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Match Preview | Lancashire v Essex

Pace-setters Essex meet nearest pursuers Lancashire at Old Trafford starting on Tuesday in the race for the Specsavers County Championship Division One title.

After a fifth successive win in the competition this year with the victory over Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground, Essex took the tally of wins to seven and remain unbeaten with just four matches remaining.

The Red Rose county also recorded a win in their last match when they beat Warwickshire and that left them 36 points adrift of the league leaders.

Chris Silverwood was naturally a proud man after watching his team brush aside a Somerset side after the home side had trailed by 5 runs on first innings. This was after losing the services of Mohammad Amir who was sidelined with a back spasm sustained during the early stages of the Somerset first innings.

However, fellow paceman Jamie Porter stepped forward to spearhead the attack. He took seven Somerset wickets in the second innings, taking his haul for the match to 12 and on the way, recorded his 50th Championship wicket of the summer.

“We showed great character,” the Essex Head Coach admitted. “Going into the last day, we knew we had a lot of hard work ahead but Nick Browne, Adam Wheater and Tendo [Ryan ten Doeschate] got runs on the board for us. Then, being a bowler down, for Ports to step up and do what he did was absolutely fantastic.

“So there were some good individual performances but Jamie’s was the stand-out one. To force the victory from where we were at one stage and with the loss of virtually a day’s play was incredible and the boys keep showing us they can find ways of winning.

“That’s what good teams do and these guys are turning into a good team.”

Looking ahead had to the Lancashire game, he continued, “We’ve got a nice healthy gap points wise between us and them, and it does give us a bit of a breathing space but there is a massive game in prospect next week when we play at Old Trafford.

“We are really looking forward to the contest and as I say, it should be a cracking match.

“We can’t wait to get started.”

Essex squad to face Lancashire:

Varun Chopra (27) Captain
James Foster (7) Wicket Keeper
Mohammad Amir (5)
Nick Browne (10)
Simon Harmer (11)
Sam Cook (16)
Paul Walter (22)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Matt Dixon (30)
Adam Wheater (31)
Jamie Porter (44)
Callum Taylor (67)
Ashar Zaidi (99)

 

Porter smashes through Somerset to record career-best figures

Jamie Porter guided Essex to an unexpected victory on Day Four against Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground by tearing through the visiting batsmen from the very first ball, which saw Marcus Trescothick head back to the Pavilion.

Porter, who reached 50 Championship wickets for the third successive season during the innings, finished the match with figures of 12-95 that was topped off with career best innings figures of 14-2-55-7 to help his side to a 179 run win in front of a jubilant Chelmsford crowd.

Essex now head to Old Trafford next week for what is set to be a clash of titans against second placed Lancashire. Tune into the https://http://essexcricket.org.uk/ and the Essex Cricket social media channels for match coverage.

 

Match Report | Essex v Somerset


Essex v Somerset | Specsavers County Championship | The Cloudfm County Ground

Essex Team | Nick Browne (10), Varun Chopra (6), Dan Lawrence (28), Ravi Bopara (25), Adam Wheater (31), Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (C), James Foster (7), Paul Walter (22), Simon Harmer (11), Mohammad Amir (5), Jamie Porter (44).

Somerset Team | Marcus Trescothick (2), Ed Byrom (97), Tim Rouse (44), James Hildreth (25), Tom Abell (28) (C), Steven Davies (11) (WK), Craig Overton (12), Dom Bess (22), Jack Leach (17), Tim Groenewald (5), Paul van Meerkeren (47).

Umpires | Mike Burns & Neil Mallendar

Toss | Essex won the toss and elected to bat first

Day Four’s Play:

Day Four Reaction |Porter tears through the Somerset batsmen to clinch victory

Day Four | Close of Play Report

Jamie Porter was the Essex hero as he spearheaded them to a 179 run victory over Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground and a step nearer to the County championship Division One title.

The fast bowler returned career-best figures of to finish with a match haul of 12 for 95, another personal best and the first time he has collected 10 wickets in a match. In the process picked up his 50th Championship wicket of the season.

It was a phenomenal effort on his part, particularly as he had to lead the attack in the absence of Mohammad Amir who was sidelined with the back problem he suffered on the second day.

Somerset had been left a victory target of 289 but they were never able to mount a challenge after Porter left them in disarray in an opening spell that brought him four wickets in his first seven overs.

He began by forcing Marcus Trescothick to chop the ball onto his stumps with his second delivery and went on to get rid of Tom Rouse, Ed Byrom and James Hildreth at a cost of 34 runs before his first spell ended.

Porter was later able to pick up his 50th wicket of the campaign when he had Steven Davies taken at third slip by Nick Browne. He followed it up with the wickets of Jack Leach and Tim Groenewald to return innings figures of 7 for 55 as Somerset were bowled out for 109 despite the resistance of Craig Overton who defied the Essex attack for 103 minutes before falling to Simon Harmer for 36.

Off-spinner Harmer also claimed the wickets of Tom Abell and Dom Bess, neither of whom scored, to end with 3 for 29 as Essex were able to celebrate their fifth successive victory which sends them into next week’s match against nearest rivals Lancashire with a commanding 36 points lead.

Earlier Essex made 293 in their second innings after resuming on 158  for 4. Adam Wheater added 30 to his overnight 58 before he was caught behind while skipper Ryan ten Doeschate struck a fluent 67 from 90 balls before he presented Trescothick with an easy slip catch to provide off-spinner Jack leach with success.

Essex will now make the trip to Old Trafford next week with confidence sky-high over opponents Lancashire who are their nearest pursuers in the fight for the title.

Day Four | Tea Report

Essex added a further 9 runs after Lunch before their innings came to an end at 293 with Mohammad Amir unable to bat because of a back problem.

