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Young leg-spinning all-rounder Luc Benkenstein has committed his future to Essex after signing a contract extension until the end of the 2027 season.

Benkenstein, who still does not turn 20 until November, has extended a stay at The Cloud County Ground which began with his debut against Durham in 2021.

He has taken 11 List A wickets at 17.90 apiece since, and this year has broken into the Eagles’ T20 side too, making 11 appearances and scoring his maiden half-century in the format against Hampshire Hawks.

Towards the end of last season, Benkenstein earned international honours with selection for England Under-19s, eventually earning a place in the Three Lions’ squad for the Under-19 World Cup in January.

He has scored 342 Youth ODI runs for his country, with two half-centuries and a top score of 102, while his leg-breaks have brought him ten international wickets at an average of 28.90.

“I’m delighted to extend my contract here,” said Benkenstein. “It’s been a fantastic experience so far, and I’ve loved being able to show everyone what I can do while developing my skills at the same time.

“Earning a spot in the T20 side was particularly special recently, and I’ve always looked to repay the faith shown in me with the performances I know I’m capable of.

“Now, my focus is on keeping going to ensure I can become the best cricketer I can, and I’m confident in saying this is the right place for me to do that!”

Essex Director of Cricket, Anthony McGrath, added: “It’s very pleasing to be able to extend Luc’s stay here. He’s an extremely promising young cricketer with a strong skill-set.

“His performances in the 1st XI have more than merited this extension, and as a coaching group, we’re excited to keep working with him to mould him into an even better player than he is already.”

School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here

As the school holidays approach, the return of 50-over cricket to The Cloud County Ground at the height of summer inches closer.

Essex have been placed in Group B of this season’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, with a testing line-up that includes three of last season’s four semi-finalists lying in wait.

Read on for a team-by-team preview of each of the Group B contenders.

Essex

Captain: Tom Westley
2023 finish: 9th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Beau Webster (260)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Beau Webster (14)
Domestic List A titles: 13 (most recent in 2008)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper, Adam Rossington (London Spirit), Paul Walter (Manchester Originals), Jordan Cox (Oval Invincibles), Sam Cook (Trent Rockets)

The big question: Can Essex improve upon last year’s showing? The 2023 edition of this tournament was a chastising time for the Eagles, winning just one game on the way to a ninth-place group stage finish. Anthony McGrath’s side will be determined to give a better account of themselves this time around.

Key players: The absence of Beau Webster, who was the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker last time, is an opportunity for someone to step up. Young trio Charlie Allison, Noah Thain, and Luc Benkenstein are all a year older, cover many bases, and now have England Under-19 World Cup experience too.

Glamorgan

Captain: Kiran Carlson
2023 finish: 4th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Eddie Byrom (352)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Ben Kellaway (13)
Domestic List A titles: 4 (most recent in 2021)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Chris Cooke, Mason Crane (Welsh Fire)

The big question: Can Glamorgan get over the line and into the knockout stages? A strong finish to the 2023 group stage that included three wins from their last four was not enough for the Welsh outfit to overcome a poor start of just one victory in their first four, and they fell just short of the quarter-finals.

Key players: The 2021 champions will have to make the most of being one of the counties less affected by The Hundred, as Welsh Fire take just two of their players. Eddie Byrom enjoyed a prolific season last year, scoring 352 runs at an average of 50.28, while off-spinner Ben Kellaway took 13 wickets at 22.92 apiece.

Gloucestershire

Captain: James Bracey
2023 finish: Semi-finalists
2023 leading run-scorer: Ollie Price (575)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Paul van Meekeren (17)
Domestic List A titles: 10 (most recent in 2015)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Marchant de Lange (Oval Invincibles), David Payne (Welsh Fire), Matt Taylor (London Spirit)

The big question: Could Gloucestershire be genuine contenders to win the competition? The West Country side fell at the penultimate hurdle last season, suffering a six-wicket loss to eventual champions Leicestershire. They will only lose three players to The Hundred, and could realistically hope to improve on last year.

