Essex vs Gloucestershire – OneDay Cup Match Preview (2025-08-24 11:00 GMT)

Venue: Chelmsford
Competition: OneDay Cup
Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time: 11:00 GMT

Match Overview

The OneDay Cup clash between Essex and Gloucestershire promises to be an intriguing encounter, especially considering the contrasting forms of the two sides. While Essex have found their rhythm with a three-match winning streak, Gloucestershire have been in a league of their own with six consecutive victories. This match not only tests the depth of Essex’s batting and bowling but also presents a golden opportunity for Gloucestershire to extend their dominance in the competition.

Team Form

Essex

Essex have shown a significant turnaround in the tournament, winning their last three games. However, their overall firepower and consistency remain questions marks when pitted against a red-hot team like Gloucestershire. The side is led by Tom Westley, who has been in excellent form, scoring 351 runs in six innings. The inclusion of experienced all-rounders like Luc Benkenstein and Simon Harmer adds balance to the team.

Predicted Playing XI (Essex):

1. Robin Das
2. Matt Critchley
3. Tom Westley (C)
4. Charlie Allison
5. Luc Benkenstein
6. Simon Harmer
7. Noah Thain
8. Shane Snater
9. Simon Fernandes (Wicketkeeper)
10. Jamal Richards
11. Jamie Porter

Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire are the current table-toppers and the form side of the competition. Their six-match winning streak is a testament to their depth and consistency. James Bracey has been sensational with the bat, scoring 431 runs in six innings, including a brilliant 186. The opening partnership of Bracey and Cameron Bancroft has been a key factor in their success, and their bowling attack, led by Josh Shaw, has been equally effective.

Predicted Playing XI (Gloucestershire):

1. James Bracey (Wicketkeeper)
2. Cameron Bancroft
3. Oliver Price
4. Ben Charlesworth
5. Jack Taylor (C)
6. Graeme van Buuren
7. Tommy Boorman
8. Daaryoush Ahmed
9. Josh Shaw
10. Craig Miles
11. Zaman Akhter

Head-to-Head Record

Essex hold a slight edge in the recent head-to-head meetings, having won 3 out of 5 matches. However, Gloucestershire’s current form could easily tip the scales in their favor.

Weather and Venue Conditions

The match will be played at Chelmsford, where the weather is expected to be overcast with only a 10% chance of rain. The pitch is generally good for batting, and teams batting first have dominated in recent matches at this venue.

Key Match-ups

• Tom Westley vs Josh Shaw: The Essex captain will look to continue his good form, but he’ll have to contend with Shaw, who has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the competition.
• James Bracey vs Simon Harmer: Bracey has been unstoppable at the top of the order, and Harmer will be tasked with curbing his momentum.
• Opening Partnerships: Both teams have strong openers. Bracey and Bancroft for Gloucestershire vs Robin Das and Matt Critchley for Essex.

Betting Insights

• Gloucestershire to win: 1.56
• Essex to win: 2.18
• Gloucestershire Opening Partnership to be Over 31.5: 1.83
• Essex Opening Partnership to be Under 24.5: 1.83
• Gloucestershire to score high before first dismissal: Strong bet due to Bracey and Bancroft’s consistency.

Match Prediction

Gloucestershire are the clear favorites in this match, given their dominant form and the strength of their batting and bowling units. Essex will need a near-perfect performance to pull off an upset, but the current form gap is significant.

Prediction:
Gloucestershire to win by a comfortable margin.

Man of the Match Candidates

• James Bracey (Gloucestershire) – Top run-scorer of the competition with a record-breaking century.
• Tom Westley (Essex) – Leading run-scorer for Essex and crucial to their batting line-up.
• Josh Shaw (Gloucestershire) – The most effective bowler in the squad and a key match-winner.

Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis as this exciting OneDay Cup encounter unfolds on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 11:00 GMT.