Both wickets after Lunch were claimed by Dom Bess as he trapped Simon Harmer lbw and had Jamie Porter caught behind.

But Porter was to make a dramatic impact when Somerset set off on their quest to make 289 for victory.

The paceman struck with his second delivery when Marcus Trescothick played on and he followed that success quickly with two more wickets.

Tim Rouse was caught behind in Porter’s second over and in his fourth, he removed Ed Byrom again with the help of Foster.

That left the West Country side 31 for 3 and they were plunged into deeper trouble one run later when off-spinner Harmer gained an lbw verdict to send Tom Abell back to the pavilion for a duck.

As Essex closed in on a victory that would make them odds-on favourites to lift the title, Porter was to strike again with the total on 42.

James Hildreth had contributed 22 of them when Foster held a fine catch low down.

Porter was eventually rested with figures of 4 for 34 from seven overs but Craig Overton and Steven Davies battled defiantly through 13 overs to take Somerset to 77 for 5 at Tea.

Day Four | Lunch Report

Essex built up a lead of 279 at lunch on the final day of their County Championship Division One clash with Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground.

After resuming on 158 for 4, they  reached the break on 284 for 7, with skipper Ryan ten Doeschate leading the way with 67.

He reached his half-century from 76 deliveries and it contained only four boundaries but his ability to find the gaps on either side of the wicket ensured the score moved along at an encouraging rate.

Adam Wheater carried his overnight score of 58 to 88 before he was caught behind the wicket by Steven Davies from a Craig Overton delivery that lifted sharply.

It included 11 fours and his departure following a stand of 77 in 20 overs paved the way for James Foster to join ten Doeschate and maintain the tempo.

He scored 22 while helping the skipper put together a half-century stand in nine overs but immediately afterwards, he was trapped lbw by Tim Groenewald.

Without addition to the total of 284, ten Doeschate’s fine innings came to an end with what proved the last ball before lunch. He got an edge pushing forward against spinner Jack Leach and Marcus Trescothick accepted an easy slip catch.

