Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the Vitality Blast 2026 - Game 18 - Hampshire Hawks vs Essex Eagles, to be played on 26th May, 2026 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
Current Form:Hampshire Hawks:Continuing on from where they left off in the Championship, it seems like the Hampshire Hawks will have no respite this season, having suffered a heavy defeat against Somerset.
James Vince led the way with the bat as Delano Potgieter and Toby Albert chipped in, while the bowling attack saw just Scott Currie and Liam Dawson make an impact.
Essex Eagles:The Essex Eagles were off to a terrible start to their season, having been hammered all around the park for 192 runs in just sixteen overs by the Sussex Sharks.
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):Hampshire Hawks - 2 winEssex Eagles - 3 winsThe Eagles just about have the historical advantage over the Hampshire Hawks, but in the last three games, it has turned around with the Hawks winning two.
Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the Vitality Blast 2026 - Game 18 - Hampshire Hawks vs Essex Eagles, to be played on 26th May, 2026 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
Points Table
Match Details:
Date: Tuesday, 26th May 2026.
Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
Start Time: 6:00 PM GMT | 11:30 PM IST | 7:00 PM Local.
Current Form:
Hampshire Hawks:
Continuing on from where they left off in the Championship, it seems like the Hampshire Hawks will have no respite this season, having suffered a heavy defeat against Somerset.
James Vince led the way with the bat as Delano Potgieter and Toby Albert chipped in, while the bowling attack saw just Scott Currie and Liam Dawson make an impact.
Essex Eagles:
The Essex Eagles were off to a terrible start to their season, having been hammered all around the park for 192 runs in just sixteen overs by the Sussex Sharks.
Paul Walter and Michael Pepper were the leading batters for the Eagles with contributions from Noah Thain and Luc Benkenstein, there was nothing to write home about their bowling as everyone struggled.
Batting Stats T20
Players to Watch:
Hampshire Hawks:
James Vince – the captain was leading from the front once more for the Hawks, as James Vince scored 58 off just 34 balls having struck at 170.58 and looked in pristine touch.
Scott Currie – unlucky to not be capped by England yet, Scott Currie has been in wonderful form year-in and year-out, having tallied 77 wickets in the Blast so far at just 19.15 having struck once every 13.4 balls.
Liam Dawson – having retired from FC cricket just a week ago, Liam Dawson looked at his best with the white ball, bowling a frugal spell, going for just 1/25 in his four overs.
Essex Eagles:
Paul Walter – having found himself in a new role with the T20 side, Paul Walter took to opening the batting with a great deal of success as he scored 58 off 37.
Luc Benkenstein – the youngster was impressive with the bat, continuing on from last season, as he scored a rapid 36 off just 18 balls having struck at 200.
Michael Pepper - he has begun this season well and will hope to turn it into a big one, with Michael Pepper scoring a 34-ball 52 where he struck at 152.94.
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
Hampshire Hawks - 2 win
Essex Eagles - 3 wins
The Eagles just about have the historical advantage over the Hampshire Hawks, but in the last three games, it has turned around with the Hawks winning two.
Wicket Takers T20
Venue Stats - The Rose Bowl, Southampton (2023-2026):
Average 1st Innings Score:
2023 - 147.2
2024 - 158.4
2025 - 162.6
Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:
Fast Bowlers – Average – 24.77; Economy Rate – 8.64; Balls per Wicket – 17.1.
Spin Bowlers – Average – 28.09; Economy Rate – 8.03; Balls per Wicket – 20.9.
Wickets Percentage based on Innings:
Team Win Percentage when Batting First - 39.39%
Team Win Percentage when Batting Second - 60.61%
Wickets Per Innings:
First Innings – 6.85 wickets
Second Innings – 5.06 wickets
Wickets per Phase:
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.47 wickets
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.59 wickets
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.40 wickets
It has slowly become easier for the batters at the Rose Bowl with the average first innings score having gone up by 15 runs when you compare 2023 to 2025. There is a reason to bat second, with close to 61% games won by sides that do so.
The conditions on offer here have been more helpful for the fast bowlers, who average 24.77 runs per dismissal while striking once every 17.1, the spinners average 28.09 and have needed four more balls per dismissal.
Most 6's T20
Squads:
Hampshire Hawks:
James Vince ©, Toby Albert (WK), Ben Brown (WK), Nick Gubbins, Jack Lehmann, Ben Mayes, Fletcha Middleton, Felix Organ, Ali Orr, Tristan Stubbs, Joe Weatherley, Kyle Abbott, Sonny Baker, John Turner, Brad Wheal, Chris Wood, Hilton Cartwright, Scott Currie, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Eddie Jack, Dominic Kelly and Tom Prest.
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.
Match Prediction - Hampshire v Essex
Cricket Match Predictions - PrePlay
Who will win the toss? — Essex Eagles
Who will win the match? — Hampshire Hawks
Top Batter (Runs Scored) — James Vince (Hampshire Hawks), Michael Pepper (Essex Eagles)
Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Scott Currie (Hampshire Hawks), Sam Cook (Essex Eagles)
Most Sixes — James Vince (Hampshire Hawks), Michael Pepper (Essex Eagles)
Player of the Match — James Vince (Hampshire Hawks)
Team Scores Batting First — Hampshire Hawks 170+, Essex Eagles 160+
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*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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