Cricket

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has appointed Anthony McGrath as their new men's head coach on a five-year deal. McGrath, a former England all-rounder and Yorkshire academy graduate, returns to his home county after a successful stint as director of cricket at Essex.McGrath's coaching career began at Yorkshire following his retirement in 2013. He then moved to Essex in 2014 as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood. Under McGrath's guidance, Essex earned promotion to Division One in 2016 and won the County Championship title the following year.When Silverwood left to become England head coach, McGrath was promoted to head coach. He led Essex to a Championship and T20 Blast double in 2019, followed by the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. In the 2023 season, Essex finished second in Division One and were beaten finalists in the Blast.McGrath inherits a Yorkshire team that has returned to Division One after relegation in 2022. The club was also docked 48 points in the 2023 season for its handling of the racism scandal involving former player Azeem Rafiq.McGrath's remit will be to improve the performance and management of the men's first team. He will officially start his role on November 1."It is a great honor to be appointed Head Coach of Yorkshire Cricket's Men's team," McGrath said. "I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve."Essex captain Tom Westley praised McGrath as "one of the most influential figures I have come across during my career."Yorkshire's interim CEO, Sanjay Patel, said: "We're delighted to appoint Anthony as Head Coach. During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket."

Anthony McGrath has been appointed as Essex's new Director of Cricket, a newly created role that will oversee all aspects of the club's professional cricket operations. McGrath, who has been the men's head coach since 2018, will continue in that role while also taking on the broader responsibilities of the Director of Cricket position.The appointment is part of a management restructure at Essex following the resignation of chief executive John Stephenson earlier this month. McGrath's promotion follows that of Dan Feist, who has been promoted from operations manager to general manager.As Director of Cricket, McGrath will be responsible for developing and implementing the club's cricket strategy across all levels, including men's, women's, Academy, and Player Pathway. He will also work closely with the club's new women's head coach, who is yet to be appointed.Essex is one of the eight inaugural Tier 1 teams in the new women's competition that will launch in 2025. McGrath's appointment as Director of Cricket will ensure that the club has a clear and consistent approach to cricket across all its representative teams.McGrath has been a key figure in Essex's recent success, helping the club win the County Championship and Vitality Blast double in 2019, as well as the Bob Willis Cup in 2020. He has also been instrumental in the development of young players such as Dan Lawrence and Matt Critchley.McGrath said he was "honoured" to take up the new role. "The club gave me the chance to become a Head Coach for the first time in 2018 and the backing I've received has been fundamental to our success," he said. "I've got a trusted network of exceptional coaches, who always go above and beyond to deliver elite performance. This is now an opportunity for us to shape the strategic vision of cricket played by men, women, boys and girls in the county."Essex Chair, Anu Mohindru, said the club was "delighted" to appoint McGrath to the new role. "We have achieved sustained success during his tenure as Head Coach, including the memorable and as yet unmatched achievement of winning the Championship and the T20 in the same season in 2019," she said. "This will allow the Club to create a clear identity and playing style across all our representative teams, and I look forward to seeing every one of those teams continue to flourish under his expanded leadership."

Essex County Cricket Club has secured the services of South African all-rounder Eathan Bosch for the remainder of their Vitality T20 Blast campaign. This move comes after Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams was ruled out due to a knee injury.Sams, who was named the MVP of the Blast in 2023, suffered the injury during a match against Sussex. The injury requires surgery, forcing him to return home and miss the rest of the Blast."It's been great to come back here," Sams said. "My wife and I really enjoy coming back here, and we've made some really good friends with the guys and their partners.""It is what it is. I've been pretty lucky throughout my career with injuries, so I'll just have to go home now and recover as best as I can."Sams' absence is a significant blow to Essex, as he was a key contributor to their run to Finals Day last summer. He had taken seven wickets in six appearances this season.Bosch, 26, was initially brought in for four Championship games and has impressed with eight wickets at 24.12 from two appearances. He has experience playing in the SA20 for Pretoria Capitals.Essex are currently fourth in the South Group, with five wins from eight games. They will face defending champions Somerset at Chelmsford on Friday night.