Key players: In Ollie Price, Gloucestershire possess last season’s third-highest run-scorer in the entire competition, and their entire batting stocks are unaffected by The Hundred. There is much hope that Price, as well as wicketkeeper-batter James Bracey, could again enjoy prolific seasons.

Leicestershire Foxes

Captain: Lewis Hill
2023 finish: Winners
2023 leading run-scorer: Peter Handscomb (401)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Chris Wright (18)
Domestic List A titles: 6 (most recent in 2023)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Rishi Patel, Louis Kimber (Birmingham Phoenix), Josh Hull (Manchester Originals), Rehan Ahmed (Southern Brave)

The big question: How likely are Leicestershire to defend their 2023 title? The man who was key to last year’s triumph, breakout fast bowler Josh Hull, has been called up to Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. Someone will have to step up with the ball if Leicestershire are to have a chance of mounting a strong defence.

Key players: Veteran seamer Chris Wright feels the most likely to fill the gap left by Hull, but off-field issues have left him short of match practice. With the bat, Wiaan Mulder is back after an impressive 2023, while the Foxes’ other overseas man, Australian Peter Handscomb, will aim to build on his 401 runs at 57.28.

Notts Outlaws

Captain: Haseeb Hameed
2023 finish: 5th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Matthew Montgomery (286)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Brett Hutton/Dane Paterson (both 11)
Domestic List A titles: 5 (most recent in 2017)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Ben Duckett (Birmingham Phoenix), Olly Stone (London Spirit), Dillon Pennington (Northern Superchargers), Alex Hales, Calvin Harrison (Trent Rockets), Joe Clarke (Welsh Fire)

The big question: Will the prospect of a home final spur on Notts? The Outlaws are the only county that know they will have home advantage should they reach the showpiece. If they can tidy up the poor finish to the group stage that affected them last year, the East Midlands outfit should be in with a shout.

Key players: Matt Montgomery had a fine individual 2023, scoring 286 runs, and remains a quality player, having deputised for England’s Ben Duckett in a full-strength Nottinghamshire team on several occasions in recent years. Young all-rounder Lyndon James is also still highly regarded at Trent Bridge.

Surrey

Captain: Rory Burns
2023 finish: 8th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Ryan Patel (330)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Cameron Steel (10)
Domestic List A titles: 7 (most recent in 2011)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jamie Smith (Birmingham Phoenix), Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Dan Worrall (London Spirit), Jamie Overton (Manchester Originals), Jordan Clark, Tom Lawes, Jason Roy, Reece Topley (Northern Superchargers), Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Will Jacks (Oval Invincibles), Laurie Evans, Chris Jordan (Southern Brave)

The big question: How do Surrey overcome the loss of so many players? The South London side will lose a staggering 15 players to The Hundred, severely testing their depth. They struggled to adapt to a similarly-huge personnel change in 2023, finishing eighth, so the challenge will be to make the transition smoother.

Key players: Even in losing an entire starting XI and more, Surrey can still select former England Test players Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, and Ben Foakes. If those three set an example to what is likely to be a young group, and Cameron Steel carries on his Championship bowling form, the Brown Caps might just be OK.

Sussex Sharks

Captain: Tom Haines
2023 finish: 9th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Cheteshwar Pujara (384)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Jack Carson (12)
Domestic List A titles: 8 (most recent in 2009)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Jofra Archer, James Coles, Tymal Mills (Southern Brave), Tom Alsop, Ollie Robinson (Trent Rockets)

The big question: What can Sussex do to improve? The Sharks suffered a dreadful campaign last year, losing seven of eight matches. However, their T20 fortunes have turned around in style this season after a couple of indifferent campaigns, and now their challenge will be to do the same in the 50-over format.

Key players: The form of Sussex’s batters in the aforementioned Blast, with Harrison Ward and captain John Simpson seeing the ball especially well in the shortest format, should give reason to hope. Last season’s leading wicket-taker Jack Carson will also hope to improve upon his 12 wickets in 2023.