Day Three Reaction | Adam Wheater talks after a frustrating day at Chelmsford

Day Three’s Play


Day Three | Close of Play Report Essex and Somerset were frustrated in their attempts to continue their absorbing match when rain restricted play on Day Three to just 13 overs. In the time that was available, the league leaders added a further 41 runs to reach 158 for 4 before the rain arrived at 12.05pm to bring the curtain down on the day’s intended events. Rain had already delayed the resumption of play by 15 minutes when Essex resumed their second innings on 117 for 3 and they had gained an overall lead of 153 before the weather intervened once again. Their one setback came just before an early Lunch was taken when Nick Browne was bowled by Tim Groenewald for 83, an effort  spanning 198 balls and including 12 fours and a six. The opener was 66 overnight and he and Adam Wheater made encouraging progress in their attempt to give the Championship leaders the ascendancy. Wheater, on 36 at the start of the day, was soon striking the ball sweetly and was to post only his second half-century of the season with a fluent drive at the expense of Paul van Meekeren that brought him his seventh boundary. That stroke also brought up the 100 partnership but Browne’s fine innings was ended soon afterwards as the stand came to an end having raised 118 in 45 overs. The rain arrived with Wheater on 58 and Ryan ten Doeschate still to get off the mark. There is one day left for play with a resumption scheduled at 11.00am tomorrow. Day Three | Lunch Report Essex added a further 41 runs to move to 158 for 4 before rain cut short their progress on the third morning of the County Championship clash with Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground. Rain had already delayed the resumption of play by 15 minutes when Essex resumed their second innings on 117 for 3 and they had gained an overall lead of 153 before the weather intervened once again. Their one setback came just before an early Lunch was taken when Nick Browne was bowled by Tim Groenewald for 83, an effort  spanning 198 balls and including 12 fours and a six. The opener was 66 overnight and he and Adam Wheater made encouraging progress in their attempt to give the Championship leaders the ascendancy. Wheater, on 36 at the start of the day, was soon striking the ball sweetly and was to post only his second half-century of the season with a fluent drive at the expense of Paul van Meekeren that brought him his seventh boundary. That stroke also brought up the 100 partnership but Browne’s fine innings was ended soon afterwards as the stand came to an end having raised 118 in 45 overs. The interval arrived with Wheater on 58 and Ryan ten Doeschate still to get off the mark as the home side reached 158 for 4 wickets. Day Two Reaction | Nick Browne speaks after Day Two against Somerset Day Two | Close of Play Report An unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 78 between Nick Browne and Adam Wheater left Essex’s County Championship match with Somerset evenly poised when bad light and then rain brought the second day’s play at The Cloudfm County Ground to a premature close. The teams are due to resume tomorrow with the home side and Championship leaders 112 runs ahead after they had reached 117 for three when play was  called off. Nick Browne has 66 and Adam Wheater is 36 not out. The pair had joined forces at 39 for 3 after Essex had trailed by just five runs on first innings having bowled the visitors out for 164. There had been a dramatic start to the day’s play when Mohammad Amir struck twice in the  opening over to remove Jack Leach and Craig Overton without addition to the overnight 118 for five. And after that double blow, he returned to the pavilion to receive treatment for a back spasm. Amir however quickly returned to send down one more over before he left the field again and was to take no further part in the demise of Somerset. Jamie Porter was to emerge as the county’s most successful bowler as he picked up the wicket of Steven Davies to claim his third five wicket haul of the season in the Championship. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was to bring the visitors innings to an end when he got rid of Tim Groenewald and Paul van Meekeren in the same over. Porter finished with 5 for 40 from 17 overs while Amir and Harmer emerged with 2-22 and 2-42 respectively. Essex suffered a disastrous start to their second innings when Varun Chopra and Dan Lawrence  departed with eight runs on the board, both lbw victims of Overton. When Ravi Bopara was stumped giving Leach the charge, the home side were in serious trouble. But they were rescued by Browne and Wheater, although the latter did survive a lucky escape on 14 when James Hildreth failed to hold onto a chance at slip with the total on 70. Browne, who top-scored in the Essex first innings with 44, followed up with another valuable effort  that embraced solid defence with aggression when the wayward delivery came along. He completed his half-century from 128 balls with the eighth four of his innings and County will be looking for  him to continue in the same vein in the morning. The left-hander’s boundary count was extended by a top-edged mistimed hook for 6 in an innings that has seen him face 159 deliveries during a 3 hours 10 minutes stay at the crease. Wheater has so far collected four boundaries and faced 96 balls. Shortly before the premature close umpire Neil Mallender, who was unwell, was replaced by Cricket Liaison Officer Phil Whitticase although he stood at square leg  throughout. Day Two | Tea Report At the tea interval, Nick Browne was on 54 and Adam Wheater 16 with the fourth wicket pair having added 45 in carrying Essex to 84 for 3 to give the league leaders a lead of 79 runs. Having resumed on 8 for 2 after Lunch, Essex were to lose a third wicket with the total on 39 when Ravi Bopara was beaten in the flight advancing down the pitch to spinner Jack Leach. His dismissal left a big responsibility resting on the shoulders of Browne and a couple of shots either side of the wicket brought him boundaries. He had been joined by Adam Wheater but soon after reaching double figures and with the total on 70, Wheater was given a “life” as James Hildreth failed to hold onto a sharp slip catch above his head. Browne, who top-scored in the first innings with 44, reached a valuable half-century when he found the cover boundary against spinner Dom Bess to register his eighth four. He also had a 6 to his name having top-edged the ball over third man when he attempted to hook a delivery from Craig Overton. Day Two | Lunch Report Championship leaders Essex conceded a narrow first innings deficit of 5 runs after bowling Somerset out for 164 on the second day of their County Championship clash at The Cloudfm Ground. But then Essex suffered a horrendous start to their second innings when Craig Overton trapped both Varun Chopra and then Dan Lawrence leg before wicket with only 8 runs on the board. The lunch interval arrived with the home side just three runs ahead with Nick Browne 7 not out and Ravi Bopara still to get off the mark. There was a dramatic start to the morning’s play after the visitors had resumed on 118 for 5. It featured fast bowler Mohammad Amir who took two wickets without addition to the overnight total and then retired to the pavilion after receiving treatment on the pitch for a back spasm. Amir returned minutes later to send down another over but then departed again for the remainder of the innings leaving twelfth man Callum Taylor to carry out his fielding duties. In that eventful first over, Amir had Jack Leach caught behind from the day’s second delivery before yorking Craig Overton four balls later. Steven Davies stayed long enough to reach double figures before he was done by the lightning reflexes of wicket-keeper James Foster. Simon Harmer failed to hold on to a chance at second slip but Foster dived full length to his left to pull off a magnificent catch as the ball was about to hit the ground. That gave Jamie Porter his third fifth wicket haul in Championship cricket this season before off-spinner Harmer was to bring Somerset’s response to an end by getting rid of Tim Groenewald and Paul van Meekeren in the same over. Those successes saw the South African bowler reach the milestone of 50 Championship wickets in the season but it was Porter with 5 for 40 from 17 overs who emerged with the bowling honours. Day One Reaction | Porter leads fightback on the opening day Day One’s Play:
Day One | Close of Play Report:

Jamie Porter bowled Championship leaders Essex back into the game after they had been dismissed for a disappointing 159 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground.

By the close, he had picked up four wickets at a cost of 27 runs as the visitors responded with 118 for 5. Steven Davies is unbeaten on 7 and Jack Leach is 8 not out.

The only Essex partnership of note featured Nick Browne, who made 44, and Ryan ten Doeschate who contributed 35 of a fifth wicket stand of 51.

Varun Chopra, Dan Lawrence, Ravi Bopara and Adam Wheater all failed to reach double figures as the first four wickets went down for 39.

A fifth would have been achieved by the West Country side one run later had Ed Byrom not spilled an easy catch at square leg offered by Browne when the opener had reached 24.

That reprieve enabled Browne and ten Doeseschate, to launch a recovery of sorts before both were removed soon after lunch that had been taken with Essex 89-4.

Ten Doeschate departed with the score on 90 and Browne went seven runs later.

Both Paul van Meekeren, on Championship debut, and Craig Overton picked up four wickets each at a cost of 60 and 40 respectively, on a pitch that offered swing if the ball was pitched up.

Even so, the Essex batsmen generally looked out of sorts as the innings subsided meekly.

It was only a spirited 22 not out for Mohammad Amir containing five fours that saw the county move beyond the 150 mark to leave their bowlers with a big task to haul their side back into the game.

They responded positively and soon had Somerset struggling at 20 for 3 as Porter removed Marcus Trescothick, caught behind and Byrom when the bowler breached his defences.

Bopara claimed the other early wicket, that of Tim Rouse, before James Hildreth and Tom Abell seized the initiative by carrying the total onto 98.

But then Porter, watched by England fast bowling scout Geoff Arnold, returned for another spell to make a telling input.

Somerset skipper Abell had made 30 when he was snapped up at slip by Chopra while Hildreth, having completed a fine half-century from 67 balls that embraced six boundaries, was superbly caught by Bopara at mid-wicket from a mistimed hook.

It all left Essex going into the second day with renewed hope but with plenty of hard work ahead if they are to gain the ascendancy.

