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Essex play the second of their back-to-back Vitality Blast fixtures against Glamorgan as the side from Wales visit Chelmsford.

The Eagles will be looking to cement their position in the top four, knowing that a win over 5th-place Glamorgan would increase the gap between them and those outside of the qualification places.

In-Ground Entertainment:

• Head to the new ‘Level Head Bar’ located behind the Doug Insole Pavilion before and during play. Our new bar area is in partnership with Greene King and your opportunity to soak up the atmosphere ahead of play in the company of our live musicians who will be performing throughout the build up to the match.

• We will be joined by up-and-coming acoustic folk punk artist, Fraser from Fraser & The Catastrophes. Often compared to Frank Turner and Jamie T, Frasers’ passion and high-energy captivates the crowd and we can’t wait to welcome him to the Woodland Group stage from 6-7pm as fans gather before play commences.

• Spectators will notice the presence of a Hot Tub, located between the boxes and the Kenton Group Stand, courtesy of Hot Tub Barn. We kindly ask that fans refrain from entering the Hot Tub, but all ticket buyers will be able to claim £500 off an in-store Hot Tub Barn purchase at either their Wickford or Chelmsford branches by quoting ‘T20’ at point of purchase.

Gates Opening Times:

The entry gates to The Cloud County Ground will be open from 5pm via the Main Entrance on New Writtle Street or the Tees River Gate, which is the closest entrance from Chelmsford City Centre and Chelmsford Bus/Train Stations.

Spectators are advised to arrive early to make the most of your matchday and allow you time to locate your seat.

Scheduled Hours of Play:

Toss: 6:30pm
First Innings: 7pm – 8:15pm
Interval: 8:15pm – 8:30pm
Second Innings: 8:30pm – 9:45pm

Matchday Tickets:

Tickets for this fixture have now sold out. However, tickets are still available for next Monday’s fixture against Somerset and can be purchased online from £28 for adults.

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.
Find out more – here

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

Accessibility:

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

Accessible Seating:
Accessible seating is located in The Kenton Group Stand (Hayes Close End) 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).

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 and closes at 11pm for this fixture.

• Meteor Way will be open for Members from three hours before the start of play and on a first-come, first-served basis. This car park will close 30 minutes after play has concluded.

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

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

Please note that there will be a disrupted train service on Friday due to a train strike. For further information and to view the revised timetable, please visit Greater Anglia – here.

Ground Entry:

Spectators are able to enter the ground via the Main Gate located on New Writtle Street or through the Tees River Gate. Please enter through the gate nearest your seat location.

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

General Public Seating:

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

• The Eagles Area is unallocated seating, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

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

• Please note, Blocks 28 and 29 are strictly alcohol-free. If you are seated in either Block you will not be permitted to take an alcoholic beveridge to your seat.

Around the Ground:

• Spectators are not permitted to enter the field of play during a T20 match.

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

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

• Scorecards will be available for £1 from the Club Store for cash or card payment.

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

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

Food & Drink:

• The Food Court is located in the blue area of the ground by the Essex Cricket Store which includes hog roast for this match.

• The Level Head Bar is new for 2023! This new area in partnership with Greene King brings you live music and beer garden vibes to enjoy before and throughout your evening with us.

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

• Anne’s Pantry will be offering a choice of hot meals, cakes/snacks, and drinks from their refreshment kiosks located in the Hayes Close End, River End and will also be operating a Food Court outside the Essex Cricket Store.

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 such as cutlery.

• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is now a cashless ground for 2023, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.

Leaving the Ground:

During T20 fixtures, spectators are not allowed to reenter the ground after leaving.

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

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

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

Watch The Action On the Move

Our Live Stream will be available for spectators with multi-angled ball tracking, replays and commentary from Simon Ward and George Harper Jr.

Head to the Essex Cricket Matchzone to watch the action live, plus view an interactive scorecard, stats and individual match clips.

>> Visit Matchzone

Essex County Cricket Club batter Dan Lawrence will join Surrey at the end of the 2023 season.