Warwickshire

Captain: Ed Barnard
2023 finish: Semi-finalists
2023 leading run-scorer: Ed Barnard (616)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Oliver Hannon-Dalby (24)
Domestic List A titles: 12 (most recent in 2016)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Moeen Ali, Jacob Bethell, Dan Mousley, Chris Woakes (Birmingham Phoenix), Richard Gleeson (London Spirit), Danny Briggs, Alex Davies, George Garton (Southern Brave), Sam Hain (Trent Rockets)

The big question: Might Warwickshire’s big names put them in trophy contention? In Ed Barnard, the Bears possess arguably the premier all-round talent not poached by The Hundred, and his status as last year’s competition leading run-scorer backs that up. The West Midlands outfit should be firmly in the mix.

Key players: Not only do Warwickshire have Barnard, but they also have the 2023 leading wicket-taker too in Olly Hannon-Dalby, who took 24 scalps. The issue last year was finding anyone who could back that duo up, but the likes of Will Rhodes, Rob Yates, and spinner Jake Lintott have the talent to impress this year.

Yorkshire Vikings

Captain: Shan Masood
2023 finish: 6th in group
2023 leading run-scorer: Shan Masood (217)
2023 leading wicket-taker: Matthew Revis (10)
Domestic List A titles: 5 (most recent in 2002)
Absentees due to The Hundred: Harry Brook, Adil Rashid (Northern Superchargers), Dawid Malan (Oval Invincibles), Adam Lyth, Joe Root, Jordan Thompson (Trent Rockets), Jonny Bairstow (Welsh Fire)

The big question: Can Yorkshire improve their consistency? Three successive heavy defeats to end the 2023 season derailed any hopes of making the knockout stages. The White Rose will hope to finish more strongly as they bid for a first trophy of any sort in almost a decade.

Key players: Captain Shan Masood is the sort of elder statesman who could reasonably be expected to profit in this competition’s current format, as he did last season. Wicketkeeper Harry Duke, formerly of Essex earlier this year, also maintains a very healthy List A average, while Matt Revis took 10 wickets last year.

School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host two Women’s London Championship matches during the summer holidays.

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
 

Wicket-keeper Simon Fernandes has signed a short-term deal with Essex covering the duration of the 2024 Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Fernandes, 24, was born in Colchester, and having been a member of the Essex Pathway since Under-14 level, made his Second XI Championship debut against Hampshire in August 2021.

He has played Second XI cricket on a more regular basis this year, appearing in five Championship and eight T20 matches, totalling 448 runs across both formats.

Of that amount, 227 have come in T20 cricket at an average of 32.43, with the 24-year-old hitting a top score of 92 off 52 balls against Hampshire earlier this month.

In parallel fashion, his top score in red-ball Second XI cricket is also 92 against Hampshire, as part of 221 runs he has hit in the Second XI Championship at an average of 44.20.

Away from Essex sides, Fernandes has represented the First XI of his home town club of Colchester and East Essex since 2017, and played for his alma maters Oundle School and Durham UCCE.

50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here

Hampshire Hawks v Essex

Vitality Blast

Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Friday 19 July, 7:00pm

Team News

Hampshire Hawks: James Vince*, Ben McDermott+, Tom Prest, Joe Weatherley, Toby Albert, Benny Howell, Liam Dawson, Eddie Jack, Chris Wood, Brad Wheal, John Turner.

Essex: Adam Rossington+, Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Charlie Allison, Simon Harmer*, Luc Benkenstein, Eathan Bosch, Shane Snater, Sam Cook.

Match Details

Umpires: Robert White & Mike Burns
Match Referee: Jason Swift
Scorers: Fiona Newnham & Paul Parkinson
Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Hampshire Hawks won by seven runs

Scorecard: View here

Match Highlights

Match Report

Hampshire Hawks fast bowler John Turner’s best T20 figures knocked Essex out of the Vitality Blast.

The Eagles, who were losing finalists in 2023, only needed a point at Utilita Bowl to overtake Gloucestershire into fourth but were undone by Turner’s four for 23.

Ben McDermott’s exquisite 64, together with 41s for James Vince and Tom Prest got Hawks to a defendable 181.

