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: Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles
Venue: 1st Central County Ground, Hove
Date: Friday, July 9, 2021
Start time: 7pm
What’s the lowdown?
Fourth hosts sixth as two contenders for the quarter-finals meet in a key clash to determine which four sides will progress from the South Group. Sussex have only won four times but have seen five matches rained off, more than any other in the Blast, while Essex have five wins under their belt after trail Sharks by two points before the start of play.
The Eagles have improved from a slow start to win four of their last five matches, the latest outing being the eight-wicket win over Glamorgan after the Welsh club were bowled out for 102. Essex swatted away the chase with 7.4 overs remaining to underline their status as a genuine contender for the last eight.
Sussex too beat Glamorgan in their last outing, by 33 runs, but you would have to go back to June 15 for their last victory before that due to a series of defeats, no results and abandoned games. Add that run to the loss of some key players to England and there is concern their early-competition momentum might have gone.
Who’s in form?
Luke Wright back at his best against Glamorgan, smashing 77 at the top of the order. The absence of Phil Salt makes the contribution of the old guard - Ravi Bopara's form needs an improvement - even more important than ever.
Teenage spinner Archie Lenham has been one of the finds of the competition for Sussex while Tymal Mills has bowled himself back into England contention in recent games with some potent, frugal quick stuff.
With fifteen wickets apiece, Simon Harmer and Sam Cook have been the Eagles' outstanding performers during the competition. Michael Peppers is the leading available batter in the line-up, highlighted by his unbeaten 55 in 35 balls in the recent win over Somerset.
What’s the team news?
The Sharks have Henry Crocombe, Delray Rawlins and Ollie Robinson back after periods in isolation. Chris Jordan is fit after a groin injury and Ali Orr has been added to the squad after his 80 against Glamorgan.
Tymal Mills has a hamstring problem, Aaron Thomason is self-isolating and Phil Salt is with England. George Garton is also in isolation after having been among the original ODI squad.
Sussex Sharks squad: Luke Wright (c), Will Beer, Ravi Bopara, Oli Carter, Mitch Claydon, Henry Crocombe, Travis Head, Chris Jordan, Archie Lenham, Ali Orr, Delray Rawlins, Ollie Robinson, Harrison Ward, David Wiese
Andre Nel will lead the squad after Anthony McGrath was called to help coach England. Dan Lawrence is part of the replacement ODI squad while Jamie Porter misses out
Essex Eagles squad: Simon Harmer, Will Buttleman, Sam Cook, Feroze Khushi, Jimmy Neesham, Aron Nijjar, Michael Pepper, Jack Plom, Josh Rymell, Shane Snater, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Sussex Sharks: WLANRL
Essex Eagles: WWLWW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 29
Sussex Sharks wins: 16
Essex Eagles wins: 13
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 2
No result: 0
What’s the weather forecast?
It should be a glorious day and evening on the south coast, with the sun expected to shine throughout and temperatures at a comfortable 18 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Hove: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Click here to visit the Sussex box office.
Travel
Address: The 1st Central County Ground, Eaton Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3AN
Parking: There is very limited parking at the ground for Sussex Cricket members and those with disabled parking permits on County Championship matchdays.
Please note there is no parking available for all other matchdays including.
There is a public car park, Norton Road Car Park (BN3 3BE), located a short walk West of The 1st Central County Ground opposite Hove Town Hall (charges apply between 8am and 8pm). For further information, click here.
By Train: Hove Railway Station is a 10-minute walk from the ground. Leave the station and head south on Goldstone Villas, at the bottom of the road turn left onto Eaton Road. Cross over The Drive continuing along Eaton Road, The 1st Central County Ground will appear on your left-hand side.
Brighton Railway Station is approximately a mile and a half from the club. There are regular rail services from Brighton Station to Hove Station. There is also a taxi rank located just outside Brighton Station, together with a bus terminal.
By Bus: The No.7 bus runs past the North (Cromwell Road) end of the ground with several stops near the ground. This service is the George Street, Hove to Brighton Marina service and serves both Hove and Brighton Rail Stations. This bus runs approximately every 10 minutes and around every 15 minutes on Sundays.
The 21 & 21A Brighton Marina to Goldstone Valley service stops outside the main entrance to the ground; these are less frequent but do run through the central Hove and Brighton areas.
For up-to-date information on these services and for detailed route map information, click here.
How do I follow the match?
Sussex will show this game on 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?
Essex have not been overly hurt by England's demands and come into this one in far better form. Away win.
OTHER T20 BLAST MATCH PREVIEWS, JULY 9
NORTH GROUP
Worcestershire v Birmingham Bears
Lancashire Lightning v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Yorkshire Vikings
SOUTH GROUP
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.