Cricket Prediction | HAM vs ESS | Vitality Blast Men 2025 | South Group | May 30 – Can Essex Tame the Rose Bowl Fortress?

HAM vs ESS Match Analysis

The match is scheduled for an evening start at the iconic Ageas Bowl, with play commencing at 6:30 PM local time. Fans can expect a thrilling T20 contest under lights in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

The Hampshire lineup combines the wisdom of seasoned pros like Lhuan dre Pretorius with the flair of young guns like Dewald Brevis. Their recent performances have been a mixed bag, but the team boasts strong all-round capabilities.

Essex come into this match with a solid lineup blending seasoned pros like Dean Elgar and rising stars such as Noah Thain. Their batting depth, led by Adam Rossington, is complemented by a formidable bowling attack featuring Mohammad Amir and Simon Harmer.

Hampshire vs Essex Team Preview & Squads

Hampshire

Bold calls? That’s his warm-up. Lhuan-dré turns pressure into opportunity and chaos into checkmate. Pretorius leads by example, contributing crucial runs and breakthroughs with the ball.

HAM batting order is anchored by experienced players such as Mark Stoneman and Dewald Brevis, who provide stability and flair respectively. The middle order, featuring Tom Prest and Nick Gubbins, offers depth and the ability to accelerate in the latter stages.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by the pace duo of Kyle Abbott and Brad Wheal, both capable of taking wickets in crucial phases. Support comes from all-rounders like Liam Dawson, who can provide economical spells with the ball and contribute handy runs. The spin department is bolstered by Felix Organ, adding variety to the attack.

Hampshire’s last outing in the GSL 2024 saw them struggle considerably against Victoria at Providence on December 5, 2024. Victoria posted a competitive 170/4, and Hampshire faltered in the chase, finishing at 95 all out in just 12.1 overs. The 75-run defeat highlighted some frailties in their batting lineup and inability to handle pressure. Hampshire will look to rectify these issues and bounce back strongly in this Vitality Blast clash.

Hampshire Squad

Hampshire Squad

Lhuan dre Pretorius, Toby Albert (WK), Ben Brown, Dewald Brevis, Mark Stoneman, Tom Prest, Nick Gubbins, Fletcha Middleton, Ali Orr (WK), Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Felix Organ, Brad Wheal, Kyle Abbott, John Turner, Sonny Baker.

Essex

With a calm presence and strategic mind, Tom Westley takes charge as the experienced skipper of ESS. Westley has been instrumental in building a cohesive unit that blends youth and experience.

Leading Essex’s batting charge, Jordan Cox and Michael-Kyle Pepper open the innings with solid starts. The middle order, including Adam Rossington and Dean Elgar, offers a blend of aggression and solidity. Lower down the order, players like Paul Walter and Matt Critchley add depth and firepower for the final overs.

The Essex bowling attack is anchored by seasoned pacers Mohammad Amir and Jamie Porter, who can extract movement and generate early breakthroughs. With his crafty spin, Simon Harmer delivers both economy and breakthroughs during the crucial middle overs.

In their last meeting with Hampshire during the South Group T20 Blast at Southampton on July 19, 2024, Essex narrowly lost a high-scoring thriller. Hampshire posted 181/5, and Essex fought hard but fell short at 174/7 in the full 20 overs. The 7-run loss was a close contest showcasing Essex’s competitive spirit but also highlighting the need for sharper finishing.

Essex Squad

Essex Squad

Jordan Cox, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Adam Rossington (WK), Tom Westley, Dean Elgar, Nick Browne, Robin Das, Charles Allison, Paul Walter, Matt Critchley, Noah Thain, Jamal Richards, Luc Benkenstein, Mohammad Amir, Simon Harmer, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater, Samuel Cook, Mackenzie Jones.

HAM vs ESS Outfield Report

The Rose Bowl, Southampton

The pitch at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl generally offers a good balance between bat and ball. The surface is expected to be true with consistent bounce, favoring stroke-makers but still offering some assistance to bowlers in the early overs.

The weather forecast predicts mild conditions with a temperature around 18°C, partly cloudy skies, and minimal chance of rain interruptions. Light breezes from the sea may help bowlers swing the ball early on, which could influence the opening spells.

Historically, the highest team score on this pitch in Vitality Blast matches is around 190, while the lowest successful chase has hovered near 140 runs. Batting first generally gives teams a slight advantage, but solid chasing teams have also found success with smart pacing of their innings.

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

The last five encounters between Hampshire and Essex have been tightly contested, with Hampshire winning three matches and Essex two.

HAM vs ESS Prediction

According to cricket analysts Essex have a 56% chance of Winning.