Essex CCC | One Day Cup Match Preview - 31/07/2024

A first trip to Chelmsford since 2016 awaits on Wednesday, as Leicestershire head south to take on Essex in round three of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

The Foxes won all five away trips in the competition last summer, and will be looking to secure their seventh straight 50-over victory on their travels this time around.

Like Leicestershire, Essex have won one and lost one at the beginning of the group stage, beating Gloucestershire by 63 runs on Sunday.

Last Time We Met:

Leicestershire won a tense clash by two wickets at Kibworth in last August’s encounter. Chris Wright, Tom Scriven, and Josh Hull each snared a couple of wickets apiece to restrict Essex to 250/8 after their allocation.

In reply, Sol Budinger struck his maiden career hundred, while Peter Handscomb put up 69 to put the Foxes in pole position. A cluster of wickets made for a nervy finish, but Louis Kimber and Wright kept their composure to see the side home by two wickets with nine balls to spare.

Decisive Duel:

Wednesday’s contest could well be decided by the platform set by each side’s openers. Harry Swindells is resuming his role as List A opener this term after a successful stint in 2021.

The hundred hero in last September’s final at Trent Bridge, Swindells averages 32.35 in 50-over cricket, and has the ability to go through the gears as the innings progresses. He made a superb start in last Wednesday’s opener “ putting on 95 with Sol Budinger for the first wicket.

For Essex, Nick Browne has more than 8,000 career runs and 20 centuries as a one-club man. The 33-year-old averages 28.12 in this format, anchoring innings before Essex’s late innings firepower come to the fore. If Leicestershire can dismiss him early, they’ll remove a pivotal lynchpin.

Squad:

We name an unaltered 14-man squad for Wednesday's trip to Chelmsford.

Leicestershire Foxes: Budinger, Cox+, Evans, Handscomb, Hill*, Mike, Rahane, Salisbury, Scriven, Swindells, Trevaskis, Walker, Wood, Wright.