Essex looked out of it at 58 for five but teenagers Luc Benkenstein and Charlie Allison crashed maiden T20 half-centuries in an 86-run stand.

But Turner’s return at the death ended their hopes of a quarter-final place as Hawks secured a fourth win of an otherwise poor competition by seven runs.

Vince and McDermott got Hawks off to a flyer after being stuck in, as the opening partnership finally clicked in 2024 to put on a highest first wicket stand of 97.

Before this innings, Australian McDermott has only scored 173 runs across this season’s Blast but came alive with a mix of the brutal and inventive for a 39 ball fifty – his 10th across three seasons at Hampshire.

Vince fell nine short of following McDermott to the milestone when Benkenstein bowled him, but Tom Prest entered to thump Paul Walter for 18 off an over.

The Hawks were on for 200, but Shane Snater put a spanner in the works with a double wicket over in the 16th – which saw the back of McDermott for 64 and Benny Howell.

Two overs later, Walter ended Prest’s sensational 41 off 21 ball knock before Liam Dawson identically pulled to deep fine leg.

Joe Weatherley and Toby Albert bashed 25 off the final two overs to drag the hosts to 181 for five – a total Essex would have felt comfortable chasing.

However, things never got going, especially when Adam Rossington tickled the first ball of the innings behind before Chris Wood also found Dean Elgar edging to snare two wickets in the first over of the reply.

Wood passed the flame to Turner – who also began with two wickets in an over.

Michael Pepper skied a caught and bowled, Walter pulled to shirt third before Matt Critchley gave Turner figures of three for six after two overs.

A rescue act was needed for Essex, and two 19-year-olds stepped up.

Benkenstein had already almost single-handedly beaten Glamorgan during a collapse earlier in the season but it was Allison who took control.

His whipped six and hammering over long on were the stands out from a 37-ball fifty – his first in T20 having only previously had 50 runs to his name.

Benkenstein also reached his maiden format half-century – four balls quicker than his contemporary – as the partnership extended to 86.

But with 38 required off 18, Benkenstein scooped straight up to end his fun before Turner clean-bowled Harmer for his fourth.

Turner’s penultimate over only went for six, which left 15 needed off the last, which Wood defended brilliantly – despite Allison ending up on a valiant 69.

50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here

Hampshire Hawks v Essex

Vitality Blast

Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Friday 19 July, 7:00pm

 
It’s do-or-die for Essex heading into the final South Group game of the 2024 Vitality Blast away to Hampshire Hawks at the Utilita Bowl.

After a sensational win over Sussex Sharks last Saturday thanks to Michael Pepper’s barnstorming century, the Eagles remain in contention for the quarter-finals and just need to win in Southampton to seal it.

A victory for Middlesex over Gloucestershire in Chelmsford last night would have seen Anthony McGrath’s side safely into the last eight before a ball was even bowled in Southampton.

However, the two points that the West Country side picked up means the Eagles will have one final crunch clash to win to seal a third consecutive knockout stage appearance.

Squad

With qualification on the line, Head Coach McGrath has named a 14-strong group to travel to Hampshire.

The Inside Line: Paul Walter

The Opposition

Considering their status as one of the most successful teams in the history of the Blast, Hampshire have somewhat underwhelmed in this year’s competition.

The Hawks are one of only two teams to have won the competition three times, joint with Leicestershire Foxes, but their recent run of three consecutive Finals Days has been ended this year.

They currently sit seventh in the South Group, having won just three of their 13 games so far, and are currently on a run of just one victory in their last ten matches.

Joe Weatherley’s 303 runs at 33.66 mark him out as the Hawks’ leading batter, while Michael Neser and John Turner lead the way with the ball, having both claimed 11 wickets.

Hampshire Hawks squad: James Vince*, Toby Albert, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Benny Howell, Eddie Jack, Ben McDermott+, Fletcha Middleton, Tom Prest, John Turner, Joe Weatherley, Brad Wheal, Chris Wood.

