an unknown quantity and picked up nine scalps in last season’s competition.

Final thought: Yorkshire will host all of their home matches away from their usual home of Headingley in the north of the county, playing two each in Scarborough and York. They will have to hope the loss of home comforts does not put the batters off their game, with a desperate need to improve on their indifferent form from last season in that area.

 

Ability XI: Essex v Yorkshire – Match Report

Posted on Monday 3 July 2023

Essex Ability XI v Yorkshire Ability XI
D40 Quest
Harlow Town CC
Sunday 02 June 2023
Essex Hawks: Ronnie Jackson, Joe Freestone, Joe Moss, Matthew Edwards, Alexander Welby, Ben Aust, Andrew Mowatt, Alfie Jeeves, Isaac Ellis, Jehan Sabih, Andy Catherell, Matthew Thomas

Yorkshire: Kyle Clayton, James O’Conner, Owen Morris, Matthew Bateman, Cameron Sweeney, Luke Riley, Cameron Cooper, Adam Marshall, Rob Hewitt, Jasper Spooner, William Baxter

Match Details:

Toss: Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Yorkshire 234-7 (20.0 overs)
Essex Hawks 183-8 (40.0 overs)
Yorkshire won by 51 runs

Match Report:

Essex Hawks found themselves on the wrong end of a 51-run D40 Quest defeat at the hands of a strong Yorkshire outfit at Harlow Town Cricket Club.

Skipper Matthew Bateman led the way for Yorkshire with a superb 73 off 70 balls before he became one of four victims for the in-form Essex all-rounder Joe Moss.

Owen Morris scored 30, while James O Conner and Luke Riley contributed 29 and 27 respectively as the visitors posted a sizable 234-7. Moss returned impressive figures of 8-0-31-4.

The chase was always going to be a tough ask for the battling home side. Nevertheless, their batters did their utmost. Isaac Ellis top-scored with an unbeaten 36, while Moss hit 35 and Alexander Welby, 29.

Bateman proved to be the pick of the Yorkshire attack, claiming 3/18 from his 8 overs, while there was a brace for Cameron Cooper as the visitors secured a hard-fought but deserved victory.

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.

 

Ability XI: Essex v Dorset/Hampshire – Match Report

Posted on Monday 3 July 2023

Essex Ability XI v Hampshire Ability XI
S9 Regional, South East
Compton & Chandlers Ford CC
Sunday 02 July 2023
 

Match Details:

Toss: Hampshire won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Essex Kestrels 189-5 (30.0 overs)
Essex Kestrels 67-8 (14.1 overs)
Essex Kestrels won by 122 runs

Match Report:

Essex Kestrels kept up their S9 Regional, South East challenge with an emphatic victory over Hampshire at Compton & Chandlers Ford Cricket Club.

After losing the early wicket of James Cole, Phil Law and Jack Flowers carried Essex to 55 for one before a flurry of wickets left the visitors floundering at 72/5.

However, Steven Denham joined Flowers in the middle. The pair both hit unbeaten half-centuries – Flower 50* and Denham 52* (both retired not out), before Alex Seaton came to the middle, adding further runs as Essex posted a healthy 189 for five.

The impressive Essex attack got to work with Harry Willis and Oliver Kennedy taking wickets in their respective first overs.

Hampshire’s J Clements carried the fight by hitting four 4s in one over, but his innings came to a conclusion when he was brilliantly caught by Seaton for 16.

Willis finished with three for 35 and Kennedy 2/14 from their opening spells. Alex Myles (1/11) and captain Bradley Donovan (2/13) ran through the rest of the hosts’ batting order quickly to confirm a sizable success for the Kestrels.

Essex now needs to beat Middlesex in their last game to set up a place in the final.

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.

Quarter-Final Confirmed! Birmingham Bears v Essex

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2023

After an enthralling conclusion to the Vitality Blast South Group, Essex have secured an away Quarter-Final against Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston on Thursday 06 July.

