2021 County Championship – Nottinghamshire vs Essex Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Nottinghamshire vs Essex taking place? Thursday 6th May, 2021 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is Nottinghamshire vs Essex taking place? Trent Bridge, Nottingham
What is the expected weather for Nottinghamshire vs Essex? Days one and two are expected to be dry with temperatures averaging around 12c but days three and four are expected to be heavily affected by rain
Where can I get tickets for Nottinghamshire vs Essex? The County Championship will initially be played without spectators but it is worth checking each county’s official website for updates
What channel is Nottinghamshire vs Essex on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Nottinghamshire vs Essex? Matches can be streamed live on the official websites of the First-Class Counties
THE PREDICTION
Nottinghamshire come into this on the back of their first first-class victory in nearly three years since June 2018. They defeated Derbyshire by 310 runs after impressive bowling performances in both innings from Luke Fletcher and the returning Stuart Broad. The string form of Haseeb Hameed will be pleasant news for all England cricket fans, in particular those at Notts. The Boltonian opener is averaging 93 in his last five innings with two centuries and two half-centuries. Despite poor form over the course of a couple of years, they have lost just one game this year and that came after failing to defend a mammoth chase of 333 against Warwickshire.
They come up against an Essex side that sit fifth in Group A of the County Championship; just one win and a draw in their opening four matches for the side that are going for their third first-class trophy in four years. A concern for the now perennial title challengers had been the poor batting performances of their top-order, however, they managed to post a dominant score at Worcestershire last week as they declared in their first innings on 561-8. Centuries for both Alastair Cook and captain Tom Westley weren’t enough to force a victory in time but it will give the top-order some much needed confidence.
Despite Notts’ first victory in over three years last week, they will still come into this as the underdogs. Essex have started slowly but with their batsman now gaining much-needed confidence, it will now be on the bowling to force some wins; a bowling attack that includes Simon Harmer, Jamie Porter and Peter Siddle.
