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Essex Cricket have proudly become the latest signatory of the Muslim Athlete Charter, a pledge committing professional sporting organisations to make progress in recognising the needs of Muslim athletes.

The charter is a result of the work of Nujum Sports, an organisation with the mission statement of seeing “a world where Muslim athletes flourish and fulfil their potential.”

By joining organisations such as the Premier League and the Rugby Football League in signing the charter, Essex Cricket have committed to supporting the needs of Muslim cricketers across the county.

Ebadur Rahman, Founder and CEO of Nujum Sports, said: “The level of dedication and commitment demonstrated by Essex Cricket to support Muslim cricketers and staff at the Club has been very impressive.

The thought and consideration created across all areas of the organisation has been meticulous and it’s truly an honour to present the Club with the Charter after witnessing first-hand the work being carried out.

Essex Cricket Chief Executive, John Stephenson, said: “We are proud to sign the Charter, which is an important commitment to support the needs of our Muslim players.

“We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and open environment for all, and we recognise the importance of taking tangible steps that show our full commitment to this.

“The value that Muslim athletes can bring, from the beginning of our pathway programmes right through to our senior teams, is not only felt in a sporting context.

“The cultural and social benefits offered by a group that is truly open and diverse are huge, and all members of that group can be better for it.”

Nujum Sports describe signing the charter as “just the beginning,” and the measure is just one in an array of initiatives Essex Cricket are taking to maintain a welcoming environment for all.

The Club have a positive existing relationship with the Chelmsford Muslim Association and proud to have arranged events such as Eid celebrations and Friday prayer during the Ireland v Bangladesh series at The Cloud County Ground.

Alongside this, a new faith and reflection room has also been set up in the Allen Ford Graham Gooch Cricket Centre for spectators to make use of during their visit.

Relationships have been established with mosques in East London, where several of our players hail from, and there has been an effort to create dialogue that encourages discussion of the needs of Muslim players and staff.

The work being done is reflected in an increase of players on Essex Cricket’s pathway from an ethnic minority background, with 55% of boys and 25% of girls on the pathway now identifying as such.

The Club is delighted with the positive impact of the work so far and is driven to go further. This is underpinned by Essex Cricket’s EDI Action Plan to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of cricket, the culture and provision, including physical environment, staff & player development and recruitment as well as community cohesion.

We aim to showcase cricket as an exciting game by creating conditions in which positive stories from the game can be told, and to inspire the next generation by creating high-profile role models from a variety of backgrounds.

We aim to engage our staff through our work in East London, where projects will specifically target cohesion amongst different communities, as well as internally, with staff encouraged to listen to any concerns.

Finally, we aim to enhance our development in the long-term, increasing our provision of facilities that promote and support equality and inclusion, and delivering training to under-represented groups of staff and students.

You can find out more information on equity, diversity and inclusivity at Essex Cricket including our EDI Action Plan – view here.

ESSEX V WARWICKSHIRE
LV= INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
THE CLOUD COUNTY GROUND, CHELMSFORD
SUNDAY 25 – WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE
11AM START

Two high-fliers meet as the LV= Insurance County Championship ticks past its halfway point, with Essex, fourth in Division One, welcoming second-placed Warwickshire to Chelmsford from Sunday.

Essex comfortably dispatched Somerset by 196 runs in their last red-ball outing two weeks ago, as Alastair Cook and Matt Critchley hit centuries before Simon Harmer picked up eight wickets in the match.

Meanwhile, Warwickshire were held to a high-scoring draw against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, as despite the Bears piling up 571-9 declared, they were denied by the hosts’ rearguard action in a second-innings total of 464-6.

Though Essex have played a game more, there are just nine points separating the two sides in the top half of the Division One table, and any victory for Anthony McGrath’s men will take them above the Edgbaston outfit.

This round of matches will be the first used for trials of the Kookaburra ball, which will also be used for Essex’s four-day game against Lancashire in Blackpool next month.

Squad:

Essex have named a 13-player squad for this fixture with red-ball regulars Alastair Cook, Jamie Porter, Nick Browne and overseas bowler Doug Bracewell all returning to the fold.

