Match Preview: Essex v Hampshire Hawks, Vitality Blast

Essex v Hampshire Hawks
Vitality Blast (South Group)
Thursday 20th June 2024 (7pm Start)
The Cloud County Ground

Hampshire Hawks travel to The Cloud County Ground to take on Essex in the Vitality Blast on Thursday.

The Hawks have suffered two abandonments in a row after their last match against Middlesex was cut short during the 17th over of the first innings due to rain. It has left them fifth in the South Group.

Essex, meanwhile, lost to Sussex Sharks last time out and currently sit in fourth spot with three wins and losses from their six matches.

Both sides will be hoping to make Finals Day again after they met in last year's semi-final with Essex coming out in a rain-affected match.

The last meeting in Chelmsford saw James Vince make a sensational century as the Hawks marched to victory.

Hawks Squad

Hampshire Hawks have named a 13-player squad for the match against Essex.

Before Friday's match against Middlesex was abandoned, all the Hawks bowlers took wickets with John Turner and James Fuller taking two each.

Brad Wheal returns to the squad after representing Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup where he took five wickets from four matches.

Nick Gubbins and Eddie Jack miss out.

Full Hampshire Squad

Essex

Squad: Simon Harmer (c), Ben Allison, Charlie Allison, Aaron Beard, Luc Benkenstein, Jordan Cox, Matt Critchley, Robin Das, Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, Adam Rossington, Daniel Sams, Shane Snater, Paul Walter

Essex come into this season off the back of a sensational T20 campaign in 2023, having finished as runners-up to eventual winners Somerset. It was Essex who defeated Hampshire Hawks in the semi-final at Edgbaston last year, picking up a five-wicket DLS victory to end any dream of back-to-back titles for the Hawks. They have started this season just as well, sitting in fourth spot after their six matches.

Despite losing Dan Lawrence to Surrey, Michael Pepper has stepped up with the bat this season, including making one of only two centuries in the competition so far. New signing Jordan Cox and overseas opener Dean Elgar also represent dangerous options. The wickets have been evenly spread over the attack in their opening matches with Paul Walter leading the way on nine. Last season's PCA’s Men’s T20 MVP Daniel Sams has also chipped in, while the spin of Matt Critchley and captain Simon Harmer is always a useful weapon. 19-year-old Luc Benkenstein was recently named England Under-19's captain and is one to look out for.

2024 Season In Numbers

• 4th in South Group
• Form (most recent first): LWWWL
• Leading run scorer: Michael Pepper (213)
• Leading wicket taker: Paul Walter (9)

Head-to-Head

Hampshire's record in Vitality Blast v Essex

P: 40, W: 18, T: 3, L: 15, NR: 4, A: 2

Last 5 meetings:

• July 15 2023 | Edgbaston | Semi-Final | Essex won by five wickets (DLS)
• June 23 2023 | The Ageas Bowl | South Group | Hampshire won by four wickets
• June 2 2023 | The Cloud County Ground | South Group | Hampshire won by 118 runs
• June 9 2022 | The Ageas Bowl | South Group | Hampshire won by 32 runs
• May 31 2022 | The Cloud County Ground | South Group | Essex won by eight wickets

Tickets

Tickets for the Hawks’ match against Essex on Thursday are available by clicking here.

Coverage

Essex will be live streaming the match and a link to this stream will be available in the free-to-download Hampshire Cricket App and at www.utilitabowl.com/cricket.

Both the Hampshire Cricket App and www.utilitabowl.com/cricket will also host a live match centre with scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.

Weather Forecast

Please follow the link to view the latest weather forecast for Chelmsford: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653266