Essex County Cricket Club news

Big win - Essex players celebrate taking the wicket of Lancashire's Luke Wells Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex wrap up comprehensive win at Lancashire
Essex claim big win at Lancashire in LV= Insurance County Championship

Moving on - Colchester and East Essex stalwart Julian Russell has moved back to Australia

'It’s an exciting new chapter' - Julian Russell waves fond farewell to Colchester

Breather - Essex batsmen Paul Walter (right) and Feroze Khushi chat between overs against Northamptonshire Picture: TGS PHOTO

Walter's fine knock helps Essex salvage draw against Northamptonshire

In the wickets - Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club bowler Ben Stephens took three wickets in his side's game against Epping, last weekend Picture: TRACY HILLS

'It's very exciting': Colchester and East Essex all set for new league season

Hitting out - Essex's Simon Harmer fends off a delivery against Warwickshire Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex have a match to forget after heavy defeat at Warwickshire

Memorable - Daniel Gladwell finished with sensational figures of 9-2 on his first-ever senior appearance for West Mersea Cricket Club

Howzat! West Mersea teenager takes nine wickets...for just two runs

Smiles - Essex County Cricket Club head coach Anthony McGrath praised Adam Rossington following his 'magnificent innings' against Somerset Picture: TGS PHOTO

'It was an incredible game that could have gone either way at the end'

Well done - Dan Lawrence celebrates with his Essex team-mates after taking the wicket of Kent's Jordan Cox Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex captain Tom Westley takes the positives after opening draw with Kent

Leading the way - Essex skipper Tom Westley is hoping to enjoy more success with the county, this season Picture: TGS PHOTO

Tom Westley hails Essex head coach Anthony McGrath ahead of season opener

Hero - Sir Alastair Cook who is visiting Gosfield School (PICTURE: ANTHONY DEVLIN/PA WIRE)

England cricket icon coming to Essex school as part of sustainability program

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne dies aged 52 of 'suspected heart attack'

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne dies aged 52 of 'suspected heart attack'

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UK's most popular sports teams revealed - See the full Sports Direct list

Influence - former Colchester and East Essex seamer Reece Topley helped England claim a T20 victory over West Indies Picture: NICK POTTS/PA

Topley embracing pressure scenarios after helping England to T20 victory

Staying put - Simon Harmer has signed a new contract extension at Essex County Cricket Club Picture: TGS PHOTO

'I’m proud to have committed my future' - Simon Harmer commits future to Essex

New deal - Colchester's Ben Allison has signed a new contract extension with Essex Picture: TGS PHOTO

'He will be an important option for us next season' - Allison lands new deal

Big hit - Essex player and coach Beth Dodd will lead PiriPiri Cricket's Girls Specialist Cricket Coaching sessions

Howzat! Essex's first-ever girls cricket academy is coming to Lexden

Full stretch - former Colchester and East Essex youngster Reece Topley is currently with the England squad at the 2021 T20 World Cup Picture: NICK POTTS/PA WIRE

Reece Topley hoping to help England go one better at 2021 T20 World Cup

Moving on - Ronnie Irani has left his role on Essex County Cricket Club's board Picture: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTO

Ronnie Irani steps down from Essex board

Call-up - former Colchester seamer Reece Topley has been added to the England squad for the T20 World Cup as a travelling reserve Picture: TGS PHOTO

Ex-Colchester seamer Reece Topley to join England T20 squad as travelling reserve

Success - Essex have been crowned division two champions after victory over Northants Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex are crowned division two champions after thrashing Northants

Prolific - Sam Cook of Essex celebrates with his team mates after taking a wicket Picture: TGS PHOTO

Wickets tumble on 'bonkers' opening day for Essex

Talent - Colchester boxer Lewis Richardson won the Male Sports Personality of the Year award in 2019

Colchester's Sports Personality Of The Year Awards cancelled again

On the cusp: Witham Cricket Club's first XI are one game away from East Anglian Premier League.