Will Buttleman has been named in the matchday squad, with Adam Rossington still recovering from a finger injury.

The View from the Dressing Room: Anthony McGrath

Ahead of the match, Head Coach Anthony McGrath spoke about the upcoming switch back to the longer format. He also spoke about the way the trial of the Kookaburra ball might effect proceedings.

Division One Standings:

The Opposition:

After avoiding the drop to Division Two with the final ball of last season, Warwickshire have had a far stronger first half of this year’s campaign. They currently sit on 91 points, second only to leaders Surrey, having won three and lost just one of their six matches so far.

The Bears went on something of a big-name signing spree in the winter, recruiting not just England’s Moeen Ali, but also flourishing all-rounder Ed Barnard and evergreen seamer Chris Rushworth. Pakistani quick Hasan Ali was also signed as their overseas player, with the aim of filling the gap left by Olly Stone’s move to Nottinghamshire.

Moeen moved to Edgbaston on a white ball deal, but the other three have hit the ground running in the County Championship so far. Rushworth and Ali are Warwickshire’s top two Championship wicket-takers this season, with 35 and 22 scalps, respectively, while Barnard’s 273 runs puts him fourth in the club’s run-scoring charts.

The test will be a stern one for Essex, with only table-toppers Surrey, unbeaten themselves, having been able to win against Warwickshire so far this season. However, the hosts are also yet to be defeated at Chelmsford this season, setting up a mouth-watering clash.

Last Time We Met:

Essex will be looking for revenge against Warwickshire from Sunday, as it was the Bears who handed out their only defeat to date in this season’s Championship. That clash took place at Edgbaston six weeks ago, with the hosts on that occasion winning by four wickets despite a battling second-innings fifty from Simon Harmer.

Honours were even the last time the two sides met at Chelmsford, which was all the way back in May 2021. Rain and bad light combined to turn the game into a heavily truncated affair, though there was time for two members of the Essex attack to record personal milestones.

Sam Cook’s dismissal of Olly Stone, caught by Simon Harmer at second slip, was his 100th in the County Championship. Meanwhile, in the same innings, Peter Siddle picked up figures of 6/38, which remains his best bowling return in the competition.

Essex’s last first-class win over Warwickshire came by 187 runs in the sides’ 2019 meeting at Chelmsford, where Alastair Cook made 84 and 83, alongside Dan Lawrence hitting 61 and 74 in the first and second innings, respectively.

After Essex had established a first-innings lead of 84, Warwickshire were set an ambitious 401 to win, and the hosts went on to dismiss the Bears for 213 and earn another victory on their way to being crowned county champions as Harmer took 6/75.

How To Watch:

If you’re unable to attend, the game will be streamed live from Chelmsford and available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone or on the Essex Cricket TV YouTube channel.

Miss the action? Highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media channels.

Tickets:

The bright sunshine and high temperatures of the past week are set to continue into Sunday, while conditions are also set fair for beyond the weekend, giving hope of four full days of action.

Tickets are available from £14 if bought online in advance of the game, or £17 on the gate, while under-25s can gain entry for £11 at any time. Under-18s tickets are priced at £5.

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Hot Tub Barn, the leading provider of premium hot tubs, pools and award-winning saunas in the UK, with the partnership aimed at enhancing our fan’s post-match experience.

This strategic collaboration brings together two renowned brands that share a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. As part of this exciting partnership, Hot Tub Barn will become the official hot tub supplier recommended by Essex Cricket, offering fans a unique discount when purchasing their selected hot tub model.

“We are so pleased to be partnering with Essex Cricket, a Club known for its rich history, outstanding achievements, and commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences to fans,” said Reece Thomas, Chief Operations Officer of Hot Tub Barn. “Our hot tubs will provide a unique and enjoyable way for fans to unwind after each match and create lasting memories with friends and family.”

Hot Tub Barn will collaborate with Essex Cricket to create exclusive promotions and offers for our Members, fans and supporters. This will include special discounts on hot tub purchases, access to VIP experiences, and opportunities to win exciting prizes throughout the cricket season.

