After three rain ruined days, the match between Middlesex and Worcestershire seemed to be heading towards a bore draw. However, after an early morning conversation between the captains, and a rather generous declaration from Worcs captain Mitchell, Middlesex needed 10 wickets in a day to win the game, and did so with a few hours to spare, finally wrapping up the final wicket as Worcestershire were all out for 150, with Middlesex taking the win by 132 runs.
With a contrived double declaration overnight meaning Worcestershire needed 283 runs for victory from the 96 overs in the day, it was always going to be a tough ask, and questions will need to be asked of the Worcestershire captain, as it always seemed a ridiculously unlikely scenario to see his team win. Credit must go to Rogers for somehow getting Mitchell to agree to the target, as only a Middlesex win was ever likely - that was proved as Worcs fell one ball short of half way to surviving the day, and 132 runs short of actually winning the game.
Anyway, Middlesex pick up their second win of the season, and move into fourth spot in the table. Relegation? Pah!
So what have we learned from the game? Well, first and foremost, Joe Denly is some player. Coming in after a decent sized partnership between Robson and Strauss (Robbo made 50, Strauss fell one run short of his half-century), Denly looked incredibly composed at the crease, and his first Middlesex century (an unbeaten 134 - incidentally just two runs more than the eventual margin of victory, so it could quite literally be called a "match-winning innings") included 19 fours and a six - a sign that he is more than capable of sending the ball to the boundary. A different innings to his previous 'big' score for Middlesex, where he gutsed out a seventy-odd against Vernon Philander and Somerset , Denly was able to take advantage of some less than dangerous bowling, and push Middlesex up to 327/7 declared - what proved to be a winning score. Alan Richardson aside, Worcs' bowling attack looked very ordinary, and allied to an equally average batting performance, it's easy to see why many are tipping them to go down this year. You feel Richardson's going to have to have yet another magical season with the ball if they're to get anywhere in Division One this summer.
Equally, however, while the top order thrived, the middle order failed, yet again. 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Rogers, Malan, Dexter and Simpson only contributed 23 runs between them, and that middle-order collapse has become a part of every game this year. While we've often been bailed out by the strong top order, there are question marks over some of these players, and it will be interesting to see who scores heavily for the seconds (if they're able to get out on the pitch) over the next few weeks, as they may well be called into action to rejuvinate an ailing Middlesex middle. Runs for Berg were handy after a torrid start to the season with the bat for him (he now averages 8 with the blade), and of course, the Lambeth Lara remained unbeaten as Middlesex declared, with Murtagh's average now second in the list this year for Middlesex, with 32.
However, as well as Middlesex batted, the game was won with the ball. After taking two Worcs wickets last night, they came back this morning to see Worcestershire had started a new innings, and then took the ten wickets to win for just 150. Middlesex's bowling figures so far this year are excellent, with Roland-Jones leading the way with 16 Championship wickets at an incredible return of 13. He took four wickets in the game, as did Murtagh, with Finn and Berg both chipping in with two apiece. Yet again Middlesex haven't needed a spinner, and given the early season conditions being incredibly conducive for the fast bowlers, chances are Ollie Rayner may be waiting a while to get a go again in four day cricket. Corey Collymore (to my surprise) missed out in this game, and given the form of the four seamers, and with Finn likely to be available for next week's game at Trent Bridge against Nottingham, Corey may miss out once more. There are some faint murmerings of the West Indies calling Corey up for their test side for the games against England due to the visa problems of their touring squad, which would see the odd situation of Corey getting into the West Indies team but not Middlesex's! (Although I do have it on fairly good authority that Corey will not be called for, and even if he was, he would be unlikely to accept, given that this would end his hopes of playing for Middlesex as a Kolpak).
The big story from the game however was the declaration, and while other counties might sniff at an incredibly generous offer from Mitchell, it can't be denied that Middlesex played winning cricket throughout the game. Our 327/7 played 195/12, and it would have been unfair had rain denied us the chance to take the win, and the valuable 16 points. The fact that 16 points is on offer for the win (as opposed for the 3 for the draw) would have tempted Mitchell into his decision, as a draw is almost meaningless compared to the vast rewards given by a win. However, Worcestershire supporters will bemoan the fact that a more even declaration was not sought by Mitchell, as it was a very one-sided decision, and I'm sure Rogers would have accepted a 260 chase in 60 overs, rather than 283 in 96, which completely took the draw out of the equation, and made the Worcs chase incredibly unlikely. Still, Middlesex won't mind, and will take a big win which could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Up tomorrow is the start of the CB40 with a game against Gloucestershire, and we wait with baited breath the squad for that, just to see in what direction the side will be going. Will bring you news of that as and when!
