Buoyant Sharks head to Chelmsford for Essex clash

Sussex Sharks go into their penultimate match of the Royal London Cup group stage against Essex Eagles at The Cloudfm County Ground tomorrow (Tuesday) buoyed by a thrilling win against Worcestershire on Friday.

There is one change to the Sussex squad for the trip to Chelmsford, with Jack Carson replaced by David Wiese who returns after missing the match at New Road due to a pre-existing commitment.

Jofra Archer (right elbow), Jamie Atkins (right shoulder), Tom Clark (right knee) and Mitch Claydon (right shoulder) are unavailable through injury.

Ravi Bopara, George Garton, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Phil Salt, Delray Rawlins and Luke Wright are all away with their respective teams in The Hundred.

The Sharks’ victory in their previous fixture was just reward for the young team’s efforts so far in the tournament and was made even more special for the match-winning performances of James Coles, Archie Lenham and centurion Ali Orr, three homegrown Academy products.

Travis Head continued his own good form in the competition with a vital 38 not out to see the Sharks home with a six with three balls remaining. The Australian overseas player is the team’s top run-scorer in this year’s Royal London Cup with 207 runs at an average of 51.75 so far.

Seventeen-year-old leg-spinner, Lenham, took three wickets against Worcestershire to take his tournament tally to eight. Coles, also 17, took 3 for 27 from his ten overs to take his total for the campaign to six.

With two games to play, Sussex are seventh in Group A with an average of 0.67 points per match. Standings in the group are being decided in this manner following the cancellation of Sunday’s fixture between Middlesex and Gloucestershire after the COVID-19-related isolation of Gloucestershire players left the county unable fulfil the fixture.

Sussex Sharks squad

Tom Haines (captain), Will Beer, Ben Brown, Oli Carter, James Coles, Henry Crocombe, Travis Head, Sean Hunt, Danial Ibrahim, Archie Lenham, Ali Orr, Joe Sarro, Harrison Ward, David Wiese

Essex Eagles

Essex are well-placed to finish the group stage as one of the top three teams from Group A that will qualify for the knock-out stages. After six matches, they are second with an average of 1.33 points per game from four wins and two losses.

One of those two losses came in their last match against Durham at Emirates Riverside on Sunday, despite a century for Feroze Khushi on List A debut.

Captain Tom Westley is Essex’s top scorer in the competition, with 328 runs from his six innings, including four half centuries and a top score of 87 not out.

Right-arm seamer, Shane Snater is the side’s – and indeed the competition’s – leading wicket-taker with 13 dismissals so far. He’s followed closely by veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer on 12.

Match information

Essex Eagles versus Sussex Sharks at The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford on Tuesday 10th August is scheduled to start at 11am. Tickets are available here.

If you can’t make the game, a live stream will be available on the Sussex Cricket Match Centre alongside video clips, a live scorecard and live statistics.

The Sharks’ next home match is on Thursday 12th August against Middlesex at 11am. Tickets are available here.