Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Essex Eagles v Gloucestershire
Venue: Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Date: Friday, June 18, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Essex have struggled to find their best form despite having much the same team that helped them to the trophy in 2019. They have lost three out of four so far, their most recent, a disheartening pasting at the hands of Sussex Sharks. They limped to 128 for 8, only for the Sharks to stroll to victory three down in 14 overs.
The Eagles only victory came on the opening day of the Blast against Somerset, where they narrowly beat them in a chase of 186. However, Essex had a similarly inauspicious start to their Championship defence, but now sit top of their group. So, expect them to turn the tide soon.
Gloucestershire can consider themselves fortunate to have recorded their second win of the campaign against Middlesex thanks to the DLS method. A six from Ryan Higgins via the final ball before the rain ended the game with two overs to go put the Bristol club ahead and would end up proving decisive.
Who’s in form?
Essex are struggling for standout performers during this Blast, which is likely contributing to their poor form. Jimmy Neesham has been providing some consistency and power with the bat, and tops their scoring chart with 121 runs. Sam Cook has been in good form all throughout the season and has carried that confidence into the white ball arena. His six wickets have come at an outstanding economy of 6.69.
It has been a far from ideal start to the competition for Ian Harvey's side, following their run to last year's final. Just two batters are gone into three figures for runs - Chris Dent and overseas signing Glenn Phillips, while Josh Shaw is the leading wicket-taker has seven.
Ian Cockbain appeared to recapture some of last season's form against Middlesex with his first fifty of the season and he'll be hoping to use that as a launchpad.
What’s the team news?
Essex: The Eagles have added one player to an otherwise unchanged 14-man squad. Dan Lawrence returns to his county after a stint with the England Test team.
Essex squad: Simon Harmer (c), Will Buttleman, Sam Cook, Dan Lawrence, Jimmy Neesham, Aron Nijjar, Michael Pepper, Jack Plom, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater
Gloucestershire: Ian Harvey has named an unchanged squad for the trip to Chelmsford.
Gloucestershire squad: Miles Hammond, Chris Dent, Ian Cockbain, Glenn Phillips, Jack Taylor, Ryan Higgins, Benny Howell, Graeme van Buuren, Tom Smith, David Payne, Matt Taylor, James Bracey, Josh Shaw, Dan Worrall
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Essex Eagles: LLLWL
Gloucestershire: WLLWL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 13
Essex Eagles wins: 7
Gloucestershire Sharks wins: 4
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 4
No result: 2
What’s the weather forecast?
It's raining. A lot. Thunderstorms are forecast across the south of England on Sunday. It might be that not a single ball is bowled, regrettably.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Chelmsford: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Tickets are available at £30 for adults, £25 for 18-25s and £10 for under-17s.
Click here to access the Essex box office.
Travel
Address: County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 OPG
By train: Chelmsford Railway Station is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the ground.
Coming out of the station, walk north on Duke Street and then turn left onto Park Road. Turn right going between Middleditch Court and Norman Court before turning left. When reaching the Parkway main road, turn left before quickly turning right to cross into the Park.
Having crossed the River Can, keep straight until hitting New Writtle Street where you must turn left. After approximately 350 feet, turn left and the ground is on the right.
By car: The stadium has a pay and display carpark with cash payment machines located on site.
Chelmsford City Centre’s High Chelmer multi-storey car par is a five-minute walk from the ground and can be accessed via New London Road after turning left off Parkway. This car park’s post code is CM2 OLG.
There are two park and ride sites in Chelmsford which offer bus services into the city centre. The first site is Chelmer Valley, postcode CM2 7RZ, and the second is located at CM3 3PR.
By bus: Chelmsford Bus Station is on Duke Street, right next to the Railway Station. Bus No.42 and No.100 stop on New London road, approximately a two-minute walk to the ground.
How do I follow the match?
Essex will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All T20 Blast 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: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Prediction?
It’s hard to determine which of these teams is in better form. Both are struggling for their best form but, weather permitting, Gloucestershire should have the edge.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: FRIDAY, JUNE 18
North Group
Worcestershire Rapids v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Derbyshire Falcons
Birmingham Bears v Lancashire Lightning
South Group
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