ESSEX V SURREY at Chelmsford (RCC)
27-30 AUGUST 2026

Seventh in Division One plays host to eighth. Essex have notched up four championship wins (from 9) this summer to Surrey's solitary victory over Sussex (at the start of May). The Oval outfit, who have now lost three out of four in red-ball cricket for the first time since the end of the 2020 Covid-19 season and the start of 2021, go into this contest sitting, precariously, just 3 points above the drop zone. But for an atrocious weather forecast, this would seem to be an ideal time for the South Londoners to be taking on Essex, who have lost two on the bounce in the Champo - to Notts (by an innings and 52) in June and Somerset (by 8 wickets) last week.

Assuming they avoid being sucked into a late-season relegation scrap, Essex will almost certainly have their bowlers to thank for Division One survival. Sam Cook (31 red-ball wickets at 20.29 runs apiece) and Shane Snater (29 at 21.72) have looked good all summer, while being ably supported by Jamie Porter (23 at 29.69) and spinners Matt Critchley (14 at 29.92) and Simon Harmer (27 at 34.18).

In the absence of Jordan Cox, who has gone straight from the IPL and into the England Test team (albeit with a championship double century against Leicestershire in-between), Essex have struggled with the bat. Only Critchley (699 runs at an average of 53.76), Charlie Allison (616 at 41.06) and Harmer (419 at 38.09) have enjoyed any consistency. Despite all making hundreds against Surrey in round four, skipper Tom Westley is averaging 29.91, Paul Walter 28.47 and Dean Elgar 27.25, while wicketkeeper Michael Pepper's best in this year's Champo is just 35.

Surrey v Essex - First-Class Records Sheet

If he plays, ...

Five from Surrey are named in England's squad for the Second Test at Lord's - Atkinson, Fisher, Lawrence, Pope and Smith. Sam Curran (groin) and Will Jacks (appendicitis) are recovering from recent operations. Ryan Patel (broken thumb/finger) is also sidelined.

Surrey haven't lost to Essex in four-day cricket since 2020, although 6 of the last 8 head-to-heads have ended in stalemate. Looking at the weather forecast for Chelmsford, we could well be looking at adding another draw to that list. Only days 2 and 4 might get away with staying dry. Prediction - draw.

D.Elgar, P.Walter, T.Westley (capt), C.Allison, M.Critchley, N.Thain, M.Pepper (wk), S.Harmer, S.Snater, S.Cook and J.Porter.

TBC.

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