With all to play for heading into the final two matches of the group stage, Essex thrillingly defeated Surrey by three wickets at The Kia Oval to set up a Quarter-Final tie for the second time in two years.

The Eagles are accustomed to playing away Quarter-Finals, having faced Lancashire Lightning in Durham and Manchester respectively on each of the last two occasions they’ve made the knockout stages.

Next week’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, but we hope that you will be able to attend in person and support the Eagles as they push for a first outing at Finals Day since the victorious 2019 campaign. See below for information on how and when you can purchase tickets.

The Bears, who finished atop the North Group with 22 points, have met Essex twice before at this stage of the Vitality Blast, in both 2014 and 2015. The Eagles fell short on both occasions, and will therefore be out for revenge in the Second City on Thursday night.

Ticket information

Tickets are available to purchase from the Edgbaston website now, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors aged 5-15 years old if bought in advance, while under-5s are free.

Buy tickets at the link below, where you will need to select a stand, and then seating is unreserved within that chosen stand.

buytickets

The Final Standings

B_LEAGUE TABLE End

 

Dan Lawrence named in England squad for Headingley Test

Posted on Sunday 2 July 2023

Dan Lawrence has been named in England’s 15-player squad for the third LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Test matches against Australia starting at Headingley on Thursday 6 July 2023.

There are no changes to the squad from the Lord’s Test match and information on Lawrence’s availability for Essex will be confirmed in due course.

England Men’s Third Ashes Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
Moeen Ali (Warwickshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Josh Tongue (Worcestershire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

The England party will report to Leeds on Monday 3 July.

• 1st Test: England v Australia, 16-20 June, Edgbaston, Birmingham (Australia won by two wickets)
• 2nd Test: England v Australia, 28 June-2 July, Lord’s, London (Australia won by 43 runs)
• 3rd Test: England v Australia, 6-10 July, Headingley, Leeds
• 4th Test: England v Australia, 19-23 July, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• 5th Test: England v Australia, 27-31 Kia Oval, London

 

Spectator Information: Sunrisers v Southern Vipers

Posted on Saturday 1 July 2023

The sun is set to shine this weekend for the return of the Sunrisers to The Cloud County Ground for their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixture. The Sunrisers welcome Southern Vipers on Sunday 02 July with play getting underway at 10:30am.

The two fixtures will be a chance for the Sunrisers to build on their opening day win away against the Vipers.

Gates Opening Times:

Gates open from 9:30am via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.

Scheduled Hours of Play:

Toss: 10am
First Innings: 10:30am-2pm
Second Innings: 2:30-6pm

Member Entry & Matchday Tickets:

Supporters visiting individual matchdays can purchase tickets to speed up your entry into the ground. Tickets are available at £10 Adults, £10 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.

buytickets

Tickets will also be available on the gates from 9:30am each day and this is strictly card sales only.

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy is part of the 2023 Membership and Members are required to scan their card on the gate.

 

Matchday Purchases:

The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes purchasing tickets on the gates and food and drink in the Doug Insole Pavilion. Find out more – here

Please note that the Essex Cricket Store is the only location on-site which accepts cash payments.

 

Accessibility:

Accessible parking:
A limited number of accessible car park spaces will be available at The Cloud County Ground but strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating can be found 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 presenting proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 16 years old in the Membership & Ticketing Office or on the entry gate.

We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.

Accessible Toilets:
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located behind the Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue 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.

 

Travel:

Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car can park in a number of public car parks within Chelmsford City Centre. There is no parking available on-site at The Cloud County Ground for these fixtures.

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. Please note the Tees River Gate will not be open for the fixture.

Ground Entry:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for all spectators for these games with the benches also available.

• 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 Essex Membership and we encourage spectators to arrive in plenty of time to secure a seat. All seating for Sunrisers’ games are Unallocated and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Members of Middlesex County Cricket Club can also attend these games for free of charge on presentation of a Membership card.

