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Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles | Essex Eagles v Glamorgan

Vitality Blast
The 1st Central County Ground, Hove | The Cloud County Ground
Friday 01 July, 7pm | Saturday 02 July, 6:30pm

 
After 12 hard-fought games of T20 cricket, the Eagles find themselves in 3rd place in the South Group table and well-placed for a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

With the remaining two games coming back-to-back, the Eagles will know that one win will be enough to earn a Quarter-Final.

More of the same will be the call from the dressing room after wins against Middlesex and Surrey last week provided arguably the highlight of the Eagles T20 campaign so far.

Squad:

A 13-player squad has been named for the back-to-back Vitality Blast fixtures with Academy player, Robin Das coming into the fold for the first time this season. The 20-year-old made his Eagles debut against Friday’s opponents Sussex Sharks in 2020 at Chelmsford and recently helped with twelfth man duties for England in the First Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Matt Critchley is still working his way back to full fitness from a knee injury sustained against Somerset at Chelmsford. Jamie Porter is the only other notable injury absentee and the bowler is nearing a return to the First Team squad.

The Opposition: Sussex Sharks

Sussex have had a disappointing season in T20 cricket by their high standards. Four wins from twelve fixtures demonstrates their struggle for consistency, despite victories against each of the top two sides in the South Group.

Mohammad Rizwan is one of five overseas players to have represented the Sharks in T20 cricket this season. His 275 runs at 45.83 is only bettered by Tom Alsop’s 314 at 39.25.

Sussex have struggled to find a settled attack, with Steven Finn their only out-and-out bowler to feature 10 times or more this season. Tymal Mills, despite having played three games fewer than Finn, is leading the wicket-taking charts with 15.

Head to Head:

Last time out: Sussex Sharks

On the hottest day of the year so far, the Eagles and Sharks put on a record-breaking run fest at Chelmsford, with Essex narrowly winning after a late charge by former Eagle, Ravi Bopara.

Sussex won the toss but after inserting Essex into bat, watched them amass a record score of 244-7. This eclipsed the total made by a Graham Napier-inspired Essex against the same opponent back in 2008.

Essex Eagles top order provided a solid platform with each of the top four making 30+ scores. This laid the foundations for a Dan Sams masterclass in clearing the boundary. Coming to the crease in the 15th over, he proceeded to hit 71 from 24 balls, including 6 fours and 6 sixes.

Sussex needed a quick start and that was provided by Mohammed Rizwan and Ali Orr, who thrust Sussex to 106 from just 7.4 overs when Matt Critchley made the breakthrough to remove Orr for 38. Despite Sussex keeping up with the scoring rate, Essex picked up wickets at crucial moments throughout the innings.

Sussex’s hopes were left firmly pinned on Ravi Bopara, but when man-of-the-moment Sams picked him up in the final over, the Eagles had all but sealed the victory.

A total of 477 runs were scored across both innings, the most in Blast history.

The Opposition: Glamorgan

Glamorgan, who have been in good form recently having won 2 of their last 3, are 6th in the South Group and are still an outside shout for stealing the last Quarter-Final spot, although it would take a lot to go their way.

Like Sussex, their season in white-ball cricket has been a little stop and start as they have struggled to capitalise on their victories.

Had they won against Somerset last Friday, they would have been right in the hunt for a space in the top four. However, after having a brilliant start in a severely rain-affected game, they couldn’t finish Somerset off and lost by 16 runs.

After a few years on the move, Sam Northeast settled in Cardiff and has found touch with Glamorgan. He’s largely played a lone hand with the bat for them in T20 cricket, no one coming close to his 380 runs at 42.22.

There are no prizes for guessing who leads the way for Glamorgan with the ball. Michael Hogan has yet again excelled this season, picking up 19 wickets at an average of just 14.78 and an outstanding economy of 7.59. He is one of four bowlers to go at under 8 runs per over for the Welsh side.

Head to Head:

Last time out: Glamorgan

Essex slipped to defeat at Sophia Gardens earlier in the season as Glamorgan capitalised on their home advantage on a tricky Cardiff wicket.

After being inserted into bat, the Eagles endured a difficult powerplay, losing three wickets and finding runs hard to come by.

