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International cricket returns to Chelmsford as England face South Africa in the opening Vitality WIT20 of the series. There’s always a special atmosphere when England play at The Cloud County Ground and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it.

Gates Opening Times:

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.

Scheduled Hours of Play:

Toss: 6:30pm
First Innings: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Interval: 8:15pm – 8:30pm
Second Innings: 8:30pm – 9:45pm

Matchday Tickets:

Ticket’s for the game are still available and be can be purchased via our ticketing site. We encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance to speed up ground entry. Supporters will, however, be able to buy tickets on the gate.

Tickets are available from £10 for Essex County Cricket Club Members, £20 for Adults, £16 for Juniors and £10 for Under 18s.

Tickets can be bought online via the following link or alternatively by phone (01245 254010).

Matchday Purchases:

The Cloud County Ground is a cashless ground, which includes all food and drink purchases in the 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 Seating:
Accessible seating is located in the Hayes Close End of the ground with a wheelchair-accessible platform located in Block One of the Tom Pearce Stand.

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:

We want to make sure supporters are all set ahead of visiting the ground. COVID-19 safety measures have been removed for the 2022 season but spectators are welcome to wear facemasks in the seated areas and whilst walking around the concourse if they choose.

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 or from our automated phone line on 01245 254049.

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.

• 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 42 and 100, which are operated by First Group, 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. Please enter through the gate nearest your seat location.

Members:
• The Doug Insole Pavilion will not be open for Members as it’s in use as an away team area.

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.

• 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 not permitted to enter the field of play during a WIT20.

• 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. Matchday programmes will also be available upon arrival.

• 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.

Food & Drink:

• 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, River End and will also be operating a Food Court outside the Essex Cricket Club 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 can bring food and non-alcoholic beverages, provided they in plastic bottles.

• Please note that The Cloud County Ground is now a cashless ground for 2022, so please make sure you bring a suitable method of payment for your visit.

Leaving the Ground:

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

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.

We’ve teamed up with Trade Nation to offer you three lucky fans the chance to #PlayLikeAPro. Not only will you have the chance to meet your heroes, but you can put your cricket skills to the test against three professional Essex Players. You’ll also be in with a chance of winning one of three amazing prizes!

An Experience You’ll Never Forget:

Complete the form below for a chance to win and attend the #PlayLikeAPro filmed experience at The Cloud County Ground later in the season.*

You Could Also Win:

You could also win one of these incredible prizes:

– Full Training Wear Bundle 🏏
– Signed Shirt & Retail Voucher 🛍️
– LV= Insurance County Championship, Vitality Blast, Royal London Cup shirts with membership for 2023 season 👕

Good Luck!

 Thank you for taking part in #PlayLikeaPro.

This competition is now closed.

–

The closing date is Monday 01 August with three winners chosen at random. This competition is for supporters over the age of 10 years old and the winners will be contacted by email or phone within 72 working hours of the competition closing. Competition terms & conditions apply and only one entry per email address will be valid.

Please note: The experience will be filmed, please only enter this competition if you are happy to appear on camera and are able to attend the filming day later in the season. This may fall on a weekday.

* A precise date will be given to you if you are selected as a winner

Find out more about the Club’s partnership with Trade Nation by visiting – Trade Nation

Essex’s early win over Gloucestershire earned them a rare 5-day break in between fixtures after 6 weeks dominated by the Vitality Blast.

They will head to Surrey coming off the back of three successive victories in the LV= Insurance County Championship and with the prospect of a title race ahead of them.

This game could be a pivotal fixture for Essex as they look to propel themselves towards the top of the table and also halt Surrey’s progress.

Their opposition are, as of yet, unbeaten in red-ball cricket this season, the only side to still be without a loss, and produced a thrilling victory over Yorkshire at Scarborough last week.

However, Essex have hit a fine run of form and recorded a convincing victory of their own last week. Simon Harmer was yet again in imperious form, taking 13/156 in the game and completing back-to-back 10 wicket hauls in the process.

Squad:

Essex welcome Sam Cook back to the squad after two impressive outings for England Lions where he took 1/55 and 3/56.

The Opposition:

Surrey have had an excellent season in all forms of cricket, particularly in the County Championship where they have hogged the top spot in the Division One table.

Of their 9 games so far this season they have won 5 and drawn 4 leaving them on 165 points, 15 clear of second-place Hampshire and 47 clear of Essex – although Essex have a game in hand.

Surrey’s season has been underpinned by their form at The Oval, where they have won all but 1 of their games. Playing on good batting tracks, they have compiled more than 400 runs in 3 of their 4 first-innings totals.

However, Essex have a remarkable red-ball record playing away to Surrey, having only lost once away to their hosts since the 1990s. That came in 2006 when a Surrey side captained by Mark Butcher and including Mark Ramprakash and Mohammad Akram beat Ronnie Irani’s Essex at Whitgift School.

