Essex emerged victorious in a one-sided Metro Bank One Day Cup encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol, defeating Gloucestershire by 63 runs. Shane Snater’s incisive bowling played a pivotal role in Essex’s triumph.
Chasing a target of 263, Gloucestershire’s top order crumbled under Snater’s devastating new-ball burst. The seamer claimed three wickets in 13 deliveries, reducing the hosts to 28 for 3. Five top or middle-order batsmen fell in single figures, with Snater finishing with figures of 3 for 39 and Jamal Richards contributing 2 for 33.
Ajeet Singh Dale provided a glimmer of hope for Gloucestershire with a defiant 25-ball half-century, but his efforts were in vain as the home side was dismissed for 199 in 36.2 overs. Tom Smith also contributed 29 not out, but their late resistance came too late to salvage the match.
Earlier, Essex had posted a competitive 262 for 8, thanks to half-centuries from Luc Benkenstein and Robin Das. The duo shared an 88-run partnership to rescue Essex from a precarious 86 for 4. Das scored 52 from 71 deliveries, while Benkenstein raised a career-best 67 from 62 balls.
Gloucestershire seamer Dominic Goodman impressed with figures of 4 for 43, his best in List-A cricket. Singh Dale also claimed 2 for 50, while Smith took 2 for 51.
Essex’s victory was their first in the 50-over competition, while Gloucestershire suffered their second defeat in four days. The hosts now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages, while Essex will look to build on their momentum in upcoming matches against Leicestershire and Glamorgan.