• 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 this could cause scanning issues.

qrcode

• 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:

• Sunrisers merchandise and clothing will be available to purchase outside the Doug Insole Pavilion in the Sunrisers gazebo.

• Spectators are welcome 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.

• 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.

 

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.

• 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.

 

Elizabeth Parker Part Of All-Female Groundstaff at Edgbaston

Posted on Saturday 1 July 2023

Elizabeth Parker will represent Essex Cricket as part of an all-female ground staff team for the first Women’s Ashes IT20 at Edgbaston on Saturday night.

Elizabeth, known as Zibby, only began working matchdays in Chelmsford this season but has already “become a firm favourite amongst the team,” says Head Grounds person Stuart Kerrison.

Zibby volunteers at Felixstowe Cricket Club helping on the ground where her son, Ben, also plays, while her daughter, Holly, is part of the matchday catering team at The Cloud County Ground.

“In her short career with us, Zibby has been involved in Championship and Blast matches, and has three full international ODIs under her belt from the Ireland v Bangladesh matches,” said Stuart.

“Zibby has been trained on most of the machinery used for ground preparation and is a good worker, enthusiastic, competent and keen to learn.”

Zibby is a "firm favourite amongst the team" says Stuart Kerrigan

Zibby is a “firm favourite amongst the team” says Stuart Kerrison

Zibby will be one of an eight-strong team at Edgbaston that is to be led by Meg Lay, Sports Turf Operative at Gloucestershire CCC’s Seat Unique Stadium.

The initiative of having an all-female ground staff team is part of efforts to promote cricket careers for women and girls.

Meg, who was one the first female ground staff members in professional cricket, hopes the initiative will encourage more women to follow in her footsteps.

She said: “The sports turf industry is 98% men. If we want women to play on the biggest stages, we need women preparing those stages.

“Getting women involved is not an exercise in ticking a box, it is absolutely necessary for women’s sport to continue to thrive. I love the job and the industry is incredibly welcoming.

“Being outside all day and having world class athletes play on pitches I have prepared is a real buzz. I could never go back to a ‘normal’ job.”

Meg added: “I’ve helped prepare every match wicket at Gloucestershire since the day I started, and under the tutelage of Sean Williams, head of sports turf at Gloucestershire, have developed my skills and knowledge immensely. An Ashes pitch will be the highlight of my career so far.

“We’ve brought together an experienced, talented team of women ground staff and I’m confident we can put on a wicket deserving of such a great occasion.

“To any women and girls looking for an exciting, rewarding career in grounds management I would say ‘go for it’.”

As well as Zibby, Meg’s team includes Sports Turf Operatives Jasmine Nicholls, Tara Sandford and Rachel Hunter-Worrall – from Headingley, Arsenal FC and Queen Ethelburga’s College, York, respectively.

Worcestershire CCC grounds apprentice Carlie Lambert, Emily Geach from Boconnoc Cricket Club, Cornwall, and Zoe Jones from the Ageas Bowl complete the line-up.

 


 

Both Meg and Claire are part of the Women in Cricket Employee Network which helped support the grounds team initiative.

Claire Dale, Chief People Officer at the ECB and executive sponsor of the Women in Cricket Employee Network from the ECB, added: “Despite progress in recent years, women remain underrepresented in a range of non-playing professional roles in cricket.

“The ECB helped to establish a game-wide Women in Cricket Employee Network, to champion those women already working in the game, and attract more women applicants through targeted interventions and campaigning work.

“There are roles in cricket to suit everyone. Regardless of skillset, prior experience or background, all women can build a rewarding career that suits their aspirations, develops their confidence, and makes a real impact on the game and the communities it serves.’

For more details on training and careers in grounds management, visit the Grounds Management Association website and for volunteering opportunities check out the ECB’s Cricket Collective.