Last Time We Met

Essex sealed a convincing eight-wicket win the last time the sides met, at The Cloud County Ground a little under one month ago.

After winning the toss and electing to field, the Eagles restricted Hampshire to 166-7, with 48 from Joe Weatherley and James Fuller’s quickfire 39 restrained by three wickets for Ben Allison.

In response, Dean Elgar struck 60 not out from 44 balls and found confident support from Michael Pepper and Jordan Cox, who hit 44 from 24 and 45 off 25, respectively.

Cox’s innings was also unbeaten, as his unbroken third-wicket stand with Elgar of 59 in just 36 balls saw the hosts knock off their modest target with more than three full overs to spare.

South Group Table

How To Watch

If you are not accompanying the Eagles down the M3 to Southampton, the match will be live-streamed on the hosts’ YouTube channel and will be available to watch through the Essex Cricket Matchzone.

A report will be published on the Club website at the conclusion of the game, while live updates and highlights will be provided on the Essex Cricket social media channels.

Tickets

Seating is unreserved for this match and tickets are still available for the match from Hampshire’s website, priced at £26 for adults and £7 for juniors.

To buy your tickets and support the Eagles on the south coast, visit the link below:

School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host two Women’s London Championship matches during the summer holidays.

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
 

Anthony McGrath has been appointed as Essex Director of Cricket as part of the Club’s management restructure.

McGrath, who has been Men’s First-Team Head Coach since 2018, will continue that role alongside his new responsibilities of overseeing all areas of the Club’s professional cricket department.

That will include Men’s, Women’s, Academy, and Player Pathway areas, and the 48-year-old will continue to receive support from the Cricket Committee and its chair Jason Gallian.

McGrath will also have an integral strategic role in developing the Women’s team and will work closely with the Women’s Head Coach once that role is filled.

“We have achieved sustained success during his tenure as Head Coach, including the memorable and as yet unmatched achievement of winning the Championship and the T20 in the same season in 2019.

“This will allow the Club to create a clear identity and playing style across all our representative teams, and I look forward to seeing every one of those teams continue to flourish under his expanded leadership.”

“I’m honoured to take up this position,” added McGrath. “The Club gave me the chance to become a Head Coach for the first time in 2018 and the backing I’ve received has been fundamental to our success.”

“I’ve got a trusted network of exceptional coaches, who always go above and beyond to deliver elite performance. This is now an opportunity for us to shape the strategic vision of cricket played by men, women, boys and girls in the county.”

School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here

Kent Women v Essex Women

ECB Women’s County 50-Over

Sutton Valence School

Saturday 13 July, 11:00am

Team News

Kent: Ella Darlington, Sam Wright, Genevieve Jeer, Darcey Carter, Coco Streets, Charlotte Pape*, Jodie Hobson, Emily Thompson+, Kaya Clark, Olivia Barnes, Zeena Bilal, Imogen Sheriyar

Essex: Tilly Callaghan, Jasmine Westley, Bella Johnson, Jess Olorenshaw, Kelly Castle*, Scarlett Hughes+, Grace Poole, Sophia Mitchell, Hannah Davis, Sally Chapman, Cara Castleman

Match Details

Umpires: John McBride & Mel Juniper
Scorers: Lin Martin & Joanna Johnson
Toss: Essex won the toss and elected to bowl first
Result: Essex won by nine wickets

Scorecard: View here

Match Report

Hannah Davis ripped through Kent with 5/19 as Essex sealed a crushing Battle of the Bridge win away at Sutton Valence School in the Women’s County 50-Over competition.

Davis returned her figures from 10 overs, with Sally Chapman and Cara Castleman also taking two wickets apiece, as the hosts were bundled out for 134 at the venue on the outskirts of Maidstone.

In response, half-centuries for Tilly Callaghan and Jasmine Westley, the former unbeaten, saw the Eagles race to their target in just 23.5 overs.

Having elected to insert Kent after winning the toss, the visiting attack was heavily restrictive early on, with Grace Poole and Sophia Mitchell keeping the score down to just 33 in the opening 12 overs.

