Match Preview | Gloucestershire v Essex Eagles
3 June 2022
Gloucestershire will be looking to make it three home wins on the bounce when they host the visit of Essex Eagles in the Vitality Blast tonight.
Dale Benkenstein’s side secured a comfortable six-wicket win v Kent Spitfires under the lights at the Seat Unique Stadium on Wednesday, The Shire’s second victory in four matches. That win and the victory over Sussex Sharks last Friday night leaves Gloucestershire in fifth place in the table with four points, level with tonight’s opposition, sixth-placed Essex Eagles.
Captained by Jack Taylor, Glos have a 100% home record in the Vitality Blast so far this season and will be hoping to climb into the top four for the first time with a win in front of another home crowd tonight.
Essex slumped to a convincing six-wicket victory at the hands of Glamorgan last night and have only won one of their three away matches in the Blast so far this year. That victory came against Kent Spitfires in their opening T20 fixture last month, with their one other win being an eight-wicket win over Hampshire in Chelmsford.
Essex finished their innings v Glamorgan last night with only one wicket remaining which will leave Gloucestershire hoping they can once again profit with the ball tonight, having consecutively bowled two teams out for the first time ever in the Vitality Blast.
Gloucestershire v Essex Eagles | T20 Vitality Blast matchday four | Watch every ball on the Gloscricket Match Centre HERE | 6.30pm Start Time
Gloucestershire’s match day squad is bolstered by the return of Naseem Shah and Paul van Meekeren, who were both rested for the win over Kent Spitfires. David Payne, who took 3-15 and Zak Chappell, who took 3-24, are both in the squad and in-line to continue their good run of form v Essex Eagles tonight.
Glenn Phillips scored his first half-century of the campaign during his last outing and will be looking to build on that performance. Meanwhile Ian Cockbain, fresh from scoring 81* off 44 balls v Somerset Second XIs yesterday, will be hoping to pick up where he left off v Essex Eagles this evening.
Gloucestershire have named a 14-man squad:
Essex Eagles squad to face Gloucestershire:
Simon Harmer (c), Ben Allison, Will Buttleman, Sam Cook, Matt Critchley, Aron Nijjar, Daniel Sams, Shane Snater, Michael Pepper, Adam Rossington, Jamal Richards, Paul Walter, Tom Westley.
Gloucestershire v Essex Eagles | T20 Vitality Blast matchday four | Watch every ball on the Gloscricket Match Centre HERE | 6.30pm Start Time