Daryl Townson, Commercial Manager at Essex Cricket, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Hot Tub Barn into the Essex Cricket family. This partnership represents our commitment to continuously enhancing the matchday experience for our dedicated fans, now extending this to their post-match relaxation routine at home.

We are excited about the opportunities this partnership presents and look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Enjoy an incredible £500 off any pool or hot tub at Hot Tub Barn when you order in-store using the discount code ‘ESSEX’.

About Hot Tub Barn:

Hot Tub Barn is a leading provider of premium hot tubs, offering a wide range of high-quality products and exceptional customer service. With a passion for relaxation and enjoyment, Hot Tub Barn has established itself as a trusted brand in the industry, providing customers with luxurious and innovative hot tub experiences.

Find out more at www.hottubbarn.co.uk

A visit from high-flying Warwickshire signals the return of the LV= Insurance County Championship to Chelmsford from Sunday, and Head Coach Anthony McGrath is up for the challenge presented by the Bears.

Essex currently sit fourth in Division One and come into the clash off the back of a 196-run home victory over Somerset two weeks ago.
Warwickshire, two places higher and inflictors of Essex’s only Championship defeat so far this season, will pose a stern test, but McGrath says the squad is in a good place and heavily motivated by the prospect of payback.

“It will be a little bit of a revenge mission, but it’s two good teams and we always have good games against Warwickshire,” he said. “The weather is set fine, so hopefully it’ll be a good four days at Chelmsford.

“It was a good win against Somerset, which keeps us in the hunt, and it was a tremendous effort. Coming off the schedule and with the heat, it’ll [need to] be similar against Warwickshire.

“The guys know what we’re playing for. We’ve just got to make sure that come that last day, we’re in with a chance and hopefully we can take the points.”

The Head Coach noted the punishing fixture list of the last month, which has seen red-ball cricket intertwined with the Vitality Blast, has been difficult to manage ahead of a crunch clash with the West Midlands side.

However, McGrath accepts the situation is identical everywhere, and he talked up the value of a deep squad permitting rest and rotation for key players, especially in the bowling department.

“The schedule has been crazy, and it tests the squad, but it’s the same for every county, so you have to be smart with resting people,” said McGrath. “I think we’ve played 16 out of 21 days recently.”

“It is tough, especially for the guys who play both forms. Sam [Cook] had a rest, [Shane Snater] had one the week before, and Dougie [Bracewell] also missed out with injury so hopefully he’ll be fresh.”

One potential factor that could be influential to an as-yet-unknown extent is that this round of Championship matches will be the first of two to see the Kookaburra ball being used, as opposed to the regular Dukes.

The Head Coach admits he is unsure how the ball might behave due to the schedule permitting limited practice with the Kookaburra, but he is again keen to express that everyone is in the same boat.

“Honestly, I have no idea [how it might behave]!” he smiled. “We haven’t had much opportunity to practice because of the T20, but we will get a report back off the second XI who have been using it up in Chester.

“It will be similar for all teams, though, and we’ll just have to adapt. It will be different to the Dukes, we know that, things like the seam are different, but it will be the team that adapts best.

“I’d be lying if I said I knew what’s going to happen! But hopefully we can get plenty of runs, and then it spins so [Simon Harmer] can come into play.

“It’s just about adapting and getting on with it, and there’s another round with it after this one, away to Lancashire, so it will also be interesting how it plays up and down the country.”

While the brand of ball is an unknown, McGrath does have controllables that he is able to influence far more, with one of the most important being the quality of the team he selects for the match.

The 47-year-old believes that the ability to play as strong a squad as possible will be crucial against Warwickshire, who have themselves also lost just once this season and count several big names among their ranks.

“It’ll be a difficult challenge,” he said. “They’ve played five seamers on occasions this year, so [they have] a really strong attack, and also their batsmen have been in form as well.

“It’s going to be a good test. Hopefully we’re coming into some form at the right time, but we’ve just got to make sure we’re on it for all four days.

“We saw against Somerset, when we get four full days, there’s normally a result, so hopefully that’s the case going forward.”