With such a strong record of first-innings scores, it’s unsurprising that plenty of Surrey batters have good numbers behind them this season. Rory Burns’ 570 runs at 47.50 leads the way, but Ben Foakes has the extraordinary average of 130.75 for his 523 runs so far this season.

Jamie Overton is realising his potential this season and his 27 wickets at 22.92 are the most of any Surrey bowler. He is also averaging 45.33 with the bat.

Surrey are likely to be without their England contingent with Jason Roy, Sam Curran and Reece Topley having been selected in England’s ODI squad to face South Africa. However, they recently announced the return of Kemar Roach who will be available in time for tomorrow’s game.

Last time out:

The last time these two sides met in red-ball cricket, the Surrey bowlers were on the receiving end of another Alastair Cook masterclass as his 165 guided Essex to 439 in their first-innings.

In response, Surrey lost two wickets without a run being scored and despite a Hashim Amla 84, they slumped to 161 all out. Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter picked up 3 wickets each, whilst there were 2 each for Sam Cook and Shane Snater.

Rain came to Surrey’s rescue, with the entirety of Day 3 being lost to the weather. Despite Essex enforcing the follow-on, time was no longer on their side and the game finished in a draw with Surrey on 113-2 in their second-innings, still trailing Essex by 165 runs.

How To Watch:

A free live stream of the game will be provided by our hosts. The Essex Cricket Matchzone is also free to view, which includes player stats, scorecards and clips throughout the match.

The broadcast can be accessed via the Essex Cricket Matchzone here.

The winner for June 2022 is Michael Pepper after receiving a whopping 55% of the overall votes. We’re pleased to announce that Jack Eglington is the winner of our prize draw to win a signed shirt after choosing Pepper as their May DeVines Player of the Month.

The start of June saw Pepper play a key role in the Eagles’ superb winning streak of home games at the Cloud County Ground. In the first home fixture against Hampshire Hawks, Pepper dispatched 4 sixes and 8 fours helping to secure their first home T20 victory over Hampshire since 2017. Pepper continued his Vitality Blast love affair achieving a career best 86* in the battle against Somerset on Sunday 19 June.

Scoring an incredible 269 runs in June, Pepper was on form, scoring an impressive 14 sixes and 27 fours as the month drew to a close.

Michael Pepper with Clive & Alison Purdy of DeVines Accountants.

About DeVines:

DeVines is a long-established firm of Chartered Accountants based in Chelmsford in Essex.

Their goal is to provide professional and friendly service to our clients. They cater for those who have very simple personal tax affairs up to large SMEs who seek a full accountancy and advice service.

To find out more, visit their website www.devinesaccountants.co.uk

We are delighted to announce the three-year extension of our partnership with Greene King. Our connection to the UK’s leading pub retailer began in 2015, with their drinks being served, shared and enjoyed by Essex fans ever since.

The Club partner has helped to establish a wider variety of beverages for our guests. The introduction of Greene King IPA and six real ales went down a treat with our members, with the addition of an exclusive gin bar catering to those with a taste for spirits.

Essex Cricket can’t wait to see the award-winning beverages being poured during our ever-popular Vitality Blast games this season.

Ruth Howlett, Partnerships & Hospitality Manager for Essex Cricket, said:

“Greene King have played a significant role in the expansion and improvement of our drinks menu offering at The Cloud County Ground. From lager and IPA to spirits and soft drinks, their high-quality beverages never go a miss!

We have had great feedback from our members over the years and look forward to making more great memories with the pub retailer.”

Simon Edgar, Head of Sales at Free Trade England, said:

“We are delighted to be further extending our Greene King partnership with Essex Cricket. With the return of full capacity crowds to The Cloud County Ground this season promises much across all formats of the game. We look forward to continuing to provide our extensive and popular range of brands as we seek to make further improvements to the Matchday experience for members, spectators and hospitality guests – including the ever-popular beer of sports fans, Greene King IPA.”

About Greene King

Greene King is the country’s leading pub retailer and brewer, running over 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels in towns, villages and city-centre high streets across England, Wales and Scotland.

They are a proud, long-term supporter of sports clubs and associations throughout the UK.

With a rich heritage of over 200 years, they brew award-winning beers and operate managed, tenanted, leased and franchised pubs from their headquarters in Bury St. Edmunds.

This season, Essex Eagles batters’ incredible performance helped raise £1357 for Panathlon Challenge. Panathlon is a national charity that supports thousands of young people with disabilities and special educational needs by providing the opportunity to take part in competitive sports.

Even the pandemic could not get in the way of the Panathlon team’s heart-warming mission, as they adapted their resources to create a Virtual Programme. The charity delivers competitive pathways across the UK, including national finals at prestigious Olympic and Paralympic venues.

This year, Woodland Group created a £1 for every run campaign, pledging to donate £1 to Panathlon for every home run scored by the Eagles.

