Cox’s Heroics Crush Hampshire Hopes as Essex Snatch Thrilling Blast Win

Jordan Cox delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the 2025 Vitality Blast, hammering an unbeaten 139 off just 60 balls to lead Essex Eagles to a stunning four-wicket win over Hampshire Hawks — a result that leaves the Hawks anxiously awaiting other results to secure a top-four finish.

Chasing a mammoth 221 for victory at Chelmsford, Cox's maiden T20 century — and the second-highest T20 score by an Essex player — proved decisive in a high-octane finish, as the already-eliminated Eagles registered their third win in four matches.

With Hampshire having played their final group match, they now rely on Sussex Sharks and Kent Spitfires not winning their remaining games by significant margins if they are to cling onto a quarter-final berth.

Hampshire’s High-Scoring Innings Falls Short

The Hawks posted an imposing 220 for 6, led by a composed 84 from opener Toby Albert and a blistering 56 from Hilton Cartwright, whose 23-ball knock included five sixes. Tom Prest also chipped in with 41 off 24, rediscovering form after a poor run that saw him averaging just 6.5 prior to the match.

Prest and Albert gave the visitors a strong platform with 53 in the powerplay, despite the tight opening spell by Mohammad Amir, who conceded just 11 runs from his first three overs. The momentum surged in the back end of the innings as Hampshire added 134 in the final 10 overs.

Albert, who anchored the innings, changed gears after Cartwright's departure, smashing Amir for five consecutive boundaries before falling in a bid to end the over with a sixth. James Fuller added a late flourish with a 6-4-6-4 spree, but was caught in the final over.

Cox’s Carnage Steals the Show

In reply, Essex lost early wickets but Cox launched an assault that stunned Hampshire. After quickfire cameos from Paul Walter and Michael Pepper helped Essex off to a flyer, Cox took charge, unleashing an array of brutal strokes, including 19 off Fuller and punishing Howell for 46 runs across two overs.

Despite wickets falling around him — with Charlie Allison, Matt Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Than all dismissed — Cox remained unfazed. He reached his century off just 47 balls, keeping Essex in the hunt even as the asking rate climbed.

With 26 needed from the final two overs, Simon Harmer provided support and was fortunate to see a crucial chance tipped over the boundary. That set the stage for Cox, who launched a monstrous six over midwicket and then sealed the match with two emphatic straight sixes in the final over.

Cox’s unbeaten 139 surpassed Dan Lawrence's 120 against Glamorgan earlier in the competition and now only trails Graham Napier’s legendary 157 in Essex’s T20 history.

What's Next?

The defeat leaves Hampshire's fate out of their hands. Still in the top four, they will be forced to nervously monitor the results of Sussex and Kent. For Essex, while qualification is out of reach, they end their campaign on a high, with Cox’s unforgettable innings providing a silver lining in an otherwise mixed season.