Essex face second-place Warwickshire knowing that victory would likely see them leapfrog their visitors.

This round of matches will be the first used for trials of the Kookaburra ball, which will also be used for Essex’s four-day game against Lancashire in Blackpool next month.

Match Information:

High Temperatures

Hot weather is forecast over the course of the match so we advise all spectators to bring appropriate sun protection, including sun cream and a hat.

Drinking water is available from all service areas so bring a reusable bottle to keep hydrated. The covered areas of the ground are located in the Felsted School Stand (blocks 22-24) and Members have access to the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Stand Lower (blocks 2-4).

Open Ground

The Club will be continuing to have an open ground for this match, permitting all spectators to walk around the full concourse area with better access to the Club Store and other facilities. 

Members will still have exclusive access to dedicated Members’ seating areas which will be located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for both Members and general public.

Please note that seating for LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures is unallocated so will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Peter Edwards Museum & Library

Visit the Peter Edwards Museum & Library during your visit to the match which include a new exhibition on the late Ken Farnes who was a prominent player for the Club during the 1930s. The Museum is free to to visit over the course of the match and is located next to the Essex Cricket Store.

Gates Opening Times:

Gates open from 10am via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or alternatively, the Tees River Gate which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.

Scheduled Hours of Play:

Toss (Day One): 10:30am
Morning Session: 11am-1pm
Afternoon Session: 1:40pm-3:40pm
Evening Session: 4pm-6pm
Scheduled Close of Play: 6pm

Members Entry & Matchday Tickets:

The LV= Insurance County Championship is part of the 2023 Membership and Members are required to scan their card on the gate.

Supporters visiting individual matchdays can purchase tickets in advance to save on the price and speed up your entry into the ground. Reduced priced tickets are available at £14 Adults, £11 Students/Young Adults (18-25) and £5 Juniors (U18s).

These can be purchased online via the following link or alternatively by phone (01245 254010) in person at The Cloud County Ground.

Tickets will also be available on the gates from 10am each day and this is strictly card sales only. Post-lunch tickets are available priced at £11 Adults, with entry free of charge after the scheduled Tea break.

Matchday Purchases:

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

Scorecards will be available using contactless payment on the entry gates priced at £1, and also available in the Essex Cricket Store.

Accessibility:

Accessible parking:
Accessible car parking spaces are located at The Cloud County Ground and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating can be found in the Hayes Close End of the ground and a wheelchair-accessible platform is located in Block One of the Tom Pearce Stand.

Carers can enter the ground on a companion ticket which is free of charge. This is upon the presentation in the Membership & Ticketing Office or on the gate with proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people under 16 years old.

We can also accept a Blue Badge and Access card.

Accessible Toilets:
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located behind the main scorecard (Red Area), rear of the Doug Insole Pavilion (Blue Area) and adjacent to Block 25 at County Corner (Green Area).

Ahead of Your Visit:

In the event of adverse weather conditions on the day of the match, please keep up to date with the prospects of play via the Club’s Twitter and Facebook channels.

Please note that the Prospect of Play phone line is no longer in use and all updates will be available online.

Travel:

Parking:
• Spectators travelling by car will need to locate a public car park in the proximity of the ground as there is no parking available on-site at The Cloud County Ground.

• The High Chelmer multi-storey will be open across all four days and closes at the extended time of 7pm on Sunday (Day One).

• Meteor Way will be open for Members and open three hours before the start of play and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Public Transport:
• Chelmsford Bus Station is situated on Duke Street, next to Chelmsford Train Station, with connections to all over the County. Alternatively, bus numbers 13, 46 and C1 shuttles, stop on New London Road, which is approximately a two-minute walk to the Ground, via New Writtle Street.

• Chelmsford Railway Station is operated by Greater Anglia and is an approximate 10-minute walk from The Cloud County Ground. Regular direct train services depart from Chelmsford to London, Stratford, Shenfield, Romford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. Chelmsford is situated on the Liverpool Street to Norwich mainline.

Ground Entry:

Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate.

Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion is open for Members upon the presentation of a valid Membership card and accessible by entering the ground through the Main Gate.