Come on the Middle!
Showing posts with label Gareth Berg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gareth Berg. Show all posts
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Squad named for Durham game...
... and interestingly, after this news earlier this afternoon, Neil Dexter's been named in the squad (which makes my assumption that he wouldn't be look very foolish, and confirms that I know absolutely nothing about what's really going on at Middlesex!).
The 13 man squad itself is:
Chris Rogers (c)
Gareth Berg
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Neil Dexter
Steven Finn
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
Ollie Rayner
Sam Robson
Toby Roland-Jones
John Simpson (wk)
Andrew Strauss
Corey Collymore is missing out (as predicted, I had to get something right eventually) as part of the 'rotation policy', but chances are he wouldn't have made the team either way. Gareth Berg has been struggling with a chest infection, so Steven Crook is in as cover for him, but we'll find out tomorrow morning whether he's fit to play.
From what I see, the only selection dilemma is between Neil Dexter and Ollie Rayner. We will go with four seamers (as usual), with either Crook or Berg (fitness depending) joining Murtagh, Roland-Jones and Finn, with Strauss coming into the top order. So the question is whether they go with the extra batsman (Dex) or the spinner (Rayner)?
There's a case for leaving out both. The ball hasn't spun much in this very early part of the season, and seeing as Ollie was only required to bowl six overs against Surrey, it would make sense to strengthen the batting, which has been rather shaky thus far. Conversely, with Dexter having handed over the captaincy, will he be right mentally to suddenly go and make runs? Or would the release of not being required to captain take the pressure of his shoulders and allow him to return to form?
It's a tough one, but I reckon that they'll go with Dexter. Having named him in the squad, they're going to pick him (otherwise they'd have let him slip away and play for the 2nds) so as such he may get a game. Plus, the batting needs all the strength it can get, and as handy as Ollie Rayner is, I think we'd all prefer the safety-net of Dexter at six with Simpson at seven and Berg at 8.
Whatever way Middlesex go, it'll be a tough game, as Durham are a very good team. However, they did lose their only game of the season last week to Notts, and after Sunday morning, we'll have a lot of momentum to take into the game, which will hopefully help us massively. With overcast conditions forecast, and the pitches playing quite tough so far, the toss will be massive, especially considering the damage Durham's formidable bowling attack could do if asked to field first. Hopefully Chris Roger's tossing (careful) will be better than Dexy's (0 from 2 this year) and he can help Middlesex to a second win in a row. Come on the Middle!
The 13 man squad itself is:
Chris Rogers (c)
Gareth Berg
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Neil Dexter
Steven Finn
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
Ollie Rayner
Sam Robson
Toby Roland-Jones
John Simpson (wk)
Andrew Strauss
Corey Collymore is missing out (as predicted, I had to get something right eventually) as part of the 'rotation policy', but chances are he wouldn't have made the team either way. Gareth Berg has been struggling with a chest infection, so Steven Crook is in as cover for him, but we'll find out tomorrow morning whether he's fit to play.
From what I see, the only selection dilemma is between Neil Dexter and Ollie Rayner. We will go with four seamers (as usual), with either Crook or Berg (fitness depending) joining Murtagh, Roland-Jones and Finn, with Strauss coming into the top order. So the question is whether they go with the extra batsman (Dex) or the spinner (Rayner)?
There's a case for leaving out both. The ball hasn't spun much in this very early part of the season, and seeing as Ollie was only required to bowl six overs against Surrey, it would make sense to strengthen the batting, which has been rather shaky thus far. Conversely, with Dexter having handed over the captaincy, will he be right mentally to suddenly go and make runs? Or would the release of not being required to captain take the pressure of his shoulders and allow him to return to form?
It's a tough one, but I reckon that they'll go with Dexter. Having named him in the squad, they're going to pick him (otherwise they'd have let him slip away and play for the 2nds) so as such he may get a game. Plus, the batting needs all the strength it can get, and as handy as Ollie Rayner is, I think we'd all prefer the safety-net of Dexter at six with Simpson at seven and Berg at 8.
