Check out all the Expert Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the Men’s Vitality Blast 2026 – Game 33 – Essex Eagles vs Derbyshire Falcons, to be played on 31st May, 2026 at Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford.
Points Table
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, 31st May 2026.
Venue: Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford.
Start Time: 3:00 PM GMT | 8:30 PM IST | 4:00 PM Local.
Current Team Form:
Essex Eagles:
The Essex Eagles were finally able to get their campaign off the mark, having managed to defeat the Kent Spitfires in their last game with a complete bowling performance.
Michael Pepper, Paul Walter and Luc Benkenstein have been their best batter so far this season, while the bowling has seen young Charlie Bennett do well.
Derbyshire Falcons:
After a slow start to their season, the Derbyshire Falcons have picked up pace, having won consecutive games, both by significant margins displaying dominance.
Aneurin Donald, Matthew Montgomery and Martin Andersson have been exceptional with the bat, while the bowling for the Falcons has seen Ben Aitchison, Martin Andersson and Jack Morley do well.
Batting Stats T20
Players to Watch:
Essex Eagles:
Michael Pepper – the wicket-keeper is their leading run-scorer this season, having made 141 runs in three games, where he averages 47 and has struck at 154.94, scoring two fifties.
Charlie Bennett – he has enjoyed his early foray into the Vitality Blast, with Charlie Bennett having picked up six wickets in eight overs, averaging 13.83 and has struck once every eight balls.
Paul Walter – opening the batting alongside Michael Pepper, the left-handed Paul Walter is the second leading run-scorer, making 109 runs in three games at 54.5 and has struck at 145.33.
Derbyshire Falcons:
Martin Andersson – he has been the player of the week this season, Andersson has scored 225 runs in four games at 112.5, three fifties while striking at 161.87 and has taken seven wickets in eight overs, averaging just nine with the ball.
Jack Morley – the pick of the Derbyshire Falcons bowlers so far this season, the left-arm orthodox bowler has taken eight wickets in four games, averaging 15.37 and has taken a wicket once every 10.5 balls.
Aneurin Donald – continuing on from the previous season, Aneurin Donald has been destructive at the top of the order, scoring 162 runs in his four games, averaging 40.5 and has struck at 245.45.
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
These two sides have only managed to face off against each other once in the history of the Vitality Blast where the Essex Eagles came up trumps by 34 runs.
Wicket Takers T20
Venue Stats – Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford (2023-2026):
Average 1st Innings Score:
2023 – 189.4
2024 – 184.1
2025 – 184.6
2026 – 191.0
Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:
Wickets Percentage based on Innings:
Wickets Per Innings:
Wickets per Phase:
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.50 wickets
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 3.22 wickets
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.08 wickets
A short venue with small boundaries, the average first innings score at the County Ground in Chelmsford has always hovered around in the mid 180s and this season seems no different. There is a significant advantage to the chasing side, with 65.22% of the games held here won by teams that bat second.
It has been the spin bowlers who have made merry on a ground with short boundaries, averaging 22.96 and have struck once every 15 balls, whereas the quicks have averaged 29.32 and have needed 18.3 balls per wicket.
Most 6’s T20
Squads:
Essex Eagles:
Simon Harmer ©, Michael Pepper (WK), Jordan Cox (WK), Charlie Allison, Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Robin Das, Simon Fernandes, Tom Westley, Charlie Bennett, James Porter, Sam Cook, Shane Snater, Luc Benkenstein, Mackenzie Jones, Matthew Critchley, Mitchell Killeen, Noah Thain, Wiaan Mulder and Zaman Akhter.
Derbyshire Falcons:
Wayne Madsen ©, Aneurin Donald (WK), Brooke Guest (WK), Harry Came, Mitchell Wagstaff, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Montgomery, Luis Reeec, Ross Whiteley, Anuj Dal, Martin Andersson, Yusaf bin Naeem, Harry Moore, Amrit Basra, Zak Chappell, Shoaib Bashir, Ben Aitchison, Jack Morley, Nick Potts, Pat Brown, Rory Haydon, Sufiyan Muqeem and Joe Hawkins.
Match Prediction – Essex v Derbyshire
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the toss? — Essex Eagles
Who will win the match? — Derbyshire Falcons
Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Michael Pepper (Essex Eagles), Aneurin Donald (Derbyshire Falcons)
Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Charlie Bennett (Essex Eagles), Jack Morley (Derbyshire Falcons)
Most Sixes — Michael Pepper (Essex Eagles), Aneurin Donald (Derbyshire Falcons)
Player of the Match — Aneurin Donald (Derbyshire Falcons)
Team Scores Batting First — Essex Eagles 190+, Derbyshire Falcons 190+
Live Cricket Streaming Vitality Blast 2026 – The live cricket streaming page which enables you to watch live cricket – Geo-restrictions apply
*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.
Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and Stats experts – Always remember, when the fun stops… STOP
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