Match Preview: Hampshire v Essex Eagles, Vitality Blast

A superb seven-wicket win over Middlesex at Lord’s on Thursday ensured Hampshire kept their quarter-final qualification hopes alive and they now return home to the The Ageas Bowl to take on Essex Eagles in another crunch clash on Sunday.

Hampshire Squad:

An unchanged 14-man squad has been named for Sunday’s contest.

James Vince continued his excellent form with the bat on Thursday, recording a blistering 69 off just XX balls to take his run tally to 292 in his nine innings so far this campaign. The skipper sits sixth in the list of top run-getters this summer and he’ll be hoping to go big again this weekend.

Kyle Abbott will also be hoping to continue his good form in the competition on the back of another three-wicket haul at Lord’s - the seamer’s 15 wickets sees him in the top 10 bowlers across both the North and South Groups apiece this year. Chris Morris also piled in with three wickets as well as an excellent run-out against Middlesex with the South Africa duo bowling well in tandem at the death.

New spin addition Tabraiz Shamsi made his debut on Thursday and is set to make his first home appearance at the The Ageas Bowl against the Eagles.

The Opposition:

After a difficult start to their 2019 campaign, Essex Eagles picked up a vital win against table-toppers Sussex Sharks on Thursday to remain in contention for reaching the knockout stage.

Mohammad Amir was crucial to that victory at Hove as he claimed four wickets, and the left-arm seamer is sure to be a danger with the ball on Sunday. The Essex squad features plenty of other matchwinners with Adam Zampa, Cameron Delport and Ravi Bopara all holding experience in various global T20 tournaments. Delport’s stunning century at the start of the competition is an indication of the threat he possesses with the bat alongside the always dangerous Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate. Seamer Matthew Quinn was Essex’s stand-out with the ball to begin the competition and he’ll be well-supported by Zampa, off-spinner Simon Harmer and Amir.

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

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

There will also 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 The Ageas Bowl: http://ow.ly/O85t30p4xiB

Tickets:

Tickets for Sunday's match-up against Essex Eagles at the The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ageasbowl, via the Hampshire Cricket App, over the phone on 023 80472002 (option 1), or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.