Witham's cricketers set for arguably biggest game in club's history

Big milestone - Colchester cricketer Bella Johnson (left) has been named among the UK's top-three young female cricketers

Howzat! Colchester's Bella Johnson is UK's second-best young female cricketer

Champion - Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate with the Championship Trophy, in 2019 Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex legend ten Doeschate to bring curtain down on outstanding career

Breakthrough - Ben Stephens claimed two wickets for Colchester and East Essex in their defeat at the hands of Hadleigh and Thundersley Picture: TRACY HILLS

Colchester and East Essex suffer narrow defeat after thrilling finish

Big hit - Colchester and East Essex's Simon Fernandes scored an unbeaten 75 to help his side beat Chingford Picture: TRACY HILLS

Fernandes' unbeaten stand helps Colchester claim victory

In full flight - Colchester and East Essex's Jack Hobbs in action Picture: TRACY HILLS

Home batsmen prove tough nut to crack for Colchester and East Essex

Five-for - Charlie Watts took five wickets for Colchester and East Essex in their win over Harold Wood Picture: TRACY HILLS

Watts is in electric form as Colchester power to convincing win

Prolific - Joe MacGregor scored 77 for Colchester and East Essex in their defeat to Brentwood, last weekend Picture: TRACY HILLS

Colchester and East Essex are beaten despite Joe MacGregor's fine innings

Contribution - Charlie Watts took 2-27 in Colchester and East Essex's defeat against Chelmsford Picture: TRACY HILLS

Leaders end Colchester and East Essex's impressive run

Venue - Essex's Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex's LV= Insurance County Championship game at Derbyshire is abandoned

Ton up - Colchester and East Essex's Simon Fernandes scored a superb century in their win over Wanstead and Snaresbrook Picture: TRACY HILLS

Colchester and East Essex maintain fine form with another win

Magic moment - big-hitting Essex Eagles batsman Graham Napier celebrates his unbeaten 152 against Sussex Sharks, in 2008 Picture: PAGEPIX

'The launch pad of my career' - Graham Napier reflects on life-changing innings

Experienced duo - Colchester and East Essex captain Darren Eckford (left) with team-mate Julian Russell Picture: TRACY HILLS

Colchester and East Essex captain Darren Eckford achieves personal milestone

Screen star - opener Joe MacGregor and his team-mates are featuring in Colchester and East Essex's live streaming service of their games Picture: TRACY HILLS

Howzat! Colchester cricketers are now screen stars thanks to streaming service

JW 08 Jun 2021 cricket colchester and east essex cricket colchester and east essex charlie allison picture by TRACY HILLS

Colchester and East Essex rack up back-to-back wins

All smiles - Colchester and East Essex captain Darren Eckford (left) celebrates a wicket with team-mate Julian Russell against Billericay Picture: TRACY HILLS

Eckford hoping for more wins after Colchester get off the mark

Winners - Jimmy Neesham’s explosive 53 ensured Essex Eagles started their Vitality Blast campaign with a three-wicket win over Somerset Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Neesham stars as Essex see off Somerset in opening Vitality Blast clash

Eager - Essex’s Jimmy Neesham cannot wait to start the Vitality Blast campaign tonight

Neesham cannot wait to start Vitality Blast campaign with Essex

Cut short - Essex have announced Peter Siddle will miss the rest of the county season after returning home to Australia

Peter Siddle cuts Essex spell short for ‘personal reasons’

Frustrated - Shane Snater celebrates a wicket but Essex had to settle for a home draw against Nottinghamshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex face uphill fight to defend title after draw with Nottinghamshire

Doing battle - Essex seem to be heading for a draw against Nottinghamshire

Essex heading towards a draw with Nottinghamshire

Rained off - no play was possible on day two of Essex and Nottinghamshire’s crucial County Championship fixture at the Cloudfm County Ground

Heavy rain means no play possible on day two between Essex and Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire pair continue to dominate Essex

Nottinghamshire pair continue to dominate Essex

Key performer - Essex bowler Jamie Porter took four wickets in Durham's second innings Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex claim convincing win over Durham as lbw record falls at Riverside

Doing well - Adam Wheater top scored for Essex with 81 runs Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Adam Wheater and Ryan Ten Doeschate put Essex in the driving seat at Durham

Full flight - Ben Stephens in action for Colchester and East Essex against Hornchurch where he took two wickets Picture: TRACY HILLS Instagram: t_hillsphotos Twitter: @T_Hills1

Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club hoping youngsters will flourish

Well played - Michael Pepper top scored for Essex with 92 Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex hit back with ball after collapsing to 182 against Durham at Riverside

Doing well - Essex bowler Peter Siddle Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle enjoys 'proud day' with Essex

Out - Essex bowler Sam Cook celebrates a wicket Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Rain ruins Essex’s slim chances of victory against Warwickshire

First innings lead - Alastair Cook and Ryan ten Doeschate both hit half centuries for Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Cook and ten Doeschate show class to give Essex first-innings lead

Six wickets - Peter Siddle (right) impressed for Essex Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle stars for Essex before rain forces early finish

Doing well - Peter Siddle (left) took four for 36 in a masterful display Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle’s four-wicket haul puts Essex in control against Warwickshire