Whatever way Middlesex go, it'll be a tough game, as Durham are a very good team. However, they did lose their only game of the season last week to Notts, and after Sunday morning, we'll have a lot of momentum to take into the game, which will hopefully help us massively. With overcast conditions forecast, and the pitches playing quite tough so far, the toss will be massive, especially considering the damage Durham's formidable bowling attack could do if asked to field first. Hopefully Chris Roger's tossing (careful) will be better than Dexy's (0 from 2 this year) and he can help Middlesex to a second win in a row. Come on the Middle!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Somerset v Middlesex squads announced
So here we are, the first official squad of the season. And this is it - the 13 men chosen to valiantly represent Middlesex against Somerset at Taunton in the four day game starting tomorrow...
Neil Dexter (captain)
Gareth Berg
Corey Collymore
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
Ollie Rayner
Sam Robson
Chris Rogers
Toby Roland-Jones
John Simpson
It's pretty much as expected. In fact, it's totally as expected. The twelve who took on Durham uni at the weekend are all selected, with Joe Denly added to the squad after recovering from his injury. While he wasn't fit enough to play in the uni game, he did have a bat in the abandoned game against Northampton yesterday (a game that completely flew under my radar), so I presume he's passed his fitness test and will play, probably coming in for Adam London at the top of the order.
The only other dilemma is how the bowlers will shape up. Toby Roland-Jones and Steven Crook have both had very good pre-seasons, and while I thought Corey Collymore would have been first choice, the fact that both TRJ and the Crooky Monster were picked ahead of him for the uni game suggests that they're higher up in Gus' pecking order at the moment. Gareth Berg, who didn't bowl in that game, has confirmed (via the ever reliable source of Twitter) that he's "definitely" fit to bowl, which helps the balance of the team no end, and allows us to go in with four seamers.
As the days have ticked down to this game I have become more and more pessimistic, as Somerset have a ridiculously strong batting order (Trescothick, Kieswetter, Compton, Hildreth, Buttler), and while they'll miss Alfonso Thomas at the IPL, they're being boosted by the arrival of Vernon Philander, who as we know, has had a decent start to his test career. The forecast for Taunton suggests it will be fairly overcast on all four days, with a possibility of rain on Thursday, so hopefully we'll be able to get the season off and running with a positive result. And hopefully we won't be praying for rain on Sunday afternoon!
The wait is over, we're finally back in Division One, and now let's stay there!
Neil Dexter (captain)
Gareth Berg
Corey Collymore
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
Ollie Rayner
Sam Robson
Chris Rogers
Toby Roland-Jones
John Simpson
It's pretty much as expected. In fact, it's totally as expected. The twelve who took on Durham uni at the weekend are all selected, with Joe Denly added to the squad after recovering from his injury. While he wasn't fit enough to play in the uni game, he did have a bat in the abandoned game against Northampton yesterday (a game that completely flew under my radar), so I presume he's passed his fitness test and will play, probably coming in for Adam London at the top of the order.
The only other dilemma is how the bowlers will shape up. Toby Roland-Jones and Steven Crook have both had very good pre-seasons, and while I thought Corey Collymore would have been first choice, the fact that both TRJ and the Crooky Monster were picked ahead of him for the uni game suggests that they're higher up in Gus' pecking order at the moment. Gareth Berg, who didn't bowl in that game, has confirmed (via the ever reliable source of Twitter) that he's "definitely" fit to bowl, which helps the balance of the team no end, and allows us to go in with four seamers.
As the days have ticked down to this game I have become more and more pessimistic, as Somerset have a ridiculously strong batting order (Trescothick, Kieswetter, Compton, Hildreth, Buttler), and while they'll miss Alfonso Thomas at the IPL, they're being boosted by the arrival of Vernon Philander, who as we know, has had a decent start to his test career. The forecast for Taunton suggests it will be fairly overcast on all four days, with a possibility of rain on Thursday, so hopefully we'll be able to get the season off and running with a positive result. And hopefully we won't be praying for rain on Sunday afternoon!
The wait is over, we're finally back in Division One, and now let's stay there!
Monday, 2 April 2012
Middlesex v Durham MCCU round-up
So the first first-class game of Middlesex's season has been played, and has ended in a draw, with neither side able to force a victory in the three days of the game. Merchant Taylor's School, Britain's newest first class ground was the scene for another record as Sam Robson became the first ever March centurion in this country - a statistical quirk caused by the early start of the season, but a very nice one at that.
