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Eagles v Glos | Match Preview

18 June 2021

Gloucestershire face Essex Eagles under the floodlights at Chelmsford in what is hoped won’t be yet another washout in the Vitality Blast.

The Cloudfm County Ground has not seen much of Gloucestershire Cricket with three abandonments in the previous three fixtures between the sides at Chelmsford. The last time a match was completed, or even saw a ball bowled, was in 2016 when Michael Klinger and Hamish Marshall smashed The Shire to victory.

Essex v Gloucestershire | Live on the Gloscricket Match Centre HERE | 7:00pm Start

Ian Harvey’s side come into the match having just beaten Middlesex in rather strange circumstances. Chasing Middlesex’s total of 179, Gloucestershire were batting to stay ahead of the DLS score knowing that rain and bad light were likely to end the match early.

Ian Cockbain finally found form hitting a well-timed cover drive for four with his first ball and finishing 62 not out with strike rate of 159. A top-edge six from the Liverpudlian off the final delivery was the match winning blow.

Ryan Higgins returned to the line-up after fracturing his toe against Glamorgan. He finished not out in the 20s for the second time to help guide Gloucestershire to victory. Dan Worrall also made his first T20 appearance for Gloucestershire taking 1/27 in what was a high scoring match.

Ian Harvey has named an unchanged squad for today’s match:

Dan Lawrence returns for the Eagles tonight from his England duties alongside Gloucestershire’s James Bracey. The local Lawrence averages 25.82 with the bat and 22.04 in T20 cricket. His off spin and batting ability will be a welcome addition to the Essex team who have gone winless in their last three Blast matches.

New Zealander Jimmy Neesham has been the Eagles top scorer through four games with 121 runs at 30.25. Anthony McGrath will be hoping for more from his top order who have not yet produced match winning contributions.

They may be helped by the return of wicketkeeper/batter Adam Wheater who hasn’t been available since the opening win against Somerset.

Sam Cook has been the highest wicket-taker and the most economical bowler so far this season, but Glocuestershire will have to remain wary of seasoned spinner and captain Simon Harmer.

Essex’s 14-man squad for tonight:

Harmer (c), Buttleman, Cook, Lawrence, Neesham, Nijjar, Pepper, Plom, Porter, Snater, ten Doeschate, Walter, Westley & Wheater.

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