HAM vs ESS Dream11 Prediction, Match 18, T20 Blast Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Updates

Hampshire is set to face Essex in the 18th match of the T20 Blast 2026 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday, May 26

By Bhupender Sharma

Updated - 26 May 2026, 11:39 IST

1 Min Read

Table Of Contents

Match InfoPlaying XIC & VCTeamsWeather ReportTeam FormInjury NewsPitchAvoidable Players

Preview

In the 18th match of the T20 Blast 2026, Hampshire (HAM) will face Essex (ESS). Hampshire entered this tournament among the favourites after reaching the final in the previous session but they had a tough start to the tournament, losing their opening match against Somerset. Batting first they were bowled out for 158 runs, with James Vince scoring 58 runs. In reply, Somerset comfortably chased down the target in 16 overs and won by seven wickets.

Similarly, Essex also lost their first match by six wickets against Sussex. They batted first and scored 191 runs in 20 overs. In reply, Sussex chased down the target in 16 overs. Essex's bowling looked very weak in that match. Both teams faced each other twice last season, with the scoreline tied at  1-1. Hampshire added Tristan Stubbs to their squad in place of Delano Potgieter

Match Information

Hampshire vs Essex, Match 18

Vitality Blast, 26 May 2026, Tue, 11:30 PM IST ,County Ground

Broadcast

Sony Sports Network

Live Stream

Sony LIV

Weather Report

County Ground

Clear

24.9°C

57% (Humidity)

Team Form (Last 5 matches)

Hampshire

L
T
L
L
L

Essex

L
W
W
T
L

Players Stats in current Series

1

James Vince

HAM - bat

58 Runs

1 Match

2

Paul Walter

ESS - all

58 Runs

1 Match

3

Michael-Kyle Pepper

ESS - wk

52 Runs

1 Match

4

Luke Benkenstein

ESS - all

36 Runs

1 Match

1

Luke Benkenstein

ESS - all

200.00

1 Match

2

James Vince

HAM - bat

170.59

1 Match

3

Hilton Cartwright

HAM - bat

166.67

1 Match

4

Paul Walter

ESS - all

156.76

1 Match

5

Noah Thain

ESS - all

153.33

1 Match

6

Michael-Kyle Pepper

ESS - wk

152.94

1 Match

1

Scott Currie

HAM - bowl

2 Wkts

1 Match

2

Liam Dawson

HAM - all

1 Wkts

1 Match

3

Simon Harmer

ESS - all

1 Wkts

1 Match

4

Matt Critchley

ESS - all

1 Wkts

1 Match

1

Liam Dawson

HAM - all

6.25

1 Match

2

Scott Currie

HAM - bowl

6.75

1 Match

3

Simon Harmer

ESS - all

8.33

1 Match

4

Matt Critchley

ESS - all

8.75

1 Match

5

Luke Benkenstein

ESS - all

11.50

1 Match

Probable Playing XI

Hampshire

Toby Albert (wk), JM Vince (C), JJ Weatherley, HWR Cartwright, T Stubbs, Tom Prest, JK Fuller, LA Dawson, Scott Currie, M Lumsden, CP Wood

Bench : BC Brown, B Mayes, NRT Gubbins, Fletcha Middleton, Ali Orr, JS Lehmann, FS Organ, Codi Yusuf, D Potgieter, KJ Abbott, Sonny Baker, John Turner, BTJ Wheal, Eddie Jack, Dominic Kelly

Essex

MS Pepper (wk), PI Walter, MJJ Critchley, Luke Benkenstein, Wiaan Mulder, Noah Thain, SR Harmer (C), Simon Fernandes, CE Bennett, S Snater, Zaman Akhter

Bench : Jordan Cox, CW Allison, D Elgar, Robin Das, T Westley, Mackenzie Jones, Mitchell Killeen, JA Porter, Samuel Cook

Injury and availability news

(Will be added when there is an update)

Pitch Report

The Rose Bowl pitch is an ideal batting surface. It is flat with good, consistent bounce and provides early movement for seamers, especially with the new balls. Both teams prefer to bat first here

65%

Pace Bowling

35%

Spin Bowling

55%

Batting Pitch

180

Average Score

45%

Bowling Pitch

Player Picks

9
C

James Vince HAM | BAT

Hampshire captain James Vince is an excellent choice for the captaincy role for your fantasy team. He scored 58 runs in his last match.

7.5
VC

Paul Walter ESS | ALL

Paul Walter will be a great choice for vice-captaincy in this game. He is known for his solid technique and ability to play aggressive knocks. He smashed 58 runs in his last match.

8

Luke Benkenstein ESS | ALL

Luc Benkenstein stands out as a strong option for this match. With his spin bowling skills and reliable batting, he consistently contributes valuable runs to the team total. He scored 36 runs and also took a wicket in his last match

7

Michael-Kyle Pepper ESS | WK

Michael Pepper will be the best pick from the wicket-keeper section, having scored 52 runs off 34 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes against Sussex

8.5

Toby Albert HAM | BAT

Toby Albert is a talented batter who scored 23 runs at a strike rate of 135 in the last match. He will be a good option for the HAM vs ESS Dream11 prediction

8.5

Scott Currie HAM | BOWL

Scott Currie is a decent budget pick for this match. He picked up two wickets at an economy rate of 6.8 in the previous match.

Avoid Having These Players In Your Fantasy Sports Team

8.5

Ben Brown

HAM | WK

8

Ali Orr

HAM | BAT

Teams will be updated after Toss

Last Updated On - May 26 2026 11:39 AM

Players
11/11

Team 1

HAM

5 : 6

ESS

Credits Left
11/100

Head To Head
Michael-Kyle Pepper
VC

7

James Vince
C

9

Tristan Stubbs

8.5

Paul Walter

7.5

Liam Dawson

7

James Fuller

8.5

Luke Benkenstein

8

Matt Critchley

9

Wiaan Mulder

7

Simon Harmer

9

Scott Currie

8.5

Players
11/11

Team 1

HAM

6 : 5

ESS

Credits Left
8.5/100

Mega League
Toby Albert

8.5

Joe Weatherley

9.5

Tristan Stubbs
VC

8.5

Paul Walter
C

7.5

Liam Dawson

7

James Fuller

8.5

Matt Critchley

9

Wiaan Mulder

7

Simon Harmer

9

Scott Currie

8.5

Samuel Cook

8.5

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