Essex County Cricket Club was founded in 1876 with the first class debut played against Leicester in 1895 at Leyton. The Club established its current home ground at Chelmsford in 1925. Over the years the County has had 6 Championship wins, 5 Pro40 wins and 3 FP Trophy wins but are yet to attain a T20 win despite being favourites in 2011.

While Percival A Perrin (known as Peter Perrin) retains the records for the most runs in an innings for Essex (343 n.o.) and the most runs in a match (351) both v Derbyshire in 1904, current Club Ambassador Graham A Gooch holds the record for the most runs in a season, (2559 in 1984) and most runs over his career for Essex (30,701); whilst also hitting a record 8,900 for England!

Current player Graham Napier also made the headlines in the T20 match v Sussex in 2008 with a world record 16 sixes. This innings also saw the most runs scored in boundaries in an individual Twenty20 innings (136 runs, scored as 10 fours, and 16 sixes) with his total of 152 being the highest individual score in a T20 in England. At the Championship game v Surrey in 2011, Napier equalled the record for most sixes scored in a first-class innings hitting another 16 sixes as part of a 130-ball 196 for Essex.

Leading bowlers at Essex over the years include Henry Pickett and the late Trevor E Bailey who both attained 10 wickets in an innings (10-32 v Leicester in 1895 and 10-90 v Lancashire in 1949 respectively). The most wickets in a match were bowled by Walter Mead v Hampshire in 1895 (17-119) while Thomas PB Smith holds the records for the most wickets in a season (172 in 1947) and the most wickets in a career (1610)

Essex has a history of producing top wicket keepers too. Former Chief Executive David East holds the record for the most victims in an innings: 8 v Somerset in 1985 while Brian Taylor achieved a staggering 1205 victims in his career. Current wicket keeper, James Foster is on 508 victims… and counting.

All Essex records and stats are on the Essex Archive

Peter Edwards Museum & Library

The permanent displays mark the progress of Essex over the years and, from time to time, special exhibitions are mounted so there is always something to interest the visitor.  The library contains a vast collection of cricket books – and not just about Essex.  This valuable resource is amongst the finest found at any cricket ground and people coming to the Museum and Library are welcome to browse at their leisure. Entrance is free but you can become a ‘Friend’ for a modest donation.

Opening Times

On all match days (apart from evening Twenty20 games) all day until shortly after the tea interval. We will be pleased to open at other times by prior appointment.   Admission is free.

Become a friend

For a minimum donation of £5 you can become a Friend of the Peter Edwards Museum and Library.  You will enjoy exclusive exhibition openings and priority in acquiring duplicate cricket books from our collection as well as twice-yearly newsletter.  Contact Ron Gaylor c/o The Peter Edwards Museum and Library, County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0PG or by email to rgaylor7@btinternet.com for information.