Against Hampshire Hawks in the 2025 T20 Blast, England Test contender Jordan Cox struck his maiden T20 century on Thursday (July 17), powering Essex Eagles to their highest-ever successful run chase.
The Hawks went into the match without their captain, James Vince, who missed out due to illness. Instead, Chris Wood captained the team. Meanwhile, Chris Lynn remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, prompting Tom Prest to move up the order and open alongside Toby Albert.
Batting first, the Hawks scored 220-6, with Albert top-scoring on 84 off 55 balls. Prest also contributed , making 41 off 24. Hilton Cartwright’s quick 56 off 23 ensured the visitors finished strongly.
Jordan Cox's first T20 century helps set new Essex record
Essex’s run chase was led by Cox's stunning 60-ball 139 not out. That is the second-highest score by an Essex player in the T20 Blast, only behind Graham Napier's 152* against Sussex in 2008. With 11 required off the last over, Essex comfortably got home as Cox hit two sixes off James Fuller, sealing victory with four wickets and four balls remaining.
Match 118, Essex vs Hampshire
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Cox’s maiden T20 century was studded with 11 fours and as many sixes. The number of sixes he hit is also the third-most in an innings by an Essex player, after Graham Napier (16 v Sussex, 2008) and Cameron Delport (14 v Surrey, 2019).
🎆 Watch the full highlights of Jordan Cox’s explosive innings as sixes rained down over Chelmsford!
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 17, 2025
▶️ https://t.co/cjOWQVOsus
🦅 #EaglesRise pic.twitter.com/MhsdJiNsF7
Their successful chase of 221 is now Essex's highest in T20 cricket. They surpassed their seven-year-old record of chasing 211 against Middlesex at Lord's. Dan Lawrence's pivotal knock of 86 off 46 balls was the highlight of that match.
Essex started this year's Blast campaign with eight defeats in their first nine matches, with one ending in a no-result due to rain. However, their form has improved in the last few matches, with three wins in four. Already out of the playoff race, Essex currently sit at the bottom of the South Group.
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