Match Preview: Hampshire v Essex Eagles - Vitality Blast

Following Friday’s Vitality Blast defeat against Glamorgan, Hampshire will be looking to pick up a second win of the campaign when they face Essex Eagles in the penultimate home fixture of the campaign on Sunday.

Hampshire Squad:

An unchanged 15-man squad has been named as James Vince’s side return to the The Ageas Bowl this weekend with three South Group games remaining in the competition.

Both Vince and Rilee Rossouw looked in good touch on Friday - the latter striking his first half-century of the competition so far - as the pair found the boundary with ease before momentum was lost in the middle-order. The duo will again open at the top of the order on Sunday and look to get their side off to a flyer.

Liam Dawson has been the most consistent performer with the ball so far this summer and has an excellent record against the visitors – he’ll be looking to add further wickets to his tally this weekend.

The Opposition:

After finishing second from bottom in the South Group last year, Essex Eagles have struggled again this season and are currently in sixth place with five points.

Opening batsman Varun Chopra has been the most prolific batsman in Ryan ten Doeschate’s side and has already contributed 400 runs from his 10 innings, including five half-centuries, however his good form hasn’t been backed up regularly by the remainder of the batting line-up.

It’s a similar story for the Essex bowling attack, with overseas leg-spinner Adam Zampa the only bowler to have taken more than five wickets so far this year – his 12 scalps have come at an average of just 20.75 in 10 matches – but has now departed for the CPL and is unavailable.

Did You Know?

• Liam Dawson has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 22.16 in T20 matches against Essex Eagles.
• Sam Northeast struck a superb 73*, his highest T20 score for Hampshire, when both sides met in a tied match earlier this season.

Full Hampshire Squad

Coverage

Hampshire Cricket’s social media channels will provide updates throughout both match. Ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights can be found at ageasbowl.com/cricket.

BBC Radio Solent also offers ball-by-ball commentary online at bbc.co.uk.

Weather Forecast:

Follow the link for the latest weather forecast for the The Ageas Bowl: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcp185f25

Tickets:

Tickets for Sunday’s match against Essex Eagles and Hampshire’s other Vitality Blast matches at The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link below, over the phone 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.