Day One | Tea Report:

Hopes of a substantial Essex recovery quickly evaporated after Lunch as they lost the last six wickets for 60 runs in reaching 159 all out.

The top-of-the-table home side had resumed on 89 for 4 but were in immediate trouble when play recommenced.

Ryan ten Doeschate was dismissed without adding to his lunch score of 35 when he was caught at slip by Marcus Trescothick to end a stand of 51 with Nick Browne and to provide Craig Overton with his third success.

Browne was caught at square leg for 44 in Overton’s next over and a seventh wicket, that of James Foster, fell before the 100 was reached.

He became a slip victim of Tim Groenewald but a flourish by the tail carried Essex beyond 150.

Mohammad Amir struck five boundaries in an unbeaten 22 while Paul Walter, Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter all managed to reach double figures before they departed.

Paul van Meekeren got rid of Walter and Harmer on his way to figures of 4 for 60 while Overton bowled Porter to bring the innings to an end and finish with 4 for 40.

Essex did not have to wait long for success with the ball when the visitors replied, Porter having Trescothick caught behind by Foster with only two runs on the board.

But Ed Byrom and Tim Rouse negotiated the final six overs before tea was taken with the total of 9 for one.

Day One | Lunch Report:

Specsavers County Championship leaders Essex experienced a torrid start after winning the toss against Somerset at The Cloudfm County Ground.

They lost their first four wickets for only 59 and should have suffered a further setback immediately afterwards before recovering to reach lunch on 89 without further loss.

The interval arrived with opener Nick Browne on 39 and Ryan ten Doeschate 35 not out, the pair having fashioned an unbroken 50 runs partnership.

Paul van Meekeren, on his Championship debut, was responsible for the home side’s woes early on as he trapped Varun Chopra lbw for 9 and then had Dan Lawrence edging to James Hildreth at first slip without scoring.

That left Essex 21 for 2 in the 8th over and Ravi Bopara became the next casualty. With the score on 39, he was removed by Craig Overton when trapped in front of his stumps for a single while Adam Wheater fell to Tim Groenewald for three to leave Essex reeling at 39 for 4.

A fifth wicket should have gone down with the total on 40 but Ed Byrom put down a straight forward catch when Browne clipped Groenewald to square leg. Browne’s escape came when he had made 24, either side of which he found the boundary with firm drives.

A couple of fours from a van Meekeren over enabled ten Doeschate to raise the 50 and he quickly followed-up with another couple of boundaries to bring much-needed momentum to the Essex innings.

At lunch, van Meekeren had figures of 8-2-28-2, Overton 8-3-14-2 and Groenewald 7-2-13-1.

 

Neil Wagner set for Essex return

Essex County Cricket Club are pleased to announce that Neil Wagner will return for the culmination of the 2017 season.

The New Zealand International will be available for the last three Specsavers County Championship matches during September, having made a great impression on everyone at the Club during the first half of the season.

Looking to help take Chris Silverwood’s team to the Division One title, Wagner will replace Mohammad Amir when he returns to Pakistan for International duty or following the expected arrival of his first child.

Head Coach Silverwood, is pleased to bring in a familiar face and to have another top-quality bowler at his disposal for the season run-in.

Silverwood said: “Mohammad has made a real impact across all forms of the game since arriving at the Club and has shown his world-class ability to all Essex fans.

“Following the well documented guidance from the PCB on Mohammad’s availability and the expected arrival of his first child, we have decided to re-sign Neil.

“He will come straight back into the team and make an equally positive impact to the side after his successful spell with us earlier on in the season.

“He was keen to return and it is a no-brainer to get another International quality bowler into the squad for the climax of the Division One season.”

Wagner is equally as excited to rejoin the Club and added: “I loved every minute of my spell with Essex earlier on in the season. Everyone around the Club made me feel welcome and we had some very good results as a side.

“I am now looking forward to linking back up with the squad and seeing what we can all achieve together during the conclusion of the season.”

 

Kids for a quid this Bank Holiday Monday!

Red-ball cricket returns to Chelmsford on Monday and ‘Kids go for a quid’ for a Bank Holiday special!

Essex sit top of the pile in Division One and chase their first County Championship title since 1992.

The crowds at The Cloudfm County Ground have been exceptional throughout the season and we are urging Essex fans to continue to support the squad in their quest for glory.

Somerset are the visitors for a crucial clash with the West Country side just as keen for the points in an attempt to stave off relegation.

The likes of Mohammad Amir, Ravi Bopara, Marcus Trescothick and the Overton brothers will be involved in what should be a thrilling four days of cricket.

Take advantage of our ‘Kids for a quid’ offer here.

Cook and Westley named in England squad for West Indies series

Essex batsmen Alastair Cook and Tom Westley have been named in the England squad for the Test series against West Indies that begins next week.

Westley retains his place after making his debut at The Oval and impressing in the series against South Africa.

Surrey’s top order batsman Mark Stoneman replaces Keaton Jennings and is set to earn his first cap in the inaugural day/night Test to be played in this country.

The former Durham opener has been in consistent form this season scoring 1,000 runs in first-class cricket, including a top score of 197 and averaging 58.82 with three centuries.

Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane is included for the first time after impressing this season in the County Championship and earning his first cap in the England IT20 squad back in June.

Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the squad in place of Middlesex’s Steven Finn. Woakes, who has fully recovered from a side strain sustained during the ICC Champions Trophy in June.

James Whitaker, the National Selector, said: “After an excellent series victory over South Africa, our first against them on home soil since 1998, we now look forward to building on our success against the West Indies.

“Selectors would like to offer their congratulations to Mark Stoneman and Mason Crane who thoroughly deserve their opportunity in the squad.

