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Hampshire vs Essex, CC_2026, Today Match Prediction
HAM vs ESS Win Probability
Toss Winner - Hampshire won the toss and choose to bowl first
Essex beat Hampshire by an innings and 137 runs
Can Hampshire overcome the horrors of the last season?
- Hampshire hasn’t won at this venue in the last six games
- Teams batting second have won more games at this venue
- Southampton has an average first-innings score of 296 runs
Essex to win!
| Tournament: | County Championship Division One 2026 |
| Format: | test |
| Venue: | The Rose Bowl, United Kingdom, United Kingdom |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bowl |
| Weather: | 21.9°C|Clear |
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HAM vs ESS Match Prediction & Analysis
We are all set for the County Championship Division One 2026 and expect a cracking start in the first round. Hampshire must overcome their poor performance last season as they face Essex in the 2nd game. Hampshire barely avoided relegation last season and aims for a good start. Essex has a strong group of players and looks to leverage their strengths.
Essex has a strong batting lineup and has retained the core from last season. They have strengthened the bowling attack, putting the team in a strong position. Hampshire looked rusty last year and failed to leverage its home advantage. They have a weak bowling attack, and it will be interesting to see if the team can turn the tables this season.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
HAM
L
L
W
W
W
HAM
195/4 in 19.0 10.26
T20BLAST
Somerset beat Hampshire by 6 wickets
194/6 in 20.0 9.7
158/7 in 18.0 8.78
155/4 in 15.4 9.89
235/8 in 41.0 5.73
304/6 in 50.0 6.08
ESS
W
W
W
W
W
ESS
322/10 in 47.3 6.78
RLODC
Essex beat Derbyshire by 44 runs
366/6 in 50.0 7.32
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 10 Matches
Show More Show Less
447/9 in 119.4
CC_2023
Hampshire beat Essex by 3 wickets
267/7 in 58.1
115/5 in 11.3
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
Essex won by 5 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) (D/L method)
170/7 in 20.0
212/6 in 19.2
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
Hampshire won by 4 wickets
209/7 in 20.0
96/10 in 14.1
VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023
Hampshire won by 118 runs
214/8 in 20.0
TEAMS PREVIEW
Hampshire Preview
Ben Brown and his men were nearly relegated to Division 2 last season, finishing only a point ahead of Durham, in 8th place on the points table. The side had troubles with the bat and the ball last year, winning only twice in their 14 games. While the side has strengthened its batting for the season, Brown wants his men to show some character and set the tone with a win.
Jake Lehmann’s entry strengthens the team’s batting, and he must deliver a good start with Fletcha Middleton. Nick Gubbins must steer the innings in the middle order and add runs with Toby Albert and Tom Prest. Ben Brown was the top run-getter last season, and he must do well in the lower middle order with Liam Dawson.
The bowling attack had its share of hits and misses last year. Kyle Abbott was the star bowler and must get early breakthroughs with Chris Wood. Liam Dawson is an experienced bowler and must trouble the batters in the middle with Sonny Baker. The team expects good spells from Liam Dawon and Gubbins in the supporting roles.
Interesting Stats
- Ben Brown scored 758 runs last season at an average of 42.11
- Kyle Abbott picked up 56 wickets last season at an average of 20.69
HAM Over/Under Betting Tips
Toby Albert First Innings Runs Over 22.5 @ 1.82 (4rabet)
Hampshire Predicted Playing XI:
Ben Brown (c & wk), Jake Lehmann, Toby Albert, Liam Dawson, Brad Wheal, Sonny Baker, Fletcha Middleton, Kyle Abbott, Nick Gubbins, Tom Prest, Chris Wood
Hampshire Actual Playing XI:
Kyle Abbott, Sonny Baker, Ben Brown, Liam Dawson, Nick Gubbins, Edward Jack, Jake Lehmann, Ben Mayes, Tom Prest, Joe Weatherley, Codi Yusuf
Essex Preview
Tom Westley and his men played the catch-up game last season. They finished 5th on the Championship points table with only three wins. The bowling attack didn’t deliver as expected, and they also struggled with injuries. It’s a new season, and Westley aims to put the upsets of the last season behind him. They have a strong batting lineup, and the team needs to leverage it in this game.
Paul Walter finished as the top run-getter for the team last season, and he must deliver a good start with Charlie Allison. They have a formidable middle order and expect runs from Dean Elgar, Wiaan Mulder, and Simon Harmer. The team expects runs from Michael-Kyle Pepper and Matthew Critchley in the lower-middle order.
The bowling attack struggled last season and must find its form. Sam Cook is the key bowler in the team and must strike early in the game with Jamie Porter, who finished as the best bowler last season. Simon Harmer and Charlie Bennett need to do well and keep up the pressure on the batters. The team expects Critchley and Mulder to do well in the supporting act.
Interesting Stats
- Paul Walter scored 914 runs last season at an average of 50.77
- Jamie Porter picked up 49 wickets last season at an average of 20.57
ESS Over/Under Betting Tips
Paul Walter First Innings Runs Over 24.5 @ 1.82 (4rabet)
Essex Predicted Playing XI:
Tom Westley (c), Wiaan Mulder, Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Simon Harmer, Charlie Allison, Michael-Kyle Pepper (wk), Matthew Critchley, Sam Cook, Charlie Bennett, Jamie Porter
Essex Actual Playing XI:
Charlie Allison, Dean Elgar, Jamie Porter, Matt Critchley, Michael Pepper, Noah Thain, Paul Walter, Samuel Cook, Shane Snater, Tom Westley, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
The skies over Southampton will be partly cloudy during the game. We expect the maximum temperature to be around 13°C during the game, with humidity around 70%. The conditions will be challenging for the batters when the ball moves around.
HAM vs ESS Pitch Report
Pitch Condition
BattingBatting Conditions
High ScoringPace Bowling
SwingSpin Bowling
Minimal Turn
The Rose Bowl in Southampton is one of the best batting wickets, and batsmen have been able to play their strokes freely. However, the ground is large and offers plenty of scoring opportunities. Fast bowlers do get their assistance when the ball is hard and new. Spinners need to use their variations well here. The average first-innings score is 296, and the team batting first will like 400 on the board.
Toss: To Bowl
Chasing scores have always been a safe choice at this venue. Last season, the team batting first won only once. The wicket has always been a bit challenging early in the game. The side winning the toss shall not hesitate to bowl first in this game.
HAM vs ESS
Winning Prediction
Hampshire struggled with their form last season. The top and middle order let the team down. They expect a better hand from the key batters against the new ball to have a chance in this game. Essex has a stronger batting lineup and a pace attack that will enjoy bowling on this track. We expect a close game, but Essex has an edge.
Essex to win!
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