Cricket Prediction | ESS vs SUS | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | South Group | July 11 – Who’s Got the Better Odds?

ESS vs SUS Match Analysis

The upcoming Vitality Blast South Group clash between Essex and Sussex will take place at Chelmsford on July 11, 2025. The match’s evening timing sets the stage for an electrifying contest under floodlights. 

Essex have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled to put together consistent performances so far in this season’s Vitality Blast. Their batting lineup features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, but they have fallen short against stronger opposition recently. 

Sussex comes into this match with a balanced squad boasting international stars like Steven Smith and Jofra Archer. However, their recent form has been patchy, with close losses highlighting some vulnerabilities in the middle order. 

Essex vs Sussex Team Preview & Squads

Essex

Simon Harmer leads ESS with a calm yet aggressive approach, bringing a wealth of T20 experience as a bowler and leader. His tactical nous has helped Essex punch above their weight in previous seasons. 

Anchored by the dependable Tom Westley and Adam Rossington, Essex’s batting balances grit and flair. Youngsters Jordan Cox and Michael-Kyle Pepper bring vibrancy to the middle overs. However, their challenge lies in sustaining form, making a big innings from the top order essential to setting a challenging target.

The bowling unit is spearheaded by Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer, both capable of taking wickets in crucial moments. Supporting bowlers like Shane Snater and Paul Walter provide handy variations with seam and spin. 

At Taunton, ESS’s hopes crumbled like dry leaves under Somerset’s relentless storm. Somerset posted a formidable 225/6 batting first, putting Essex under pressure. Essex’s chase faltered dramatically, with the team all out for just 130 in 14.1 overs. The 95-run defeat exposed batting frailties and will be a concern heading into the Sussex game.

Essex Squad

Essex

Tom Westley, Nick Browne, Matt Critchley, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer (C), Adam Rossington, Jamie Porter, Feroze Khushi, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Paul Walter, Aaron Beard, Shane Snater, Samuel Cook, Jordan Cox (wk), Ben Allison, Robin Das, Jamal Richards, Luc Benkenstein, Noah Thain, Charles Allison, Simon Fernandes.

Sussex

Tymal Mills leads SUS with enthusiasm and tactical insight, blending pace bowling prowess with astute leadership. His experience in franchise cricket adds to his ability to manage pressure situations. 

The SUS batting order is reinforced by the stylish Steven Smith and dependable Cheteshwar Pujara, who can both hold the innings together. John Simpson’s wicketkeeping doubles up with handy batting contributions, while young batsmen like Tom Clark and Daniel Hughes provide flexibility. 

The bowling arsenal is strong, with Jofra Archer leading the pace attack alongside Tymal Mills and Ollie Robinson. The inclusion of Jaydev Unadkat and George Garton adds variety with left-arm options. Sussex’s bowling attack is well-balanced and capable of adapting to different conditions.

Sussex recently lost a close game to Kent at Brighton, managing only 148 runs batting first. Despite a spirited bowling effort, Kent chased down the target with 3 balls to spare, finishing at 151/8. 

Sussex Squad

Sussex

Steven Smith, Jaydev Unadkat, Gurinder Sandhu, George Garton, Nathan McAndrew, Cheteshwar Pujara, John Simpson (wk), Danny Lamb, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Tom Alsop, Harrison Ward, Tom Haines, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Daniel Hughes, Tom Clark, Jayden Seales, Aristides Karvelas, Jack Joshua Carson, Henry Thomas Crocombe, James Coles, Sean Hunt, Danial Ibrahim, Oliver Carter, Ali Orr, George Thomas II, James Hayes, Bradley Currie, Bertie Foreman, Henry Rogers, Nantes Thomas, Troy Henry, Tymal Mills (C).

ESS vs SUS Outfield Report

County Ground, Chelmsford

The Chelmsford pitch is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball, with a slightly slow surface that favors bowlers who can extract bounce and seam movement. Spinners like Simon Harmer and George Garton may come into play during the middle overs as the ball tends to grip. Overall, batting first might be slightly advantageous under these conditions.

Weather forecasts predict a warm summer evening with temperatures hovering around 22°C and mostly clear skies. Light winds are expected, which should not interfere significantly with bowling or batting conditions. The pleasant weather will likely provide ideal conditions for a full 20-over game without interruptions.

Historically, Chelmsford has seen a highest T20 score around 220 on a good batting day, while the lowest totals have hovered near 120 when the pitch assists bowlers. Considering the current pitch and weather, teams batting first can expect to score between 160-190 runs, with anything below 140 being a subpar total.

Essex vs Sussex Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five Vitality Blast encounters, Sussex have edged Essex with three wins to Essex’s two, often prevailing in close matches. The contests have typically been tight, with both sides showcasing competitive cricket. 

ESS vs SUS Prediction

According to cricket analysts Sussex have a 54% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.