Critchley (38) and Walter (20) gave the Eagles some stability through the middle overs but frequent wickets throughout the second half of innings restricted Essex to 113-9.

In reply, Sams struck with the fourth ball of the Glamorgan innings to give Essex hope, but a well-made 44 from Sam Northeast guided the home side to victory.

How to Watch:

Friday evening’s game against Sussex Sharks will be live streamed courtesy of a feed provided by our hosts and will be available via the Essex Cricket Matchzone.

On Saturday, Sky Sports will be providing live coverage of the fixture against Glamorgan from Chelmsford. This means there will be no live streaming service, however a scorecard and match stats will still be available via the Matchzone.

Soar with the Eagles:

Tickets for the Eagles final group stage fixture of the season against Glamorgan have sold out. However, keep an eye on Essex Cricket’s social media channels and the ticketing page below to be the first to know if any tickets become available.

The latest Essex Eagles shirt has landed ahead of the Royal London Cup campaign which gets underway in August.

The Eagles design is produced by long-standing partners, Surridge and sees the return of the popular light blue colour scheme with an added geometric Eagle design on the front.

It will be worn by both the Men and Women’s First XI squads and Ability teams this season and once again sees our Platinum Club Partners sponsor across all Essex teams.

The shirt will be worn by the Essex Women’s team in the Women’s London Championship which begins on 28 July against Surrey.

The Men’s 50-over campaign begins on 31 July in a National Counties match against Cambridgeshire and is followed by the opening Royal London Cup fixture which will be played at Sedbergh School against Lancashire on 2 August.

Technical detail: The shirt includes a collarless neckline and is made of 100% polyester, which incorporates a waffle texture. All replica shirts are machine washable.

You can purchase your shirt now via The Cricket Store online or in person at The Cloud County Ground, priced:

• Infant Sizes – £30.00 (1-2 Years, 3-4 Years, 5-6 Years)
• Junior Sizes – £35.00 (Small Junior, Medium Junior, Large Junior)
• Adult Sizes – £45.00 (Youth, Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)

Gordon Nardini, Chief Marketing Officer of Ambassador Cruise Line said:

“Ambassador is thrilled to be partnering with Essex Cricket across the next three seasons as their Official Travel Partner. Our values align with one another perfectly, making this partnership a great fit for both parties. Our values are aligned and we were amazed at just how much they’ve achieved alongside their local community and couldn’t wait to be a part of it.

It was wonderful to welcome the Nifty Fifties walking cricket team on board Ambience earlier this month and we look forward to building a closer relationship with local people and businesses as our partnership with the Club progresses.”

The shirt also features our Ground Naming Rights Partner, Cloud who are the back of shirt and collar sponsor across the full range of replica shirts this season.

Jeff Dewing, Group CEO of Cloud added, “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the collars and rear of the Eagles’ Royal London Cup shirts. As long-standing Ground Naming Rights Partner, we are proud to have the Cloud name on all three of the Club’s shirts. We are looking forward to the upcoming Royal London Cup and Essex Women’s 50-over competition, and hopefully an exciting conclusion to the season in all formats. Our association with Essex Cricket goes from strength to strength with our continued support on and off the pitch”.

The Club is delighted to welcome new Platinum Club Sponsor, Ambassador Cruise Line who become the new 50-over principal shirt sponsor. The cruise line also become the Club’s Official Travel Partner in a three-year partnership and have kicked off the sponsorship by offering supporters the chance to win tickets to Ambassador’s Cricketing Legends Cruise.

The lucky winner will receive two places on the cruise, setting sail for five nights in December 2022. In the meantime, monthly entrants can win two hospitality places at The Cloud County Ground on Tuesday 20 September.

The Essex-based cruise line will also be supporting Members’ events throughout the season and look forward to sharing more of their story with them.

John Stephenson, Chief Executive and Interim Chair, Essex Cricket said:

“I am delighted to welcome Ambassador Cruise Line on board as our Official Travel Partner and principal shirt sponsor for the Royal London Cup. It has been wonderful to see the passion Ambassador has already shown for the local community, which included welcoming the Nifty Fifties walking cricket team on board their flagship in June.

Their community spirit paired with the enthusiasm in their ongoing supporter engagement highlights a commitment to the Club and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the coming years.”

