Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Warwickshire v Essex
Venue: Edgbaston
Dates: Thursday, April 22, 2021 - Sunday, April 25, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Both sides were involved in dramatic turnarounds in round two, with a Simon Harmer-inspired Essex overcoming a first-innings deficit of 163 runs to beat Durham at Chelmsford, and Warwickshire bouncing back from 184 for 6 to chase down a target of 333 and snatch victory from Nottinghamshire.
These results, coupled with first-round draws, place the pair joint-top of Group One as Essex’s extraordinary two-year run without a first-class defeat rolls on.
How India’s middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, in his second game as Warwickshire’s overseas, counters Harmer will be a key factor: a trickier adversary for the South African than Durham’s middle-order, you’d imagine.
Who's in form?
For Harmer to be second in the wicket-taking charts in April, with one 10-for already bagged, is a testament to the 32-year-old’s quality.
On the batting front, though Tom Westley made a mammoth 213 in the first round draw against Worcestershire, Dan Lawrence has looked Essex’s most likely with a critical 77 in the second innings against Durham to go with 32 in the first dig out of a total of 96.
For Warwickshire, Sam Hain has found some early rhythm, hitting a brace of fifties in round two. Olly Stone in his first outing of the season against Notts bowled 41 hostile overs to record match figures of 5 for 133 and Tim Bresnan remains a match-winner, his 68 not out fashioning that three-wicket win.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Warwickshire: WDDDD
Essex: WDDWD
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 119
Warwickshire wins: 32
Essex wins: 39
Draws: 47
Ties: 1
Abandoned: 1
What's the team news?
Warwickshire: Dom Sibley will miss Warwickshire’s next two Championship fixtures after breaking his finger against Nottinghamshire last week. He sustained the fracture to the right middle finger while dropping a chance off Steven Mullaney at Trent Bridge. The sore heel that kept Liam Norwell out of the Nottinghamshire fixture remains a worry.
Dan Mousley, Craig Miles and Henry Brookes come into the 13-man squad.
Warwickshire squad: Will Rhodes (c), Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Henry Brookes, Michael Burgess (wk), Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Sam Hain, Matt Lamb, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Olly Stone, Hanuma Vihari, Rob Yates
Essex: The return of seamer Peter Siddle adds further quality to an already fierce attack. The Australian took 34 wickets in eight games during his last stint with the county and with the Sheffield Shield now concluded he is at captain Tom Westley's disposal for the rest of the season. Matt Quinn and Shane Snater miss out on the 13-man squad.
Essex squad: Tom Westley (c), Ben Allison, Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Sam Cook, Simon Harmer, Feroze Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Porter, Peter Siddle, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Adam Wheater
Latest Warwickshire news: Click here
Who's said what?
After Warwickshire’s incredible final day chase at Trent Bridge, coach Mark Robinson reflected with pride on his side’s famous win.
"We were behind the eight ball for a long time but hung on in there. That’s what you have to do and it’s surprising how many times a side hangs on in there and stays in the game and then it turns and they win it.
"It was a fantastic effort and the lads will take a lot of belief from that. We are not perfect and have a long way to go to deliver something special that we want to deliver for the Bears fans, but that is a start. A result and performance like that validates all the hard work that is being put in."
Simon Harmer believes that Essex’s close-knit dressing room is key to their knack of securing backs-to-the-wall victories.
"It isn’t about me taking wickets, it’s about the boys back in the changing room and what it means to you, them and us as a group. I think that is why we find ways to get out of difficult situations when we find ourselves in them."
What's the weather forecast?
Starting warm, all four days of the contest are expected to be sun-decked though it might be somewhat chillier come day four.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Worcester: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Warwickshire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Prediction?
Though Warwickshire’s win against Nottinghamshire was impressive, to Essex losing is an alien concept. At a ground where slow-left-armer Danny Briggs took four-for last round, you’d expect Harmer to be a handful. Away win.
OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
Group 1
Worcestershire v Nottinghamshire
Group 2
Group 3
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