• Members are not required to pre-book a match ticket and can enter by scanning their Membership card on the gate. If you require a replacement card, please get in contact with the Membership & Ticketing Office before the fixture to arrange a replacement or this may cause delays on entry for you and other spectators.

• Entry to this fixture is included in 2023 Membership and encourage Members to arrive in plenty of time to secure your seat. All seating for Championship games is Unallocated and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• There will be an open ground for this match allowing spectators to walk around the whole concourse area at The Cloud County Ground with access to the Club shop and other facilities.

Members will still have access to dedicated Members’ seating areas which will be located in the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower Stands. All other seating areas in the ground will be available for Members and general public.

General Public Seating:

• Supporters who have purchased tickets can enter the ground by scanning the QR on your tickets that has been sent to you via email following your purchase. If you choose to print out your ticket, please ensure that the match details (including name and seat details) are included as per the image below. Make sure you have your match ticket available on your phone or printed out so it is easily accessible for ticket scanning on arrival. Please do not take a ‘screen grab’ of your QR code as that will not be read by the scanners.

• Ticket holders can sit in all areas of the ground for this match, except for the Doug Insole Pavilion and Tom Pearce Upper & Lower stands.

• In the event of rain forecast on the day of the match, spectators can bring a small umbrella into the ground but metal spiked umbrellas are not permitted.

Around the Ground:

• Spectators are welcome to enter the pitch during the lunch & tea breaks when instructed over PA or by a member of the Club’s stewarding team. Please follow the guidance to the specific areas permitted to enter and please respect the playing surface. We encourage spectators to play on the outfield but please use softballs.

• Spectators are permitted to move behind the Doug Insole Pavilion but please respect the players’ area and walkway.

• The Club have installed a new faith and reflection room. This is available to spectators throughout the duration of the match and is located within the Allen Ford Graham Gooch Cricket Centre.

• The Club Store and Membership & Ticketing Office will be open for spectators for the duration of your visit.

• The Peter Edwards Museum & Library is located on-site adjacent to the Essex Cricket Store and will be open for the duration of the game.

• If you experience any anti-social or discriminatory behaviour during your visit to The Cloud County Ground then, please contact your nearest steward. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or text ‘CROWD’ including your stand and issue to 60066.

• Free Wi-Fi is available at The Cloud County Ground for every matchday giving you the opportunity to share photos and videos of your Eagles experience. Simply logon to ‘EC-Public’ from your seat to access.

Food & Drink:

• The Doug Insole Pavilion will be serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks from the bar. A choice of snacks will also be available to purchase.

• Anne’s Pantry will be offering a choice of home-cooked meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Hayes Close End and River End.

They will be serving a range of meals suitable for all dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, as well as children’s portions.

• Other refreshment kiosks include bar areas located at either end of the ground in County Corner and Spinners Bar.

• Spectators can bring food and drink into the ground for this fixture. A limit of four cans of beer/lager or one bottle of wine per person but there’s strictly no glass or sharp objects permitted into the ground.

• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.

Leaving the Ground:

At the conclusion of the day’s play, we ask spectators to leave the ground in a safe and patient manner. Stewards will be on hand to help direct you safely out of the ground.

We hope you have an enjoyable visit to The Cloud County Ground and further information regarding the match, including squad announcements and a full match preview will be available on essexcricket.org.uk ahead of the match.

Get in touch with us by email if you have any further questions at [email protected] or via the Club’s official Twitter and Facebook channels.

Watch The Action On the Move

Our Live Stream will be available for spectators with multi-angled ball tracking, replays and commentary courtesy of BBC Essex. Head to the Essex Cricket Matchzone to watch the action live ahead of the toss on Day One, plus view an interactive scorecard, stats and individual match clips.

>> Visit Matchzone

Hampshire Hawks v Essex

Vitality Blast

The Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Team News:

Hampshire Hawks: Ben McDermott (wk), James Vince (c), Toby Albert, Joe Weatherley, Ross Whiteley, James Fuller, Liam Dawson, Benny Howell, Nathan Ellis, Chris Wood and John Turner.