“Keaton Jennings will return to Durham and will look to recapture the form that earned him selection in the first place. I am sure he will find his confidence and look to score runs in the remaining matches of this season.

“Chris Woakes has proved his fitness and returns to the squad having missed most of the summer through injury. He was impressive in his return game at Lord’s this week and if selected in the final line-up, he will be relishing the prospect of playing on his home ground.

“On behalf of the selectors, I would like to wish Joe Root, Trevor Bayliss and all the squad the very best for what will be an exciting series against West Indies.”

England National Cricket Selectors have named the following 13-man squad for the first Investec Test match against West Indies starting at Edgbaston on Thursday August 17.

Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Mason Crane (Hampshire)
Dawid Malan (Middlesex)
Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Mark Stoneman (Surrey)
Tom Westley (Essex)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) 

Investec Test Series Fixtures:

First Investec Test Match, England v West Indies, August 17-21, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Second Investec Test Match, England v West Indies, August 25-29, Headingley, Leeds

Third Investec Test Match, England v West Indies, September 7-11, Lord’s, London

Wheater looking forward to business end of the season

Adam Wheater has endured a difficult first year back at Essex, but there are signs of a return to form in time for the business end of the season.

Wheater has taken the opportunity provided by Tom Westley’s absence on Test duty to lay claim to a regular place in the Essex middle-order.

The 27-year-old hammered a quickfire 50 in the NatWest T20 Blast win at Hampshire last week, and followed up with 34 in the two-day Specsavers County Championship victory against Yorkshire at Scarborough. His fifth-wicket partnership of 58 with captain Ryan ten Doeschate was the highest in a low-scoring match, taking Essex beyond Yorkshire’s first-innings total and towards a 41-point lead in the table.

“My form is slightly better, yes,” he says. “It’s always tough when you’re out of form to put a finger on it and work out where things have been going wrong.

“It has been frustrating, but that’s cricket and you’ve got to stay level-headed and crack on. Hopefully round the corner there are some runs. You just work hard and hope it turns around for you.

“In this sport in particular you’ve got to take it with a pinch of salt; it is what it is. The only disappointing thing is not performing for the team. It’s about winning games for Essex, regardless of personal aspirations, personal goals; it’s about getting over the line for the team.”

Wheater, who has an unenviable record of five ducks, and four other single-figure scores in 18 innings across the three formats this season, and just three knocks above fifty, might be forgiven for longing for the season to end. “Not at all,” he says. “Essex haven’t won Division One for something like 25 years, and to play a part is fantastic. I’m fully embracing it and enjoying it because it’s a very rare position to be in.”

Wheater’s return home after four summers at Hampshire, looked as if it would spell the end of James Foster’s illustrious career behind the stumps. But things haven’t gone as planned for his would-be replacement.

The younger man says: “I was fortunate to have that opportunity at the start of the season and I didn’t perform well enough to deserve keeping the gloves. It was the right decision [to recall Foster] and it was something I agreed with. So there is no frustration or resentment here, it’s just a case of me sticking at it and seeing where it goes.

“It’s not as if me and Fozz are the same age. Next year, two years’ time, three years’ time, there will be opportunities. It’s not as if I need to force anything now by any means. Fozz is a class act; it is what it is. I knew when I came back to Essex this might be the situation so it’s not unexpected.”

Essex’s form in the T20 has been inconsistent and they are bottom of the table going into tonight’s fixture under the Chelmsford lights against Middlesex. Yet they still have an outside chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Wheater said: “It seems as if everyone has beaten everyone. No one has run away with it. I think that is just the strength of the south group. There are no easy teams and no easy wins.

“It’s great we’re still in it otherwise these next four games would be a real slog to get through. So it’s nice there is a consequence – every game is a quarter-final really. To squeeze through would be a great result.”

MATCH PREVIEW | Essex Eagles v Middlesex

Essex Eagles meet Middlesex in the NatWest T20 Blast at The Cloudfm County Ground on Friday night.

Although the Eagles start the match at the foot of the South Group with four matches to play, they still hold a realistic chance of reaching the quarter final stage.

In the previous match in the competition, Essex beat Hampshire by 4 wickets at the Ageas Bowl after opener and former Hampshire batsman Adam Wheater scored 50 to pave the way for only the third success for the Eagles in this year’s shortest form of the game.

Recently promoted to open the innings in T20 cricket, the 27 year-old played with gusto to lay the foundations for the win.

“With what we have in the middle order it would be criminal for me to go out there and not try and give it a whack because it could be wasted,” he explained. “Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t but to go on from the little starts to a bigger start was pleasing.”

He admitted it was a vital win. “It was a good win and a needed win because potentially, if we hadn’t won this, we could have been out if it,” he acknowledged

“It is a tight group, we are still bottom but we are not far off third. If games go our way we will see where we are.”

Middlesex, who sit just one place above the Eagles in the South Group, have a similar record to their hosts with 3 wins and 8 points from 10 matches and they are without a victory in six attempts away from home ahead of this encounter.

Essex will be seeking back-to-back T20 wins on home turf for the first time in over a year.

Head Coach Chris Silverwood has named a 13-man squad and has stressed the importance of the match. “It’s a must win game for us” he said. “But so are the other three matches we have left if we are going to have any chance of qualification for the knockout stage.

“We have had some excellent individual performances and some of the younger players are showing how much they are benefiting from playing this format of cricket. We had a good win against Hampshire in our last game and that showed we are capable of producing some good T20 cricket.

“As ever, we will go out and try and produce our best cricket which we have done at times in this competition and see where it takes us.”