Lawrence exercised his right to talk to other counties after turning down a very strong three-year contract proposed by the Club prior to June 01.

The 25-year-old has been part of the Essex team which has challenged for major honours year-on-year since the Club gained promotion to Division One in 2016 but has now agreed terms to join Surrey ahead of the 2024 campaign.

He is a product of the Club’s thriving player pathway and is one of 4 players to have graduated through the Essex Academy and play Test cricket for England after Alastair Cook, Tom Westley and Ben Foakes.

Following his first-class debut in 2015 against Kent in the County Championship, Lawrence recorded his maiden century scoring 161 runs in the next game at The Oval. He has gone on to make 202 appearances for the Club during the nine seasons as a professional.

Lawrence has now joined up with England for the beginning of England’s Ashes Series and he will also captain the London Spirit in this year’s edition of The Hundred, before returning to Chelmsford and being available for selection for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Dan Lawrence, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving Essex CCC at the end of this season. I joined the Essex set up at 14 and have been playing in the Essex league since I was 10 years old. Essex is the county who taught me how to play the game, developed me as a person and allowed me to play the sport I love professionally. Essex enabled my childhood dreams to come true, and I will never be able to thank everyone involved with Essex cricket enough for their contributions to allow a boy from Chingford to live out his childhood dream.

“At the beginning of next season, I will be taking the field for a new team, Surrey CCC. At this stage of my career, I believe a move to the Oval offers a new challenge and would hugely benefit my own ambitions.

“I want to express my deepest appreciation to everyone at Essex, from the coaching staff to my teammates and the passionate fans who are family to me. Your belief in me has been a constant source of inspiration and a huge part of my development. As I embark on this new chapter, I kindly ask for your continued support.

“Thank you, Essex, for everything. The memories and lessons learned will forever hold a cherished place in my heart.”

Anthony McGrath, Essex Head Coach, said: “Dan has expressed his desire to move to Surrey which we accept after turning down our contract offer. He has been an important part of our achievements in recent years, and we are all proud of his progression to the international stage, which includes the opportunity to play in the Ashes this summer.

“He is an exemplar of the success that Essex’s Academy has had in producing homegrown cricketers who go on to represent their club and country.

“We’re excited about the youngsters who are on their own journeys to the bigger things at Essex who can replicate Dan’s progression into the First Team setup in the coming years.

“Dan still has a role to play in the remainder of the season as we strive for silverware across all formats. He is dedicated to working towards our aims this season as a Club and will still be available for selection around his other commitments.”

Essex Cricket are excited to welcome Eastern Crane Hire, leading supplier of lifting solutions across the South-East, as our latest Partner of the Club.

The three-year partnership will offer significant benefits to both parties, with Eastern Crane Hire’s brand exposure set to increase as they become the latest addition to our Pitchside advertising carousel. Furthermore, Eastern Crane Hire are now the official affiliated partner of former England Cricket Captain and current Essex Men’s First XI player Sir Alastair Cook.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Eastern Crane Hire’s Director, Christopher Ashworth said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Essex Cricket, it is an honour to share our enjoyment of the sport and show our support to this fantastic, historic club.

As a business that values teamwork, discipline, and a commitment to excellence, we are excited about the opportunities that this partnership presents for us.”

Head of Commercial, Will Thomas, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Eastern Crane Hire on board as our latest partner at the Club. They have a wealth of experience and a fantastic reputation, so we are very much looking forward to working together in the seasons to come.”

About Eastern Crane Hire

Eastern Crane Hire is a reputable family-owned business supplying Crane Hire and Contract Lifting Services, operating a modern fleet of mobile cranes and specialist lifting equipment.  Established in 2016, Eastern Crane Hire is committed to delivering exceptional service and results to its clients.

For more information about Eastern Crane Hire, visit www.easterncranehire.co.uk

In May, Essex enjoyed three matches as part of their LV= Insurance County Championship campaign as well as facing Ireland for a tourist match before making their T20 debut at the end of the month against Gloucestershire at home.