With that pressure having built up, the introduction of Davis saw Essex score the first wicket, with Ella Darlington bowled for 19.

From there, Davis also saw off Genevieve Jeer, caught and bowled for two, and Darlington’s fellow opener Sam Wright, caught by Poole for 15.

That was before Callaghan got in on the act with the ball too, having Darcey Carter caught by Kelly Castle for five to leave Kent 54-4.

The hosts’ situation, although stabilised a little around the halfway point by Coco Streets and captain Charlotte Pape, then got even worse when Davis bowled a double-wicket maiden.

Streets was the first victim of that over, bowled for seven, before Davis rounded it out by pinning Jodie Hobson lbw for a four-ball duck.

Almost immediately afterwards, Emily Thompson hit Chapman to Davis for the first of her two wickets, and she took her second a short while after when top-scorer Pape was finally removed for 26.

Castleman then wrapped up the tail in successive overs by having Kaya Clark held by Castle for 17 and then seeing Olivia Barnes caught behind by Scarlett Hughes for three.

The Eagles began the chase in supremely confident fashion, and openers Callaghan and Westley almost got the job done themselves with an opening partnership of 122.

That included both hitting fifty, with Callaghan the first to do so in 60 balls in the 17th over, before Westley followed in even faster fashion, reaching the milestone from 47 deliveries.

It took the duo just an hour, and 17.5 overs, to bring up three figures, with the belligerent nature of Westley’s innings underlined by the fact she went to fifty with a six.

She was not able to be there at the end, falling to Pape via a Carter catch for 55 off 50 balls, but Callaghan and replacement Bella Johnson knocked off what remained in just 3.5 further overs.

The in-form Johnson supported Callaghan, who ended unbeaten on 66, with five not out, but four of those were the match’s most crucial runs, as she hit Jeer to the fence to confirm a sizeable Essex win.

School’s out, cricket’s in: 50-over cricket in Chelmsford this summer

White-ball action at The Cloud County Ground continues into July and August as the Metro Bank One-Day Cup gets underway.

The competition has not only recently proven itself to be wide open and highly competitive, but also a breeding ground for the next generation of elite cricketers.

With all four matches set to take place during the school summer holidays, each fixture makes a perfect family day out in the heart of Chelmsford.

Wednesday 24 July, 11:00am: Essex v Warwickshire – buy here
Wednesday 31 July, 11:00am: Essex v Leicestershire Foxes – buy here
Sunday 04 August, 11:00am: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here
Friday 09 August, 2:00pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here

Alongside the offering of men’s Metro Bank One Day Cup action, The Cloud County Ground will also host two Women’s London Championship matches during the summer holidays.

Friday 26 July, 11:00am: Essex Women v Kent – buy here
Wednesday 14 August, 11:00am: Essex Women v Sussex – buy here
 

The Vitality Blast South Group is approaching an extraordinary finale, with Thursday’s fixture at The Cloud County Ground having huge ramifications for Essex even though the Eagles aren’t featuring.

At 6:15pm on Thursday 18 July, Middlesex host qualification-contenders Gloucestershire in Chelmsford with the outcome of the match potentially sealing Essex’s place in the Vitality Blast quarter finals.

Essex will be guaranteed a knockout spot if Gloucestershire fail to beat Middlesex. However, if Gloucestershire win at Chelmsford then Essex will require a victory against Hampshire Hawks the following night.

With qualification at stake, Essex fans can see one more group stage fixture at The Cloud County Ground in 2024 from £25 for Adults and £10 for Juniors.

The state of play

The equation for Essex is simple, any points against Hampshire Hawks on Friday night will mean a place in the quarter-finals is confirmed. If Middlesex beat Gloucestershire at Chelmsford, Essex will progress to the quarter finals.

However, if Gloucestershire win and Essex lose it will come down to net run rate. After Gloucestershire’s record-breaking victory over Glamorgan on Sunday their net run rate has risen to +0.502, exceeding Essex’s +0.253.

Essex still have an outside chance of securing a home quarter final, however that would require multiple favours from other sides and a big swing in the net run rate.