Essex: Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Robin Das, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Daniel Sams, Will Buttleman (wk), Simon Harmer (c), Ben Allison and Aaron Beard.

Match Details:

Umpires: Mark Newell & Surendiran Shanmugham
Match Referee: Helen Pack
Toss: Hampshire Hawks won and elected to bowl
Result: Hampshire Hawks won by 4 wickets

Scorecard: View Here

Match Highlights

Match Reaction: Anthony McGrath

“We have thrown it away. It was a brilliant start from Dan and Feroze and even when Pepper got out we were well set for 220 minimum.

“They bowled better at the end but even with 210 at half time we felt in a good position. It was a really good wicket and they got a good start but when Vince went out with seven overs left we should have finished the game.

“Three drop catches and then the emotions got to us. We panicked in the field and started fumbling. We didn’t get it right with a few bowling changes.

“It is a gutter to lose that game. If we had won it then we would have been in a really good position in the group but we have to take it on the chin.

“There are still two games left and even though it will hurt driving home tonight we have to recover when we play Middlesex next.”

Match Report:

James Vince proved Essex’s nemesis again as his seventh fifty of the competition under-pinned Hampshire Hawks’ highest-ever Vitality Blast chase.

Feroze Khushi and Dan Lawrence had blitzed 127 for the first wicket – with the pair striking 61 and 70 respectively – as Essex set 209-7.

Vince had struck a century at The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford earlier in the season and smashed 76 before James Fuller’s 57 and Benny Howell’s 34 not out got the Hawks over the line.

Chasing, Ben McDermott was caught in the fourth over by Paul Walter – which gave him his 13th catch of the season, an Essex T20 record – with Toby Albert also falling in the powerplay.

But Hampshire were still on top of the chase with Vince seducing the ball to the boundary on his way to a 24 ball fifty.

Joe Weatherley and Ross Whiteley came and went but James Fuller stuck with Vince to keep up with the rate in a 50-run stand.

Vince’s attempt for a fourth six only picked out safe hands Walter at long off in an over which only went for five runs from Critchley.

If that felt like a turning point Fuller and Howell swung it back in the Hawks’ favour with some outrageous hitting and a bit of luck – both were dropped during their stays.

Fuller’s fifty came off 27 balls and he celebrated with a huge six over long on to take the equation to nine off eight balls, although was yorked next ball to end a 63-run stand off 31 balls.

But Liam Dawson came in swatted a six first ball with the last three runs coming with four balls to spare.

Lawrence and Khushi seemed to be in a race to reach fifty first, having been stuck in on a stunning pitch and an outfield left worn by the recent Arctic Monkeys gig.

If Lawrence smashed a towering six down the ground, Khushi would hit one further. If Khushi slapped through point, Lawrence would cut one but even harder.

It tied in perfectly with Essex’s in-your-face approach to batting – which had seen them lose plenty of powerplay wickets earlier in the competition, but only sent Hawks fielders sprawling on this occasion.

There were 73 runs in the first six overs alone, including 21 off Chris Wood’s opener.

Essex v Kent Spitfires

Vitality Blast

The Cloud County Ground

Team News:

Essex: Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper, Robin Das, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Daniel Sams, Will Buttleman (wk), Simon Harmer (c), Shane Snater and Aron Nijjar.

Kent Spitfires: Tawanda Muyeye, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Sam Billings, Jordan Cox, Jack Leaning, George Linde, Joey Evison, Grant Stewart, Wes Agar and Michael Hogan.

Match Details:

Umpires: Ben Debenham & Rob Bailey
Match Referee: Sarah Bartlett
Toss: Kent Spitfires won and elected to bowl
Result: Kent Spitfires won by 7 wickets

Scorecard: View Here

Match Highlights:

Match Reaction: Dan Lawrence

Match Report:

Joe Denly joined James Vince and Luke Wright in passing 5,000 Vitality Blast runs after a breathtaking 32-ball 76 gave Kent Spitfires their fifth straight victory.

Denly thrashed his 39th T20 fifty and overtook Wright to move just behind Vince in the all-time run-scoring list – he is now up 5,050 runs in the competition.