We’re pleased to announce your DeVines Player of the Month for May is Robin Das! In May, Robin Das made a stunning introduction to red-ball cricket debut, achieving a maiden First-Class century against Ireland. During the first Vitality Blast match at home, Robin also triumphed with a superb maiden Vitality Blast half-century against Gloucestershire. He is a brilliant asset to the team and has made excellent progress this season.

Surrey (H):

LV= Insurance County Championship

On the first day, Essex had looked comfortable taking first use of a flat track under light cloud cover when Cook and Nick Browne put on 62 at a run-a-minute for the first wicket, and Tom Westley and Matt Critchley added 114 for the fourth wicket in 34 overs. Cook (51), Westley (62) and Critchley (60) all made hay before a mid-innings collapse in the face of a swinging ball in late afternoon.

Warwickshire (A):

LV= Insurance County Championship

On Day Two, a big lead beckoned but the seeds of an Essex fightback had been sown by Sam Cook and Simon Harmer. Late in the morning they bowled 14 overs for 17 runs to ensure that, despite wickets intact, the home side had not got away. Then, after lunch, wickets came in a heap.

Nottinghamshire (A):

LV= Insurance County Championship

Half-centuries from Alastair Cook and Tom Westley were the mainstay of Essex’s 298 all out after being put in by Nottinghamshire on the opening day of their LV= Insurance County Championship match at Trent Bridge.

On Day Four, skipper Tom Westley made 95 and Tom Lawrence 52 to put Essex in a strong position.

Ireland (H):

Tourist Match

Robin Das made a stunning introduction to his first-class career when he struck 132 out of the Essex total of 343 all out before Ireland reached 38 for 2 at the close of play on the opening day of their three-day friendly at the Cloud County Ground.

The first day of the match belonged to 21-year-old Das, one of a quarter of players in the Essex side making their first-class debuts. The Leytonstone-born right-hander played superbly displaying impeccable timing and technique from the moment he arrived at the crease.

Gloucestershire (A):

Vitality Blast T20

Robin Das continued his incredible breakthrough week with his maiden Vitality Blast half-century as Essex belatedly began the campaign with a three-wicket victory over Gloucestershire. Das, the 21-year-old batter, struck a century on his first-class debut against Ireland on Friday before crashing a stylish 69 to help Essex towards a daunting 196 target. Voting is now open! Cast your vote below:

The venues hosting England Men’s and England Women’s International matches over the seven-year period from 2025 to 2031 have been announced, with Chelmsford set to host more Women’s International cricket during this period.

The England Women will play limited-overs cricket at The Cloud County Ground in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031. See below for a full breakdown of Women’s International venues during this period.

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “This year’s Men’s and Women’s Ashes are only days away, but fans can already start looking forward to more great clashes up and down the country in the years ahead.

“For the first time, we are announcing long-term allocations for Women’s international matches as well as Men’s. We have seen huge growth in attendances for Women’s matches in recent years, with this year’s Women’s Ashes smashing previous records, and we want to build further on this in the years ahead.

“By announcing arrangements for the next seven years, we are also giving venues long-term certainty so that they can invest sustainably into stadium improvements and improved fan experiences.”

Vitality WIT20: England Women v Sri Lanka Women | Saturday 02 September, 2:30pm

England Women’s fans don’t have long to wait to until they can see International action at The Cloud County Ground, with England Women taking on Sri Lanka Women in a Vitality WIT20 this September.

Tickets for that game are available from £20 for adults, £16 young adults and just £5 for juniors.

Essex: Jessica Bird (c), Yasmin Daswani, Catherine Dalton, Scarlett Hughes (wk), Matilda Callaghan, Katherine Speed, Grace Poole, Jessica Olorenshaw, Bella Johnson, Prisha Bedi, Sally Chapman

Surrey: Laxmi Johal, Amy Gordon, Aylish Cranstone (c), Madeleine Blinkhorn-Jones, Charlotte Stubbs, Hannah Burridge (wk), Robyn Bentley, Daisy Feast, L Bailey, A Chahal, Charlotte Lambert

Match Details:

Umpires: Angela Tuff & David Braulick
Toss: Essex Women won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Essex Women won by 48 runs

Match Report:

Essex Women 260/7 (50.0 overs)
Surrey Women 212 all out (45.0 overs)

Half-centuries from Catherine Dalton, Scarlett Hughes and Grace Poole went some way towards earning Essex Women a convincing 48-run victory over Surrey in their opening Women’s London Championship match of the season at the Felsted School.