Middlesex won the toss and had a bat, with the only change to the side that I thought being Steven Crook playing ahead of Corey Collymore. Was surprised that Corey wasn't given a go seeing as he's likely to be first choice, and that he hasn't had millions of overs under his belt in pre-season, but there you go! Maybe he's further down the pecking order than I thought. The other thing I got wrong was that Adam London opened alongside Robson - a position he may well play in at Taunton, but he'll miss out if Joe Denly is passed fit.
Anyway, with the bat first innings, Middlesex stuck up 368/9 declared, with the highlight being a fifth first class ton for Sam Robson at the top of the order. Dawid Malan continued his good pre-season with a century, and Gareth Bergarelli also passed fifty, to go with his 100* in the intra-squad friendly last week. More worrying was Rogers (in his first knock in England since September) and Dexter getting blobs, but a half-century for Dexy in the second innings showed he's in some sort of form, and seeing as Rogers has come straight out of the Australian domestic season (where it was only a couple of weeks ago he made 124 at the WACA against Western Australia), and given the class of the man, I don't think there are any issues for him going into the first game.
Indeed, of the 6 batsmen, all of them seem in relatively good form, with Simpson making an unbeaten 49 in the second innings as well. Indeed, Tim Murtagh's carried his good form with the bat from last year (well, his final knock of the year at Grace Road) with a 26 ball 31. He does take his batting seriously (ish) and it would be good to see him make a few runs down the order this year.
With the ball, first innings Middlesex skittled the students for 124, with Murtagh taking a wicket in the first over, followed by 2-50 for TRJ, 2-18 for Rayner and eye-catchingly 4-16 for Steven Crook. I wouldn't have had Crook down as first choice ahead of this game, but after an impressive pre-season on the back of an excellent breakthrough summer last year, it's certainly given Gus something to think about when he sits down to name his first Championship team of the year on Wednesday evening. Crook really does offer that extra yard of pace to Murtagh, Roland-Jones, and even Collymore, and that could give him the edge when it comes to selection.
The only concern on the bowling front is the mysterious absence of Gareth Berg - nothing official from the club but the word on the street (Twitter) says that Bergy 'has a slight niggle but should be OK to bowl on Thursday'. Have no idea how correct this is, but if I hear anything else then I'll let you know!
After having another bat, Dexter declared overnight setting Durham an unlikely 386 to win, and they never really went after it, preferring to bat out the day to save the draw, which annoyingly they did quite comfortably. The experts say that the difference between Division One and Division Two is the quality of the batting, and it might be slightly worrying if we're only able to take three wickets in a day - especially if those players are only students. Murts, TRJ and Rayner took one apiece as Durham ended at 199/3 (from 83 overs), and hands were shaken at 5 to confirm the draw.
It's a shame that we couldn't force a win, but it's best that we get those annoying days where teams hang on against us out of the way at this stage of the season, rather than when it really matters. The team now head on to Taunton, where the fun really starts!
Speaking of Somerset, they took on Cardiff Uni, and their batsmen (Nick Compton and James Hildreth at least) look in ominous form, with both picking up big double centuries as they combined for a mammoth 450 run partnership. I'm all for games between counties and universities, but these shouldn't really hold first class status, with both Compton and Hildreth's averages taking a very handy boost. Either way, they're both in good nick ahead of the game starting Thursday, and of course, if we didn't know already, their partnership shows just how hard it is to take wickets at Taunton, and the importance of knuckling down once you're set. The ideal plan for the game is to bat first, put on an imposing total, and hope to bowl them out twice in the four days, but the smart money could well be on the draw. If it's any consolation, Somerset's bowlers didn't fare a great deal better, with Cardiff Uni declaring twice as that game also ebbed into a bore draw.
With the end of this game is the end of pre-season - and the start of the season proper! Am going down to Taunton early on Thursday morning, and am already very excited to see Middlesex take their bow in the first division. Come on the Middle!
Middlesex won the toss and had a bat, with the only change to the side that I thought being Steven Crook playing ahead of Corey Collymore. Was surprised that Corey wasn't given a go seeing as he's likely to be first choice, and that he hasn't had millions of overs under his belt in pre-season, but there you go! Maybe he's further down the pecking order than I thought. The other thing I got wrong was that Adam London opened alongside Robson - a position he may well play in at Taunton, but he'll miss out if Joe Denly is passed fit.