Essex County Cricket Club has bolstered its bowling attack with the acquisition of South African all-rounder Eathan Bosch on a short-term deal. The 26-year-old will feature in four Vitality County Championship matches as Essex aims to maintain its title challenge.Bosch, a right-arm fast bowler, has impressed in South Africa's domestic circuit, claiming 92 wickets in 38 first-class appearances. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a valuable addition to Essex's seam attack."I'm thrilled to be here," said Bosch. "It was an easy decision to make, and I'm eager to contribute to the Eagles' success. I'm excited to showcase my skills and learn from the experienced players in the team."Essex Head Coach Anthony McGrath welcomed Bosch's arrival, highlighting his experience and versatility. "Eathan is a fantastic addition to our squad," said McGrath. "His ability to bowl in different conditions will enhance our attack. He will also push our other bowlers to perform at their best."Bosch's batting prowess is another asset for Essex. He has scored a century and seven fifties in first-class cricket, averaging 22.89. His all-round abilities make him a valuable asset in the lower order.Bosch's signing comes as Essex loaned seamer Ben Allison to Worcestershire for two Championship fixtures. McGrath explained that this move will provide Allison with valuable game time. "This is an excellent opportunity for Ben to gain experience," said McGrath. "He is a talented cricketer, and we believe this loan will benefit his development."Essex currently sits two points behind leaders Surrey in the County Championship standings. Bosch's arrival is expected to strengthen their title bid as they face Durham at Chelmsford in their next fixture.

Essex Cricket Club has secured Tier 1 status in the new professional structure for women's cricket, a significant milestone that opens up exciting opportunities for the club and the region. The decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recognizes Essex's commitment to developing women's cricket and its potential to become a leading force in the sport.The club's bid, supported by the University of Essex and cricket boards in neighboring counties, was chosen over other strong contenders in the South East of England. This achievement is a testament to Essex's vision and the strength of its partnership with the university, which will provide access to expertise in sports science and training facilities.Essex's home ground at Chelmsford, with a current capacity of approximately 5,000, is the smallest among the eight Tier 1 clubs. However, club chief executive John Stephenson believes the ground's intimate atmosphere will be an advantage in the short term as the club grows alongside the women's game.In the long term, Stephenson expects the Tier 1 status to accelerate the club's redevelopment plans. Consultation with local residents and Chelmsford City Council is underway, with the aim of doubling the ground's capacity to 10,000 by the time of the men's T20 World Cup in 2030."It will link into our development plans because what's held the club back has been the lack of investment in the ground," Stephenson said. "We're confident in our masterplan, and the commercial possibilities relating to the women's game are huge."The club's ambition was boosted by its successful hosting of an Ireland-Bangladesh ODI series last season, which drew enthusiastic support from the Bangladeshi community in East London. With the Women's World Cup due to be held in England in 2026, Stephenson is confident that Chelmsford can be ready to host more major matches in the near future."If we can get a spade in the ground next year, by 2030 the women's game will have grown exponentially, and hopefully we'll be ready to host a World Cup match for the men in 2030," he said.Essex's Tier 1 status is also a vindication of the club's efforts to confront allegations of historic racist abuse. The club has taken significant action to address these issues, and the ECB's decision recognizes the progress that has been made."It is pleasing that the ECB recognize that we have dealt with the situation that we were confronted with," Stephenson said. "Now the club is moving in a great direction, and that is particularly satisfying."

Essex's batting prowess remains unyielding as they amassed a formidable 421 for 6 on the opening day of their County Championship clash against Kent at Chelmsford. Dean Elgar, the former South African Test opener, led the charge with a composed 120, while Jordan Cox, a promising England prospect, contributed a fluent 67. Matt Critchley remained unbeaten on 103* at stumps, ensuring Essex's dominance.Elgar's innings was a masterclass in application and precision. He occupied the crease for 176 balls, anchoring Essex's innings with his trademark grit and determination. Cox, on the other hand, played with a youthful exuberance, showcasing his wide range of strokes and impressive footwork.The pair's 159-run partnership for the third wicket laid the foundation for Essex's imposing total. They weathered the early storm caused by Kent's seamers, who dismissed Tom Westley and Feroz Khushi cheaply. However, the introduction of Matt Parkinson's legspin proved to be a catalyst for Essex's acceleration.Cox took full advantage of Parkinson's loose deliveries, smashing him for 13 runs in his first over. Elgar, too, stepped up his scoring rate, driving the ball with authority. Cox's dismissal for 67 did little to halt Essex's momentum, as Critchley joined Elgar in a fluent partnership.Elgar's departure for 120 was a minor setback, but Paul Walter and Michael Pepper continued the onslaught. Walter struck three sixes before falling to Parkinson, while Pepper peppered the boundary with his powerful shots. Critchley, the epitome of composure, guided Essex through the second new ball and remained unbeaten at the close.Essex's batting performance was a testament to their depth and quality. They showed no signs of complacency after their opening-week victory at Trent Bridge, and their dominance suggests they will be a force to be reckoned with in this year's County Championship.