3 Reasons Why Essex Crumbled Against Middlesex in Vitality Blast 2025

Essex exploded from the off and looked sharp in the early overs against Middlesex at Lord’s. The likes of Michael Pepper smashing a rapid 25 off 16 balls and Dean Elgar running off a quick 20 off 15 balls, they were cruising at 52 for 1 after five overs. It looked like Essex was sitting comfortably for just a chase of 162. A thrilling end to the match left them as losers by just a single run, with Essex stunned and a nail-biting Knightsbridge box crowd. So what went wrong for Essex during such a close thriller? 

Momentum Lost After a Promising Start

The most significant culprit of all was Essex’s inability to reinforce their momentum after getting off to a great start. Pepper and Elgar provided a solid platform, but after the wickets began to tumble, there was a clear loss of momentum in the chase. Paul Walter’s 30 off 22 balls attempted to breathe some life into their innings, but it was too little, too late.

In key moments, the middle-order failed to convert starts into big runs – Jordan Cox (23) and Luc Benkenstein (20) fell quickly and inexplicably when the chase started to become more challenging. Singles and dot balls began to creep into the innings, and the required run-rate crept up without securing those much-needed boundaries. A middle-order collapse in a chase this tight is akin to dropping the ball on the goal line – disappointing and ultimately costly.

Middlesex’s Bowling Brace That Turned the Tide

Secondly, Middlesex’s bowlers delivered critical breakthroughs exactly at the time when Essex looked comfortable, with Zafar Gohar and Tom Helm being the standout difference-makers. Gohar’s calm and measured 4-over spell removed two key wickets and produced an impressive economy of only 5 runs per over that strangled Essex’s flow. 

Helm was even more effective, claiming two wickets for just 31 runs and bowling at key points to help break partnerships and keep the momentum on the Middlesex side of the ledger. Their sharp bowling was ultimately a game changer that tightened the screws and brought Essex’s chase to a crawl that forced mistakes. You could say that Gohar and Helm were the unsung heroes who refused to let Essex’s chase gain any breathing room.

The Nerve-Shredding Finish That Fell Short

Essex’s inability to cope with pressure ultimately became its undoing. While they needed around 35 in the last five overs, Essex buckled under pressure. Extras went up to 13 – mostly wides (11 wides), which is typically a sign of nerves, sloppy bowing, but we also didn’t execute these opportunities. It has to be said that we were losing wickets at the wrong time, and never managed to get a partnership towards the latter stages of our innings. 

Charlie Allison and Noah Thain got some quick late runs, but didn’t have the time to make the score unassailable. We had to rely on several people in our second chase of the innings rather than chasing the score as a collective -too much reliance on one or two people, and that just fizzled out the chase into death overs. This is a textbook case of not having the flair and plan to finish off a close match.

Ultimately, Essex’s vibrant start to the game was undone by a mid-order wobble, a stellar spell from Middlesex’s key players, and a nervy finish that saw victory slip away by a single run. In games this close, margins are cruel, and unfortunately, Essex didn’t have the resolve in the death. It will hurt, but it is a reminder that in Vitality Blast cricket, every ball counts—and today, Middlesex held on a little tighter.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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