Essex squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) Captain
James Foster (7) WK
Mohammad Amir (5)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Varun Chopra (6)
Matt Dixon (30)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Jamie Porter (44)
Callum Taylor (67)
Paul Walter (22)
Adam Wheater (31)
Ashar Zaidi (99)

WATCH | Porter talks after Essex romp to victory

After a comprehensive win over Yorkshire at the illustrious Scarborough Cricket Festival, Essex now move closer to the Championship trophy with just 5 games remaining. The win came inside 2 days at North Marine Road with another emphatic team performance which sure an individual come to the forefront; in this case star bowler Mohammad Amir.

The Pakistan international finished with figures of 10-72 and show what a class act he is. Amir was duly supported by fellow opening bowler, Jamie Porter who finished with 7 wickets himself and finised off the Yorkshire second with the wicket of Jack Leaning.

Jamie is now third in the Division One wicket taker list with 40 wickets to his name and he spoke after play to reflect on another remarkable match in the Specsavers County Championship, and explains what it’s like to be bowling in tandem with a player like Amir.

 

Match Report | Yorkshire v Essex

Yorkshire v Essex | Specsavers County Championship | North Marine Road, Scarborough

Yorkshire Team | Adam Lyth, Alex Lees, Harry Brook, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Jack Leaning, Tim Bresnan*, Adil Rashid, Andrew Hodd +, Jack Brooks, Ben Coad, Ryan Sidebottom.

Essex Team | Varun Chopra, Nick Browne, Dan Lawrence, Ravi Bopara, Adam Wheater, Ryan ten Doeschate*, James Foster +, Paul Walter, Simon Harmer, Mohammad Amir, Jamie Porter.

Umpires | Robert Bailey & Billy Taylor

Toss | Uncontested, Essex chose to bowl first

Result | Essex won by 8 wickets

Watch | View clips from the Match via the Essex Mathzone – Here

Day Two | Match Highlights:

Day Two | Close of Play Report:

Essex beat Yorkshire by 8 wickets at Scarborough to collect 20 more points from their sixth win of the season in the Specsavers County Championship. The stand-out performances came from Mohammad Amir with 10 wickets in the match and a battling 88 from Ryan ten Doeschate but the remainder of their colleagues all played a valuable support role.

The margin of victory only underlines the dominant and ruthless performance of the title-chasers who dictated this match from the moment that skipper Ryan ten Doeschate opted for an uncontested toss and then saw his bowlers dismiss the home side for 113.

Ten Doeschate then played a captain’s part with a magnificent innings that proved the top-score of the game that earned his side a 118 runs first innings lead after the visitors had added 43 runs to their overnight 188 for 8.

It was new ball pair Amir and Jamie Porter who then stepped up once more as Essex took the game by the scruff of the neck. Pakistan fast bowler took 5 for 54 to end with match figures of 10-72 (a career-best), while Porter returned second innings figures of 4 for 41.

The duo reduced the White Rose county 37 for 6 with both bowling beautifully, Amir bowling with hostility and venom and Porter finding swing to wreck the home side’s innings.

Both Alex Lees and Tim Bresnan completed “pairs” and of the first seven batsmen in the Yorkshire order, only two managed double figures.

Porter started the collapse when he trapped Adam Lyth, who had scored 68 in his first visit to the crease, for a duck with the second delivery of the innings. Not to be outdone, Amir also struck with his second delivery having Lees caught by James Foster.

There was still not a run on the board and only 14 had been accrued when Amir found a delivery that swung back into Tom Kohler-Cadmore who had scored 13.

Porter had Harry Brook picked up by Varun Chopra at slip when the batsman pushed forward before Bresnan and Adil Rashid fell in four Amir deliveries.

Bresnan edged a sharply lifting delivery to Simon Harmer at second slip whilst Rashid hung out his bat at a ball outside off and edged to Foster for the fourth duck of the innings.

There was some resistance from the last four wickets as 113 were added but there was no doubt that the home side were only delaying the inevitable.

Porter pinned Andrew Hodd lbw for 6 with a full-length delivery as the batsman played across the line. Harmer then claimed his 50th first-class wicket of the season when he had Jack Brooks caught at bat/pad by Adam Wheater for 17.

The followed a partnership of 45 between Leaning and Ben Coad during which Leaning reached a 114 ball half-century that embraced 4 fours and 1 six. That alliance was brought to an end by Amir when Coad nicked to second slip and into the safe hands of Harmer having scored 28.

Leaning now decided to hit out freely, twice despatching Porter over the ropes but the bowler was to have the last word when Leaning went for broke once more and once too often.

Instead, he drove to long on where Amir took the catch.

Essex were left requiring only 33 runs for victory and had 26 on the board before Chopra was run out for 13 by Brook from square leg.

Two runs later, Nick Browne skied to mid-off, also for 13, leaving Dan Lawrence (8 not out) to hit the boundary that secured victory.

Day Two | Tea Report:

Essex continued the total domination of this Specsavers County Championship match with Yorkshire at Scarborough when they bowled the home side out for 150 to leave themselves requiring just 33 for victory when they begin the second innings after tea.

Mohammad Amir and Jamie Porter did the damage with Pakistan fast bowler Amir returning 5 for 54 to complete a match haul of 10 for 72 whilst Porter returned second innings figures of 4 for 41.

The White Rose county resumed after lunch on 22 for 3 and their woes continued as they slumped to 37 for 6 within a further 10 overs.

Porter had Harry Brook caught at first slip by Varun Chopra for 9 and having beaten the bat twice in the over, Amir was rewarded when Tim Bresnan edged to Simon Harmer at second slip.

Bresnan thus joined Alex Lees in completing a “pair”. In the next over, Amir grabbed his second wicket in the space of 4 balls when Adil Rashid dabbed outside off and into the gloves of James Foster without score.

