Essex vs Hampshire, CC_2025, Today Match Prediction 22 June 2025

ESS vs HAM Match Prediction & Analysis

After a glut of T20 Blast fixtures, all eyes and attention divert back to red-ball cricket in the County Championship from Sunday onwards!

And for Essex and Hampshire, they will be keen to get their championship season back on track as neither had strong starts to the season and after seven games only Yorkshire and Worcestershire sit beneath them in division one.

That said, the table is still somewhat congested and Hampshire in seventh are only 23 points behind Surrey in second. Nottinghamshire have a ten point lead at the top but there is still a long way to go!

It has been a hot week in Chelmsford and this game looks set to be played with sunshine from start to finish and plenty of high temperatures for players and supporters alike.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Essex Preview

When Essex last played County Championship cricket, just under a month ago against high-flying Surrey, the game finished in a draw with Essex much closer to victory than their opponents.

So although they could not force the victory, getting Surrey seven wickets down in the fourth innings of the match, they should be able to take plenty of positives and confidence from that fixture.

With the bat, keeper-batter Michael Pepper hit 75 in the first innings before plenty stepped up in the second innings - openers Paul Walter (118) and Dean Elgar (64), with skipper Tom Westley making 50, as did Noah Thain, and Charlie Allison top scoring with 140.

Jamie Porter took five wickets as Essex looked to force the victory after asun Rajitha had picked up five of his own in the first innings and Simon Harmer remains a very consistent performer, taking two wickets in both innings.

Essex Predicted Playing XI:

Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (c), Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Noah Train, Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Kasun Rajitha, Jamie Porter

Hampshire Preview

Hampshire were thrashed by Sussex in front of their home fans in their last County Championship fixture and after a month to stew it over will be keen to bounce back in Chelmsford.

Batting is a huge issue for this side and the team was bowled out for 154 and 165 against Sussex with only captain Ben Brown making an unbeaten half-century in the first innings, the only player in the side to reach 50 in either innings.

The bowling attack were more impressive against Sussex but still could not find a way back into the fixtrure which is a surprise considering the variety and depth they have as a unit.

Kyle Abbott, Brad Wheal, James Fuller and John Turner make an impressive pace attack with international spinner Liam Dawson able to cause problems and keep the economy rate down with his left-arm spin.

Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:

Oli Carter, Tom Haines, Tom Alsop, James Coles, Tom Clark, John Simpson (c) (wk), Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, Nathan McAndrew, Aristides Karvelas, Henry Crocombe

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast in Chelmsford is encouraging for the duration of this game. THere will be a high of 27 degrees and no rain is expected across the four days of the match.

ESS vs HAM Pitch Report

Chelmsford remains a good place for cricket with batters getting full value for their shots and the bowlers getting assistance across the game. Whoever bats first will be looking to post at least 320.

Toss: To Bat

With the pitch likely to be baked across the four days of this game, batting is likely to be tough by day four. Therefore, we predict that both sides will want to bat first at the toss.