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Essex vs Sussex, T20BLAST, Today Match Prediction
ESS vs SUS Win Probability
Toss Winner - Essex won the toss and choose to bat first
Essex beat Sussex by 100 runs
Both sides enter this fixture on the back of morale-sapping defeats - Sussex were blown away by Warwickshire while Essex lost a tight game to Surrey by seven runs. With the South Group tightly contested, a victory here is critical for playoff ambitions.
- Sussex's Daniel Hughes has been anchoring their batting unit, leading the run charts for his side with 264 tournament runs at a strike rate of 138.21.
- Essex's Paul Walter has been in spectacular, explosive form, accumulating 265 tournament runs at an intimidating strike rate of 168.78.
- In their previous meeting this season, Sussex defeated Essex by six wickets.
Essex are our picks for the winners of this match.
| Tournament: | Vitality T20 Blast, 2026 |
| Format: | t20 |
| Venue: | The 1st Central County Ground Hove, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom, United Kingdom |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bowl |
| Weather: | 20.3°C|Sunny |
ESS vs SUS Match Prediction & Analysis
The South Group is threatening to become a logjam. Essex, sitting fourth with 16 points, are well-placed for a quarter-final spot, while Sussex, in fifth with just 6 points, are in serious danger of falling out of playoff contention. A defeat here would all but end the Sharks’ hopes of progression.
Essex have been the more consistent side but are not without their own problems. They have lost their last two matches - a 130-run thrashing by Northants followed by a seven-run defeat to Surrey. However, they are still the better overall side so far and are better placed in this matchup.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
ESS
L
L
L
W
W
ESS
184/10 in 57.4 3.19
457/10 in 126.0 3.63
SUS
L
L
L
W
W
SUS
135/3 in 17.2 7.79
T20BLAST
Sussex beat Kent by 7 wickets
133/8 in 20.0 6.65
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 8 Matches
Show More Show Less
149/5 in 14.5
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
Essex won by 5 wickets
147/10 in 19.3
138/10 in 18.4
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
Essex won by 25 runs
163/7 in 20.0
TEAMS PREVIEW
Essex Preview
Sussex enter this match on the heels of a bruising defeat in their previous fixture on July 1, where they were thoroughly outclassed by Warwickshire, losing by 76 runs after being bundled out for a mere 122 in 16.3 overs. This continuation of their tough run leaves them sitting 5th in the South Group, with their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. They will need a drastically improved performance across both departments to turn their tournament around.
In their last outing against Warwickshire, the batting unit crumbled under pressure, though individual performances throughout the tournament offer a glimmer of hope. Top-order batter Daniel Hughes has been their most dependable asset, accumulating 264 runs across 8 matches at an average of 37.71. Harrison Ward has provided extreme explosive impact when available, smashing 181 runs at a stunning strike rate of 181.00.
With the ball, Tymal Mills has led the line as their premier wicket-taker, snaring 10 wickets in 8 innings, although he has been on the expensive side with an economy of 9.78. Left-arm orthodox spinner Danny Briggs has provided crucial control in the middle overs, picking up 8 wickets with a more restrictive economy rate of 8.88.
Players to Watch:
Daniel Hughes: The stabilizer at the top order who holds the key to Sussex putting up a competitive total.
Harrison Ward: A highly destructive option whose rapid strike rate can completely shift the powerplay momentum.
Tymal Mills: The experienced death-overs specialist whose wicket-taking ability remains central to Sussex's bowling plans.
Essex Predicted Playing XI:
John Simpson, Oliver Carter, Tom Alsop (WK), Harrison Ward, Daniel Hughes, Henry Thomas Crocombe, Tymal Mills (C), George Thomas, Jack Joshua Carson, Danny Briggs, Sean Hunt
Essex Key Players From Previous Game Of Vitality T20 Blast, 2026
Essex Actual Playing XI:
Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, Mackenzie Jones, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper, Paul Walter, Samuel Cook, Shane Snater, Simon Fernandes , Simon Harmer, Zaman Akhter
Sussex Preview
Essex come into this fixture on the back of a thrilling, high-scoring epic on July 1 against Surrey, falling just 7 runs short in a monumental chase of 240, finishing on 233/8. Despite the close defeat, the sheer firepower displayed by their line-up cements their status as a terrifying batting unit. Holding onto the 4th spot in the South Group, they look well-poised to make a deep playoff push if they can tighten up their bowling discipline.
The previous game witnessed an absolute masterclass from Paul Walter, who smashed a breathtaking 78 off just 30 balls, a knock that featured 16 boundary hits and briefly threatened the record for the fastest Blast century. Shane Snater and Zaman Akhter also showed incredible lower-order depth, clubbing an unbeaten 59-run partnership in just 21 balls at the death. Overall, Charlie Allison has been remarkably consistent, scoring 246 runs at a brilliant average of 61.50, while Michael Pepper remains a dangerous force with 198 runs at 150.00.
In the bowling department, Charlie Bennett has been their chief weapon, taking 12 wickets in 8 games, though his economy is high at 10.48. Zaman Akhter has offered excellent support with 11 wickets, while skipper Simon Harmer remains their most restrictive bowler, taking 6 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.80.
Players to Watch:
Paul Walter: Coming off a destructive 78-run blitz, his current form makes him the most dangerous middle-order batsman in the tie.
Charlie Allison: Possessing a supreme tournament average of 61.50, he provides stability to the middle order.
Simon Harmer: The captain’s elite off-spin will be crucial in choking Sussex's scoring options during the middle phases.
Sussex Predicted Playing XI:
Paul Walter, Michael-Kyle Pepper (WK), Charles Allison, Matt Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, Noah Thain, Simon Harmer (C), Simon Fernandes, Shane Snater, Zaman Akhter, Charlie Edward Bennett
Sussex Key Players From Previous Game Of Vitality T20 Blast, 2026
Sussex Actual Playing XI:
Danny Briggs, Henry Crocombe, Tymal Mills, John Simpson, Oliver Carter, Jack Carson, Sean Hunt, Harrison Ward, Tom Alsop, Daniel Hughes, George Thomas
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
The forecast for Hove on Friday evening is for mostly cloudy skies with a temperature around 18-20°C, humidity at 75% and a light south-westerly breeze. There is a chance of light drizzle, but a full 20-over contest is expected. The overcast conditions could assist the seamers early in the innings.
ESS vs SUS Pitch Report
Pitch Condition
BalancedBatting Conditions
Moderate ScoringPace Bowling
SwingSpin Bowling
Minimal Turn
County Ground, Hove, has offered good batting conditions in this season's T20 Blast, with the average first-innings score across the last four matches standing at 174. The surface has produced two contrasting contests, with totals of 213 and 179 proving competitive, while 133 was comfortably chased after the pitch became easier to bat on under lights. Three of the last four matches have been won by the chasing side, suggesting teams prefer bowling first. Pace bowlers can find some early movement with the new ball, but once batters get set, the quick outfield and relatively short square boundaries allow for rapid scoring, particularly during the death overs.
Toss: To Bowl
In the five matches played at Hove this season in the T20 Blast, four have been won by the side chasing. Hence, we reckon the captain winning the toss in this clash will prefer to bowl first.
ESS vs SUS
Winning Prediction
Sussex have match-winners like Harrison Ward and Tymal Mills who can turn a contest around in just a few overs. But their recent performances as a team have lacked consistency, with four defeats in their last five games. Essex, on the other hand, have a strong batting line-up that came close to chasing 240 in their previous game. Their spin department, headed by Simon Harmer, also gives them an edge. Essex's batting depth should be enough to carry them to a comfortable win.
Essex are our picks for the winners of this match.
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