Match Preview: Essex v Hampshire - Specsavers County Championship

Hampshire will be searching for a second successive Specsavers County Championship victory as they head to Chelmsford this week to take on Essex in the latest instalment of four-day action.

Hampshire Squad:

A 13-man squad has been named for this week’s four-day fixture, with two changes expected to the side that claimed a brilliant 270-run victory over Nottinghamshire last week.

Captain James Vince is likely to be absent for the trip to Chelmsford having been called up for England’s fourth Test against India at the The Ageas Bowl. Dale Steyn will also be unavailable after suffering a grade one groin strain in last week’s action.

Seamer Ryan Stevenson is included in the 13 and could make his first County Championship appearance since September 2015 if included in the final XI on Wednesday, whilst batsman Oliver Soames is included for the first time after impressing this season for Hampshire 2XI. New signing Aneurin Donald is also included in the travelling party.

The Opposition:

After an excellent 2017 campaign which saw Essex claim their first Division One title in 25 years, Ryan ten Doeschate’s side have followed-up with reasonable success this year, picking up three wins so far to sit fourth in the top tier.

The skipper has led the way with the bat for his side too, averaging 40.17 batting in the middle order with 482 runs from 13 innings, with South African Simon Harmer and Australian seamer Peter Siddle leading the bowling attack with 37 and 27 wickets apiece respectfully.

Did You Know?

• Kyle Abbott averages an outstanding 12.50 with the ball in all first-class matches against Essex, claiming 22 wickets in four matches.
• Jimmy Adams struck an excellent 87 in a rain-affected the draw the last time these two sides met in April.
• Only two of the last 13 meetings between Hampshire and Essex has ended in a draw.

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

Match updates will be available via the Hampshire Cricket social media channels, whilst ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights will be available 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: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/0/2653266