Match Preview: Essex v Hampshire - Specsavers County Championship

Three victories and just one defeat from the first six Specsavers County Championship matches of the season has seen Hampshire claim second spot in Division One, and after rain thwarted their attempts to push for victory against Nottinghamshire earlier this week, Sam Northeast’s side will be hoping to grab their fourth win of the campaign when they face 2017 champions Essex at Chelmsford on Sunday.

Hampshire Squad:

A 12-man squad has been named for the trip to Essex, with Ian Holland and Anuerin Donald both featuring alongside ten of the the final XI that lined-up against Nottinghamshire.

Despite just one day’s play possible at Notts, Kyle Abbott was straight back to his brilliant best at Welbeck after returning from a short lay-off, picking up 6-37 to help skittle the opposition. That haul was his second of five wickets or more this season – the first of which came against Essex – taking his wicket tally to 25 for the season at an average of just 16.16.  He’ll be hoping to continue that good form heading into Sunday’s fixture.

Sam Northeast also excelled the last time Hampshire faced Essex at the start of the season as the right-hander struck a superb 169 in the first-innings. His 575 runs at an average of 71.87 in the first six contests of the campaign is good enough for second in the list of leading run-getters across the country, and he’ll be looking to further add to his impressive total so far on Sunday.

James Vince and Liam Dawson remain unavailable for selection throughout June due to their international commitments with England.

The Opposition:

After last year’s third-place finish, Essex enjoyed a positive start to their 2019 four-day campaign, the home-side currently occupying fourth place in the table with a game in hand.

Sir Alastair Cook, England’s all-time leading run-scorer, will be a key figure as usual at the top of the order for Essex and the left-hander has recorded 357 runs with the bat at an average of 51 already this year.

South African spinner Simon Harmer has had an equally strong start to the 2019 season, the off-break bowler claiming 30 wickets at an average of 21.86 with the ball in his first five fixtures.

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

Ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights will be available via the Hampshire Cricket App and at ageasbowl.com/cricket. 

There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk.

Weather Forecast:

Please follow the link for the latest weather forecast for Chelmsford: http://ow.ly/KpA430oWvvT

Tickets:
Tickets for all four days of Hampshire’s match against Essex at Chelmsford can be purchased online via the Nottinghamshire website: www.essexcricket.org.uk