The last four wickets added 103 runs with Jack Leaning hitting 70. He and Andrew Hodd posted 19 before Hodd was trapped in front of his stumps by Porter.

Jack Brooks joined Leaning in a stand worth 19 before he succumbed to Harmer who collected his 50th first-class wicket of the campaign.

The highest partnership the innings came between ninth wicket pair Ben Coad and Leaning during which Leaning completed a 114-ball half-century that included a six and 4 fours to ensure that Essex would have to bat again.

Harmer again figured in the next dismissal when he held a catch at second slip to give Amir his tenth wicket of the match to end Coad’s innings of 28 as Yorkshire reached 130 for 9.

With last man Ryan Sidebotom for company, Leaning decided to hit out clubbing a couple of sixes off Porter but the bowler had the last word when he encouraged the batsman to drive to deep long-on where Amir was on hand to take the catch.

Day Two | Lunch Report:

Essex have enjoyed another wonderful morning on Day Two of the Specsavers County Championship match with Yorkshire at Scarborough.

Having carved out a first innings lead of 118 when they were bowled out for 231, the new ball pair of Mohammad Amir and Jamie Porter made early inroads into the home side with three wickets in the first 8 overs.

At the interval, the home side were 22 for 3 still 96 runs behind the top-of-the-table county. Harry Brook Is unbeaten on 4 and Jack Leaning is 5 not out. Mohammad Amir has taken 2 for 11 in 6 overs and Jamie Porter 1 for 9 in 5 overs

The visitors resumed on 188 for 8 adding a further 43 runs before the innings was concluded. Ryan ten Doeschate struck 88 from 130 balls with 12 fours before he was the last wicket to fall.

However there was a moment of anxiety for the visitors when Amir, resuming his ninth wicket stand with ten Doeschate, collided with Ryan Sidebottom turning for a second run and was left sprawled out on the pitch. He received attention from Lead Physio, Chris Clarke-Irons before rising to his feet and continuing his innings after a 7 minute delay.

Amir soon showed his well-being with as boundary off Jack Brooks helping ten Doeschate to a half-century stand in 10 overs before he was caught by the wicket-keeper for 22.

Essex made a fantastic start when Yorkshire began their second innings 118 runs behind their opponents.

Jamie Porter struck with the second ball of the innings to remove the White Rose county’s first innings hero Adam Lyth. The opener, who scored 68 out of 113 first time around, failed to score as Porter produced a wonderful delivery that swung back in to the opener and struck him on the pads.

And still without a run on the board, Amir removed the other opener Alex Lees. With his second delivery, the Pakistan fast bowler raced in and encouraged Lees to flirt fatally outside off to be caught by James Foster.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore got the score moving for the hosts but having scored all but one of the 14 runs on the board, he was undone by Amir who went around the wicket to swing a ball back into the batsman.

Ravi Bopara joined the attack for the penultimate over before lunch and produced a ball that earned an lbw shout to no effect as the home side continued to battle against a bowling force that promised further difficuaties ahead for the home side in the next session.

Day One | Match Highlights:

Day One | Close of Play Report:

A total of 18 wickets tumbled on the opening day at Scarborough as Essex reached 188 for 8 having dismissed Yorkshire for 113 immediately after lunch. Ryan ten Doeschate is unbeaten on 61 and Mohammad Amir is 11 not out.

On a pitch that gave the seam and swing bowlers untold assistance throughout the day Amir, playing only his second Specsavers County Championship match for Essex, returned the outstanding figures of 11.2-4-18-5. He was supported by the impressive Jamie Porter with 3 for 44 and Ravi Bopara 2 for 25 as Yorkshire went from one crisis to another.

However their opponents, after a promising start, experienced problems of their own to capitulate to 139 for 6 but skipper Ryan ten Doeschate stood firm to revive the innings that earned his side a lead of 75 runs by the end of the day.

Amir showed just what a world-class fast bowler he is starting the Yorkshire decline with a wicket in his second over of the day when he had Alex Lees caught by Dan Lawrence at fourth slip for a duck.

He struck again in his next over when completely beating Tom Kohler-Cadmiore for pace to leave the hosts in disarray at 24 for 3, an over after Porter had Harry Brook caught by wicket-keeper James Foster for 4.

If the scoreboard made unpleasant reading for the home supporters amongst the 5,372 attendance at that point, they would have been feeling distinctly uncomfortable – and embarrassed – when their side lost two wickets with only one more run added as Porter struck twice in three deliveries.

Jack Leaning was caught by Foster and Tim Bresnan fell victim to an lbw decision when the bowler slanted the ball into him.

Amir was withdrawn after an opening spell of 6-2-9-2 and Porter gave way to Ravi Bopara who collected two wickets in his first five overs including Adil Rashid for 12 to keep the pressure on the hosts as they reached 63 for 7.

While wickets were tumbling freely, opener Adam Lyth was playing with resolute determination and good sense. He reached a well-structured half-century with the seventh boundary of his innings, this one off Amir, having faced 69 balls.

Amir though was soon to add to his haul with two wickets in three balls as Jack Brooks and Ben Coad both failed to deal with his speed and bounce as Yorkshire succumbed to 74 for 9.

The morning session was extended by 8 overs as the visitors attempted to wrap up the innings although they were unable to dislodge the admirably effective Lyth who showed rare authority amongst the batsmen of whom only one of his colleagues managed double figures.

Last man Ryan Sidebottom also proved defiant as the home side reached lunch on 111-9 but almost immediately upon the resumption, Amir struck again for his five-wickets haul in an Essex sweater.

