Essex vs Sussex, CC_2026, Today Match Prediction

ESS vs SUS Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Essex will face Sussex in the 51st match of the English County Championship Division One played at County Ground, Chelmsford, starting from Wednesday.

With four wins, four losses and two draws, Essex are currently lying in the bottom half of the league table. Captain Tom Westley will be hoping that the side can put on a strong show in this home fixture.

On the other hand, Sussex’s previous match against Somerset ended in a draw. Captain Tom Haines will be hoping that the side can show discipline in all three departments against Essex.

In 2025 English County Championship Division one game played at Hove, Essex beat Sussex by a comprehensive margin of an innings and 39 runs.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Essex Preview

Essex In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, skipper Tom Westley, Charlie Allison, Matthew Critchley, Michael Pepper and Simon Harmer to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In their only innings against Surrey, Essex managed to post 279 runs in 85 overs.

For Essex, Dean Elgar played well and finished the innings with the top-score of 113 runs off 191 balls with the help of fourteen fours and one six. He was well supported by Charlie Allison, who scored 43 runs off 85 balls with the help of four fours and one six.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Jamie Porter, Sam Cook, Shane Snater, Simon Harmer, and Matthew Critchley to deliver timely breakthroughs.

In the previous match, Sam Cook was the pick of the bowlers on display for Essex and claimed five wickets against Somerset.

Essex Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Westley (c), Dean Elgar, Charlie Allison, Paul Walter, Matthew Critchley, Michael Pepper (wk), Sam Cook, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater, Simon Harmer, Zaman Akhter.

Sussex Preview

The side will be coming into this match, with decent amount of confidence, after securing a draw against Somerset in a game played at Hove.

In the batting department, the side will be depending on the likes of Charlie Tear, Tom Clark, Tom Haines, James Coles and Daniel Hughes to do the bulk of the scoring.

In the previous match, Sussex managed to post 250 runs in 69.4 overs, courtesy half-centuries from Tom Clark, and wicket-keeper John Simpson.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Henry Crocombe, Sean Hunt, Jaydev Unadkat, Tom Clark and Joey Evison to deliver important breakthroughs.

In the previous match, pacer Henry Crocombe bowled well for Sussex and claimed six wickets against Somerset.

Sussex Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Haines (c), Charlis Tear, John Simpson (wk), Jack Carson, Tom Clark, Daniel Hughes, James Coles, Hudson-Prentice/Jaydev Unadkat, Joey Evison, Henry Crocombe, Sean Hunt.

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for the game is going to be light clouds with moderate breeze. Expect showers on second day in the first session

ESS vs SUS Pitch Report

The average first innings score at County Ground, Chelmsford in the ongoing English County Championship Division One in the previous five completed matches is around 273 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

Given overcast condition for first two days, both the captains will be keen to win the all-important toss, bowl first on this surface.