Gordon Nardini, Chief Marketing Officer, Ambassador Cruise Line said:

“We are thrilled to be Essex Cricket’s official travel partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the Eagles Royal London Cup campaign. We launched our first ship, Ambience, from her home port of London Tilbury, Essex in April this year. Through our partnership with the club, we look forward to working and supporting the local community, while providing exclusive offers and discounts to members, fans and fellow partners. We look forward to the competition getting underway this summer and wish the team the very best of luck.”

The shirt also features our Ground Naming Rights partner, Cloud who are the back of shirt and collar sponsor across the full range of replica shirts this season.

About Ambassador Cruise Line:

Ambassador Cruise Line is the first British cruise line to launch in over a decade. Their London Tilbury, Essex port provides convenience for their guests to enjoy a no-fly cruise with the warmest of welcomes from the friendliest of crews.

Onboard their first ship Ambience, guests will find amazing entertainment, exceptional cuisine, and an intimate but spacious cruising experience. Their sustainability-first approach means their guests can enjoy visiting the world’s most remote wonders, hidden gems, and natural treasures. Ambience is in the top 10-15% of environmentally sustainable ships, allowing her access to some of Europe’s most untouched corners including the breath-taking Norwegian World Heritage Fjords.

Ambition is Ambassador’s second lady of the sea and will enter operation in March 2023, sailing from London Tilbury, Essex and six other regional ports. Ambassador allows their guests to truly find their home away from home at sea.

For more information about Ambassador Cruise Line, please click here.

Essex County Cricket Club are delighted to confirm that wicket-keeper batter, Adam Rossington, has signed a three-year contract which will see him stay at Chelmsford until at least the end of the 2025 season.

The 29-year-old has been on loan at The Cloud County Ground this season and has impressed in both red and white-ball cricket, as well as with the gloves having taken over keeping duties from Adam Wheater.

Rossington came through the Middlesex Academy and made his first-class debut in 2010. He made his maiden first-class century against Cambridge University in 2013, and the following year he joined Northamptonshire on loan, a move that was made permeant at the end of the season.

He played a pivotal role in Northants winning the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast, scoring 317 runs and claiming 10 dismissals, the third-highest of any player in the competition.

Ahead of the 2019 season, Rossington was named as the new Northants Club Captain and he immediately guided his side back to Division One of the County Championship after finishing as Division Two Runners-up behind Lancashire.

The wicket-keeper batter then joined Essex ahead of the 2022 season, and has averaged just under 30 in red-ball cricket whilst also showcasing his powerful ball-striking at the top of the order in T20 cricket.

On making the move to Chelmsford permanent, Rossington said: “I’m really pleased to sign a deal with Essex and commit my future to the Club.

“Since joining on loan a few months everybody at Chelmsford has made me feel extremely welcome. It’s a great dressing room to be involved in and the amount of talent and determination in there is second to none.

“The Members and fans have also been great. The support we’ve received during my short time here so far has been amazing and hopefully we can repay that with more victories and some silverware come the end of the season.”

Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, commented: “Adam has been a great addition to the dressing room and has fit into the team seamlessly.

“He’s done a good job for us with both the bat and the gloves in all formats and we’ve also benefitted from his leadership qualities and experience.

“Securing him for three years is a great coup for the Club and hopefully he can help us push on from our decent start to the campaign going into the business end of the season and beyond.”

Essex all-rounder Simon Harmer has been named in the 17-man South Africa squad for the upcoming tour of England.

The 32-year-old returned to the International stage earlier this year, helping South Africa defeat Bangladesh 2-0. He impressed in the two-game series, taking 13 wickets at an average of 15.15 whilst also averaging 39 with the bat.

Before that series, Harmer had last featured for South Africa in 2015, during their tour of India.

The South African has been instrumental to Essex’s success since making the move to Chelmsford in 2017, leading the team to a maiden T20 title and playing a part in four red-ball titles.

During that period he’s taken 335 first-class wickets for Essex at an average of 20.59 and has claimed numerous awards, including the PCA Overall MVP for three successive years (2019, 2020, 2021).

