Middlesex vs Essex Eagles T20 Blast 2024.

On the 13th June 2024, I was fortunate enough to have been granted a Media Pass for the Vitality T20 Blast match between Middlesex and Essex at Lords. This opportunity gave me valuable insight into the media industry during a live sporting event which included: match reporting, liaising with colleagues/other media persons, live updates via social media and post-match interviewing.

Match Information:

Middlesex vs Essex Eagles.

Vitality Blast.

Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Thursday 13th June 2024.

Team News:

Middlesex: Stephen Eskinazi ©, Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Max Holden, Ryan Higgins, Jack Davies (WK), Luke Hollman, Henry Brookes, Tom Helm, Blake Cullen, Noah Cornwell.

Essex: Adam Rossington (WK), Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, Jordan Cox, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Daniel Sams, Simon Harmer ©, Shane Snater, Luc Benkenstein, Aaron Beard.

Match Details:

Umpires: Ben Debenham and Chris Watts.

Scorers: D. Shelley and Paul Parkinson.

Match Referee: Mike Smith.

Toss won by: Middlesex, who elected to bowl.

For their fifth Vitality Blast match of 2024, the Eagles took a trip to Lords for a clash against Middlesex. With a murky sky and dark clouds surrounding north-west London, a light drizzle delayed the start of the play by twenty-five minutes.

The hosts opted to bowl first in the gloomy conditions and took their first wicket in the fourth over through England Under-19 seamer Noah Cornwall. Adam Rossington’s sliced effort landed into the hands of Joe Cracknell at wide third man. Rossington made 20 off 14 and Essex ended the fourth over on 34/1.

Michael Pepper’s introduction into the game saw half a dozen boundaries hit including a well-orchestrated trademark Pepper ramp. Elgar also took to finding the rope as the pair took the Eagles to 66/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Cornwell remained in the wickets as he hit the base of Pepper’s leg-stump in the sixth over and he departed for 23 from 12. Elgar’s missed timed sweep an over later allowed Hollman to catch the ball from his own bowling and the South African opener exited for 28 from 17. The Eagles finished the 8th over on 88/3.

Paul Walter joined Jordan Cox at the crease and the two displayed their ability in boundary hitting, especially through an outrageous Cox reverse sweep for a maximum. With their sights on a fifty-run partnership, Cox and Walter brought the Eagles to 115/3 at the halfway stage.

Ryan Higgins claimed the host’s fourth wicket as Walter gave himself room at the crease only to find his leg stump shifted by the Middlesex’ all-rounder.

However, the weather halted proceedings during the 13th over with Essex on 129/4 as the players and umpires opted for shelter.

Due to a lengthy delay in play, Middlesex were set a score of 80 to win from 6 overs, with the powerplay lasting 1.5 overs. The hosts required just over 13 runs per over to win.

Daniel Sams opened the bowling for the Eagles and reduced Middlesex to just 7 which included a miscued ramp shot from Max Holden.

The home side looked to increase their tally as Eskinazi hit back-to-back boundaries, including a maximum, in the second over off Shane Snater.

With tensions rising, it was Aaron Beard’s turn to bowl. Holden elevated Middlesex’s score with a six pulled to deep square leg and a no-ball two in the over posted the host’s score to 34 off 3 at a required score of 48 off 18.

The fourth over saw the introduction of left-arm seamer Paul Walter. After a tight start just conceding a dot and a single, Tall Paul claimed the wicket of Middlesex captain and danger man Stephen Eskinazi as he drilled the ball to Dean Elgar in the cover region.

Paul’s impressive over continued as Ryan Higgins looked to go over the top of Simon Harmer at mid-wicket but was caught in the safe hands of the Essex skipper. This left Middlesex on 38/2 after 4 overs with a requirement of 42 off 12 to win.

Sams returned to bowl from the Pavilion End in the penultimate over in aim of reducing Middlesex’s score but Holden counter-attacked with a few boundaries. This set Middlesex a score of 29 to win from the last over.

Captain Harmer gave Walter the responsibility to take the final over which concluded with an Essex victory by 16 runs by DLS method.

(Below) Post-match interview with Essex head-coach, Anthony McGrath.