He found lift as Lyth went onto the back foot and Chopra took the catch at first slip to end the batsman’s 93-ball innings worth 68 runs with nine boundaries.

Chopra was an early casualty when Essex began their reply having scored 11 of the 13 runs on the board but Nick Browne and Lawrence carried the score onto 46 before opener Browne was adjudged to have edged a delivery from Coad into the gloves of the wicket-keeper. The left-hander, having looked comfortable in reaching 23, was less than impressed by the decision and seemed to have good cause but the umpires fickle finger of fate sent him on his way.

Four balls and two runs later, Lawrence went for 14 as the home side started to claw their way back into the game.

Bopara, driving with authority had reached 23 when he hit a long hop to deep square leg to leave the visitors 81for 4 immediately after tea.

A partnership of 58 in 15 overs and the only half-century stand of the day, between Adam Wheater and ten Doeschate took the visitors into a 26 runs lead before the former became the first of two wickets in three balls for Coad.

Wheater timed the ball well to gather 34 before a ball swung away late and he could only guide it into the wicket-keeper’s gloves. Then in the same over, Foster edged to second slip without score to leave Essex 139-6. That became 144 for 7 when Paul Walter was trapped in front of his stumps by Ryan Sidebottom for 4 as three wickets fell in 8 balls.

Simon Harmer scored 7 of a 20 runs stand with his skipper before he was caught at second slip with Essex 51 runs to the good. Ten Doeschate, using nimble footwork to prosper, reached his half-century from 70 balls with six boundaries and was joined by Amir in what could prove a useful unbeaten ninth wicket partnership 24 runs before the close.

Day One | Tea Report:

After the carnage of the morning session when nine Yorkshire batsmen perished, matters settled down somewhat after lunch when just four batsmen lost their wickets.

Essex arrived at tea on 71 for 3 with Ravi Bopara unbeaten on 13 and Adam Wheater 10 not out.

Yorkshire lost their remaining wicket in the afternoon session to be bowled out for 113.

It was Mohammad Amir who ended the home side’s innings after just 2 runs had been added to the lunch score. The Pakistan bowler found the edge when opener Adam Lyth went on the back foot and was caught by Varun Chopra at first slip for 68.

Amir ended with figures of 5 for 18 from 11.2 overs of which 4 were maidens, Jamie Porter took 3 for 44 and Bopara 2 for 25.

Chopra had contributed 11 of the 13 runs on the board in reply when he was trapped leg before wicket by Jack Brooks. Browne was joined by Dan Lawrence and both dealt well with a number of testing deliveries and had added 33 to the total in 12 overs when Browne fell.

The left-hander went forward to paceman Ben Coad and was adjudged to have edged the ball into the gloves of wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd although the opener, having scored 23 with four boundaries, was clearly less than impressed with the umpire’s decision.

Four balls later, Lawrence joined him in the pavilion having scored 14 when he was the victim of a ball from Tim Bresnan that nipped back and beat his defences.

However, Bopara and Wheater batted sensibly and with mature good sense to take the visitors to Tea without further problems.

Day One | Lunch Report:

What a fantastic morning for league leaders Essex on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Yorkshire at Scarborough.

After an uncontested toss, Yorkshire reached lunch on 111 for 9.

Mohammad Amir had figures of 4 for 16 at the break, his new ball partner Jamie Porter 3 for 44 and first change Ravi Bopara 2 for 25.

Apart from opener Adam Lyth who completed a fine unbeaten half-century, the home side floundered against the table-toppers pace attack who caused carnage throughout the session.

Only one batsman apart from Lyth managed to reach double figures – Adil Rashid who scored 12 – as a series of batsmen came and went having made no impression apart from helping the Essex bowlers to boost their tally of wickets.

Amir started the damage in his second over when he had Alex Lees caught by Dan Lawrence at fourth slip for 0 with 12 on the board and then in the next over, Porter sent Harry Brook (4) back to the Pavilion when he edged a delivery that was caught by wicket-keeper James Foster.

Tim Kohler-Cadmore was also on 4 when Amir beat him for pace and knocked back off stump to leave the hosts in trouble at 24 for 3 in the sixth over.

The agony piled on for the home side who then lost two wickets in three balls to Porter. The bowler found bounce and the edge to remove Jack Leaning for 1 with the score on 25 and without addition, Tim Bresnan failed to cope with a delivery that was slanted into the batsman who was leg before without score.

The new ball pair were subsequently given a well-earned break with Amir having figures of 5-2-9-2 and Porter 6-1-27-3.

If Yorkshire believed there was some relief to follow, Bopara ensured those ideas were to be dashed.

Rashid had moved to12 when he moved across his stumps and was leg before to the Essex all-rounder. Then with the score on 63, Bopara swung the ball away from Andrew Hodd (5) who edged the ball into Foster’s gloves.

Back came Amir and Porter into the attack as Bopara was given a rest and Amir announced his return with two wickets in one over.

Jack Brooks, on 5, wenton the back foot to defend a lifting delivery but saw the ball end in the hands of Ryan ten Doeschate and two deliveries later, Ben Coad was bowled through the gate without score.

Lyth though was unmoved and unflustered moving to a 69 ball half-century that embraced 7 fours and he and last man Ryan Sidebottom saw the total into three figures with an unbeaten 37 runs stand.

With nine wickets down at the scheduled lunch break, an extra half-hour was taken as Essex attempted to wind up the innings but the tenth wicket pair held out. The lengthy session even saw the umpires lose count as they called time for the morning’s play after only seven of the statutory eight overs extra had been bowled.

With the crowd swarming onto the outfield, the Yorkshire scorer alerted the umpires about the “missing” over. The officials then had to recall the players whilst the PA announcer sent out messages for spectators to return to their places.