In a stunning HAM vs ESS Vitality Blast encounter, Jordan Cox delivered a masterclass, smashing 139 not out from 60 balls to lead Essex to an incredible win and leave Hampshire Hawks sweating on qualification for the top four. It was the highest individual total in Men’s Vitality Blast this season and the second-highest in Essex T20 cricket history.
Jordan Cox’s Record Knock Dents Hampshire’s Qualification Chances
Pursuing a daunting target of 221, Essex hoped greatly on Jordan Cox, who played a scorching innings, achieving his first T20 hundred in only 47 balls. His 139* is now the second-highest T20 score by Essex, second only to Graham Napier’s legendary 157.
Even as Essex were already out of the race to the knockouts, this outcome leaves the quarter-final berth of Hampshire in jeopardy, depending on the outcome between Sussex Sharks and Kent Spitfires.
Hampshire Post Mammoth 220 Despite Missing Key Players
Hampshire Hawks, missing captain James Vince (illness) and opener Chris Lynn (hamstring), put on a strong 220/7 at Chelmsford. Stand-in captain Chris Wood entrusted opening duties to Tom Prest, who returned to form after a productive stint.
Top Hampshire Performers:
Toby Albert – 84 runs
Tom Prest – 41 off 24 balls
Hilton Cartwright – 56 off 23 balls
Preston and Albert took Hampshire to 53 in the powerplay, even as Mohammad Amir was so miserly that he gave away just 11 in his overs. Cartwright’s fireworks, four sixes in a row over the infield, spearheaded the middle-over explosion. The Albert-Cartwright partnership of 94 overwhelmed the innings.
Albert walked in aggressively, blasting five consecutive boundaries off Amir, before getting out going for a sixth.
Essex Fightback Spearheaded by Cox’s Brutality in the Chase
Chasing 221, Essex lost openers Paul Walter and Michael Pepper early but fought back with Cox in charge. He charged at the bowling with enterprising intent, smashing 19 from James Fuller, and then taking revenge on Benny Howell with overs costing 19 and 27 runs.
Wickets fell around him, Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Than, but Cox remained steadfast.
He brought Essex closer, and with 26 needed off the last 12 balls, Cox and Simon Harmer changed the script. Harmer was dropped above the rope before Cox hit a six over midwicket, with 11 left to get off the last over.
Cox wrapped up the victory with two consecutive sixes, providing a dramatic ending to an enthralling match.
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Vitality Blast 2025: Effect on Points Table After HAM vs ESS Encounter
The Hampshire Hawks are done with the group stage, and they are now positioned just outside of the top four. Their hopes now rely on the Sussex Sharks or Kent Spitfires putting enough distance between them to knock them out. The Essex Eagles have been out of contention for some time, but when they have nothing to play for, they’ve now won 3 of their last 4 games, which suggests they are finishing strong.
Final Word: Jordan Cox Steals the Show in Vitality Blast Thriller
This HAM vs ESS Vitality Blast match will be talked about for Jordan Cox’s blistering 139 not out, which shocked Hampshire Hawks and opened the quarter-final contest wide open. With the Vitality Blast 2025 group stage almost at an end, attention will now turn to how the other teams react to this dramatic turn of events.
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