South Africa Test fixtures:

England v South Africa 1st Test Match: Wednesday 17 – Sunday 21 August
England v South Africa 2nd Test Match: Thursday 25 – Monday 29 August
England v South Africa 3rd Test Match: Thursday 08 – Monday 12 September

Essex County Cricket Club can today announce an action plan for the future Governance of the Club’s Board.

In total, there will be eight Board vacancies filled this year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Club’s Constitution permits the appointment of three vacancies at the discretion of the Board to replace those vacated by the resignation of three Board Members. A further five vacancies will be filled through a Members’ election process in September 2022.

Following the conclusion of the Members’ Ballot and 2022 AGM, one of the nine appointed Directors will be assigned the role of being the new Chair of Essex County Cricket Club.

The formation of a Nominations Committee will take place ahead of the AGM with the sole responsibility of planning, reviewing and recommending potential candidates.

The Nominations Committee will also hold interviews with potential candidates and provide the Board with three recommendations for the immediate appointments, as well as formulating a set of endorsed candidates for the Members’ ballot process.

The Members’ ballot will conclude in September with the successfully elected candidates being announced at the AGM, which is set to take place by the end of the cricket season at The Cloud County Ground.

An information and application pack will be sent to Members via email in July with the aim of canvassing driven, passionate and committed candidates from within the current Membership. The Club will also welcome applications from other affiliated people who can demonstrate desirable expertise.

Members will also have an opportunity to join the Members’ Committee, which will feed into the Nominations Committee to help shape Club decisions. This Committee will include three representatives from the Membership and elected through a separate ballot that will run in parallel with the Board voting process.

In order to ensure a professional, transparent and robust process the Club will be utilising the support of leading international executive search firm, Perrett Laver.

Key Action Plan Milestones:
• Early July: The application process is open to Members and other external candidates
• Early September: Ballot packs sent to Members
• Late September: Ballot voting process closes
• Early-Mid October: Annual General Meeting held

This action plan will not be affected by the ongoing independent investigation into historical allegations of discrimination at the Club. The investigation by Katharine Newton QC will support the implementation of long-term governance reform.

The Club will be working with the ECB and are committed to any required reforms being put into effect by early 2023.

Essex Cricket Chief Executive and Interim Chair, John Stephenson commented: “This is an important period in the Club’s future to form an adept Board, which will only be achieved through a full, transparent, and consistent recruitment process for the vacancies on the Board.

“We have a high number of vacancies to fill and will be an opportunity for the Membership to appoint a new Board who will bring a broad skill set, stability, and compliance to the Club, in line with the Constitution and England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) County Governance Framework.

“We are working closely with the ECB to become fully compliant, and I would like to encourage our Members to be part of this process for the benefit of the Club now and in the years to come.

“A host of Members’ events will be scheduled in the coming weeks to share our action plan in greater detail and provide an opportunity for interested Members to find out more information on the roles and process.”

Neil Snowball, England and Wales Cricket Board Managing Director of County Cricket, added: “We welcome the action plan that John and the Essex CCC Board have developed which sets out a positive way forward for the Club.

“We will continue to offer advice or support to the Board as required over the coming months.”

Date For Your Diary: Members’ Forum

The Club will be holding a Members’ Forum after play (6:30pm) on Day Two of the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Gloucestershire on Tuesday 12 July.

The Forum will be an opportunity to hear the latest Club news from John Stephenson and Vice-Chair, Simon Cooper, including further information on the Club’s Governance Action Plan.

Supporters will be able to attend the event in person at The Cloud County Ground, whilst there will also be an opportunity to watch via the Zoom conferencing platform. Prior to the event, an invite will be sent to Members for those who cannot attend in person.

Simon Harmer continues to astound with his wicket-taking abilities and he showed once again this week that he is alongside the best spinners in world cricket.

Harmy took his tally of 5-wicket hauls in Essex colours to 24 after taking figures of 8/46 and 7/161 against Hampshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Chelmsford.

He also took his 8th career 10-wicket haul (7th with Essex) and overall figures of 15/207 to record his career-best match figures, surpassing his previous best of 14 wickets against Warwickshire in 2017 (14/128), Surrey in 2020 (14/131) and Middlesex in 2017 (14/172).

Simon spoke to Essex Cricket TV after play to express his delight with his performance and an important win over second-placed Hampshire.