Dalton hit 62 off 71 balls, while wicketkeeper/batter Hughes scored 67 from 91 as Essex posted 260 for seven. Poole contributed an impressive unbeaten 50 to put the home side in a strong position. Amy Gordon returned bowling figures of two for 53 from her ten overs as the teams toiled in soaring temperatures.

Responding, Surrey’s Daisy Feast became the fourth player in the match to reach fifty before becoming one of Poole’s five victims. Madeleine Blinkhorn-Jones scored 45, but the chase was always going to be a tall order for the visitors.

Poole’s figures of five for 49 from ten proved to be the best from an Essex bowler, while Sally Chapman and Prisha Bedi took two apiece as the host confirmed their success with some to spare.

Essex v Somerset
LV= Insurance County Championship
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Sunday 11 – Wednesday 14 June
11am Start

As the Vitality Blast reaches it’s midway point, attention turns, albeit briefly, back to red-ball cricket with Essex playing an important home fixture against Somerset.

After a strong start to the season, Essex have lost a bit of momentum in the LV= Insurance County Championship. However, with still only 19 points separating Essex and second place, a positive result against Somerset will see the Eagles in a strong position after seven fixtures.

Somerset, on the other hand, endured a difficult start to their 2023 Championship campaign. A good win last time out against Middlesex has propelled them up the table and they now sit seven points above Essex in fifth place.

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 suffering from a finger injury sustained in the Vitality Blast match against Sussex Sharks.

Tom Abell, Kasey Aldridge, George Bartlett, Shoaib Bashir, Sean Dickson, Josh Davey, Ben Green, Matt Henry, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton, James Rew and Roelof van der Merwe.

Division One Standings:

The Opposition:

After the retirement of stalwart James Hildreth and a difficult 2022 season for Somerset in the batting department, they recruited opener Sean Dickson from Durham and Yorkshire’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore in order to bolster their batting stocks for the 2023 season.

After a shaky start, their investment in the batting unit seems to have paid off, their tally of 14 batting bonus points is the highest in the Division, although Dickson’s struggles led him to being left out of the side for their last two fixtures.

Somerset’s seam bowling trio of Craig Overton, Matt Henry and Peter Siddle should be enough to match any side in Division One, however Lewis Gregory has been the standout with the ball. His 23 wickets at 21.34 lead the rest by some distance.

Overton and Siddle both struggled to pick up early wickets in April, but have since found their stride, however Overton’s return of 13 wickets at 32 is something Somerset will be hoping improves.

Young wicket-keeper James Rew has been one of the standout players in the Division this season. He’s no stranger to Essex fans after his century at Chelmsford last year and his tally of 564 runs this season sees him second only to Essex skipper Tom Westley (574) in the run-scoring charts.

Last Time We Met:

When the two sides met at Chelmsford last July, it was a game dominated by the bat.

Batting first, Essex piled on the runs with Nick Browne making an unbeaten 234 and Paul Walter returning to the side with a well-made 86.

After declaring on 505-9, Essex picked up the wicket of Tom Lammonby in the first 10 overs but where then made to wait another 70 overs before their second. Matt Renshaw made 146 and Tom Abell scored 90 before retiring hurt.

The aforementioned James Rew and Tom Banton both completed centuries before Somerset too declared on 605-6.

With little time left in the game, the teams shook hands with Essex on 30-1 and both sides took 12 points from the game.

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:

Chelmsford is set for a spell of warm weather and the prospect of watching cricket whilst basking in the sun is a very realistic one. Tickets for the game are available from £14 if you purchase online before the game, or £17 on the gate.

Essex return to red-ball action after the first block of Vitality Blast fixtures to take on Somerset in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

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.

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