On Saturday 2 July, as the group games ended, the Eagles put on a record-breaking show. The team beat their previous high score, with a total of 254 runs against Glamorgan. This is the highest T20 total in 20 years at Chelmsford!

This brought the total number of runs scored at The Cloud County Ground up to 1,357, boosting Woodland Group’s £1-per-run charity pledge in support of Panathlon’s fantastic work.

The final cheque was presented by Dan Lawrence, who was selected as Man of the Match after scoring 71 from 37 balls. Lawrence handed over the cheque alongside Woodland Group Chief Executive Kevin Stevens, Company Secretary John Stubbings and Woodland Logistics Managing Director Sean Kirby.

It was gratefully received by Panathlon representatives Harry Bowtell, Adil Ghani and Ashley Iceton. Several Panathlon competitors and Young Leaders were invited along to enjoy the match and celebrations as part of Woodland’s vision to connect and create opportunities for Woodland community members and their families.

Woodland Group Chairman and CEO, Kevin Stevens, said: “We’ve been able to support both Panathlon and Essex Cricket for more than a decade now. We are aligned in our shared values of creating opportunity and connection through sport. Being able to collaborate on raising awareness of and funds for the all-important work Panathlon does, and seeing the impact made at a local level, has made this season extra special for all of us at Woodland Group.”

“It’s been amazing that current competitors, Young Leaders and school staff have witnessed the action tonight, as well as some old-timers like me and Harry,” said Adil Ghani. “Massive thanks to Woodland for a fantastic day and for their sterling support for Panathlon.”

Essex Eagles will now travel to Emirates Old Trafford to play Lancashire in their away Quarter-Final match on Friday, 8th July, a rematch of the 2019 Quarter-Final which saw Essex squeeze a win by just 6 wickets.

Essex Cricket were grateful to be a part of raising funds for such an outstanding, inclusive sports charity so connected to our own Club values.

We’d like to thank Woodland Group for this opportunity and look forward to seeing how the funds help make a positive impact for young children across the UK.

You can find out more about Panathlon and their inspiring work across the UK here.

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is set to celebrate the biggest day in the county calendar while highlighting the life-changing work of the charity at Edgbaston on Saturday 16 July.

The Vitality Blast Finals Day is to support the players’ charity for the third successive year and with a number of heartbreaking and heartwarming stories told throughout the build-up, fundraising activities are now confirmed.

The Trust was created to support the health and wellbeing of PCA members who have entertained cricket supporters over the years on the pitch for when they are in desperate need for help.

The Trust has strong links with a number of past and present Essex players, including Graham Gooch who is the former President of the PCA and has generally donated funds through his Scholarship.

With the Trust taking centre stage for Finals Day, awareness of the small charity will be raised with the aim to create funds to continue its work in being a vital support mechanism for cricket’s biggest assets, its players.

Once again, the Vitality Blast Mascot Race is brought to you by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust with supporters able to cheer on their mascot from anywhere in the world and be in with a chance to win 2023 Finals Day tickets.

You can support your team during this year’s Vitality Blast Mascot Race by donating £5 to the Trust to be in with a chance of winning a pair of premium 2023 Finals Day tickets.

On Saturday, mascots from up and down the country will be limbering up to take part in the prestigious annual race with a difference: they will be raising money to support those who need it most.

Getting involved is simple. If you want to cheer on Essex Eagles’ very own Eddie Eagle or Ellie Eagle, just text EDDIE OR ELLIE to 84903 and you will automatically donate £5 (not including the cost of one text message at your standard network rate).

In addition, neutral fans or those with children who attend the ECB’s All Stars programme can support Twinkle, their official mascot, by texting TWINKLE to 84903.

A full list of all mascots who are running can be found at thepca.co.uk.

Participants may enter up to eight times and the winner will be contacted by midday on Tuesday 19 July.

If you would rather just donate to help the charity continue its life-changing – and often life-saving – work you can visit our dedicated JustGiving page to make a one-off donation.

Supports at Edgbaston will also be able to donate their used plastic pint glasses in dedicated bins around the ground and those in hospitality will have access to a silent auction.

With thanks to Sky Sports and the BBC, a number of the charity’s beneficiaries – both current and former players – will be there on the day to talk to the media and fans about the support they have received from the Trust.

In 2021 alone, the Trust supported 106 individuals with mental health problems, taking the total since 2015 to 526. The assistance for current and former players in England and Wales is all encompassing, whether it be for physical or mental needs including provision of specialist equipment, funding operations or specialist wellbeing support.

Please do consider supporting the Trust this weekend – it really will make a difference to those who need it most!

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust provides vital support to past and present cricketers in England and Wales and their immediate families when in desperate need.

The charity’s work is all encompassing, whether it be for unforeseen physical or mental needs.

Vitality Blast Finals Day is supporting the players’ charity and you can too by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Blast22.