His tubthumping innings, paired with in-form Daniel Bell-Drummond’s fifth fifty of the tournament in a 110 stand, underpinned the Spitfires chasing 184 with nine balls to spare.

Essex were on the receiving end of a thrashing for the second time in a week to loosen their hopes of progressing from the group, despite Dan Lawrence’s 52.

Tawanda Muyeye fell to a top-edged behind in the third over but that only brought Denly to the crease.

Two dots, a single and an edgy guide to the third boundary underestimated the carnage that was about to unfold, which started with two pulled sixes.

A pair of checked cover drives could have added points for aesthetic pleasure, while the force he used to bring up his 18-ball fifty would have knocked out a herd of oxen.

He took his tally to six sixes and six fours before tamely picking out cover for 76.

Amongst Denly’s onslaught, Bell-Drummond was classily ticking through his repertoire in a 35 ball fifty. He now has 476 runs in 11 innings.

Sam Billings was caught at long off, but Bell-Drummond rose to 69 not out and a 12-ball 20 cameo from Jordan Cox got them over the line.

Earlier, Essex were asked to bat and for the fourth time in five games, lost three wickets in the powerplay.

Feroze Khushi skied to mid on where Wes Agar brilliantly caught – after bowler George Linde had visibly prayed – with Michael Pepper and Robin Das leaving the hosts 55 for three after the first six overs.

Paul Walter came, was dropped and was pinned by Jack Leaning, who was celebrating his 50th Kent T20 appearance.

Lawrence was often scratchy but amassed eight fours and a wonderfully-timed six over mid-on in his 33-ball fifty.

He and Matt Critchley had rebuilt with a 57-run stand but both fell within three balls of each other, with Daniel Sams only facing six balls before edging behind.

Just as Essex looked like recording a very poor score, Simon Harmer and Will Buttleman slapped 40 together in 16 balls, with Grant Stewart taking the brunt in a 28-run over.

But that momentum fizzled out with three wickets falling in the final over.

Essex Second XI: : Nick Browne (c), Josh Rymell, Noah Thain, Nikhil Gorantla, Ronnie McKenna (wk), Jamal Richards, Omar Akram, Ali Zeb, Zac Evans, Hayden Goulstone, Eshun Kalley, Aum Patel

Lancashire Second XI: : Matty Hurst, George Lavelle (wk), George Balderson (c), Cian Dickinson, Tom Aspinwall, Arav Shetty, Dineth Fonseka, Jack Morley, Jack Carney, William Vause, Josh Boyden, Harry Birkman

Match Details:

Umpires: Simon Widdup and Alastair Davies
Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Match Drawn

Scorecard: View here

Match Report:

Essex’s second string shared the Second XI Championship spoils with their Lancashire counterparts on a batting-friendly pitch at Boughton Hall Cricket Club.

Indeed, despite losing the second day to rain, more than a thousand runs were scored between the two sides with Ronnie McKenna, George Balderson and Nick Browne reaching three figures.

McKenna batted quite brilliantly, his 131 came off 121 balls during a 151-minute stint at the crease and included fourteen 4s and five 6s.

Noah Thain and Nikhil Gorantla both hit 84 off 118 and 107 balls respectively, while Brown contributed 60 and Jamal Richards 55 before Essex declared on 457 for six. Jack Morley and Balderson each took two wickets for the home side.

When play resumed on day three, the Lancashire batters enjoyed similar success. Skipper Balderson scored 134 from 207. Meanwhile, George Lavelle hit 82 and Arav Shetty was unbeaten on 78.

Joseph Fielding (64) and Matthew Hurst (63) continued the high-scoring theme. Essex deployed eight bowlers, with Hayden Goulstone returning two of 113 before the Lancashire declaration came with the host on 545/8.

Despite Lancashire’s first-innings advantage, the game already looked well-set for a stalemate. And so it proved.

Browne and Josh Rymell gleaned valuable minutes in the middle. Browne became the third Centurian, scoring an unbeaten 119 off 179. Rymell reached 77 during his 154-minute stint, while Gorantla scored his second half-century before the contest concluded with Essex on 254/2 dec.