Anyway, with the bat first innings, Middlesex stuck up 368/9 declared, with the highlight being a fifth first class ton for Sam Robson at the top of the order. Dawid Malan continued his good pre-season with a century, and Gareth Bergarelli also passed fifty, to go with his 100* in the intra-squad friendly last week. More worrying was Rogers (in his first knock in England since September) and Dexter getting blobs, but a half-century for Dexy in the second innings showed he's in some sort of form, and seeing as Rogers has come straight out of the Australian domestic season (where it was only a couple of weeks ago he made 124 at the WACA against Western Australia), and given the class of the man, I don't think there are any issues for him going into the first game.
Indeed, of the 6 batsmen, all of them seem in relatively good form, with Simpson making an unbeaten 49 in the second innings as well. Indeed, Tim Murtagh's carried his good form with the bat from last year (well, his final knock of the year at Grace Road) with a 26 ball 31. He does take his batting seriously (ish) and it would be good to see him make a few runs down the order this year.
With the ball, first innings Middlesex skittled the students for 124, with Murtagh taking a wicket in the first over, followed by 2-50 for TRJ, 2-18 for Rayner and eye-catchingly 4-16 for Steven Crook. I wouldn't have had Crook down as first choice ahead of this game, but after an impressive pre-season on the back of an excellent breakthrough summer last year, it's certainly given Gus something to think about when he sits down to name his first Championship team of the year on Wednesday evening. Crook really does offer that extra yard of pace to Murtagh, Roland-Jones, and even Collymore, and that could give him the edge when it comes to selection.
The only concern on the bowling front is the mysterious absence of Gareth Berg - nothing official from the club but the word on the street (Twitter) says that Bergy 'has a slight niggle but should be OK to bowl on Thursday'. Have no idea how correct this is, but if I hear anything else then I'll let you know!
After having another bat, Dexter declared overnight setting Durham an unlikely 386 to win, and they never really went after it, preferring to bat out the day to save the draw, which annoyingly they did quite comfortably. The experts say that the difference between Division One and Division Two is the quality of the batting, and it might be slightly worrying if we're only able to take three wickets in a day - especially if those players are only students. Murts, TRJ and Rayner took one apiece as Durham ended at 199/3 (from 83 overs), and hands were shaken at 5 to confirm the draw.
It's a shame that we couldn't force a win, but it's best that we get those annoying days where teams hang on against us out of the way at this stage of the season, rather than when it really matters. The team now head on to Taunton, where the fun really starts!
Speaking of Somerset, they took on Cardiff Uni, and their batsmen (Nick Compton and James Hildreth at least) look in ominous form, with both picking up big double centuries as they combined for a mammoth 450 run partnership. I'm all for games between counties and universities, but these shouldn't really hold first class status, with both Compton and Hildreth's averages taking a very handy boost. Either way, they're both in good nick ahead of the game starting Thursday, and of course, if we didn't know already, their partnership shows just how hard it is to take wickets at Taunton, and the importance of knuckling down once you're set. The ideal plan for the game is to bat first, put on an imposing total, and hope to bowl them out twice in the four days, but the smart money could well be on the draw. If it's any consolation, Somerset's bowlers didn't fare a great deal better, with Cardiff Uni declaring twice as that game also ebbed into a bore draw.
With the end of this game is the end of pre-season - and the start of the season proper! Am going down to Taunton early on Thursday morning, and am already very excited to see Middlesex take their bow in the first division. Come on the Middle!
Friday, 17 February 2012
Middlesex Statement on Murtagh for Ireland
After a fair bit of speculation and rumour-mongering (mostly by me), Middlesex have finally broken their silence about Tim Murtagh and his chances of playing for Ireland, in this statement from Gus here.
There isn't too much more said than we already know (which you will already know having read my earlier blog about this) - that Tim has applied for Irish citizenship, and recieved his Irish passport, which means he is eligible to play for Ireland. However, the club have confirmed that they will allow Tim to play in any game for Ireland, regardless of his Middlesex commitments, with Gus saying "it would be wrong for Middlesex to deprive a player from playing".
In terms of Middlesex games that Tim would potentially miss, as it stands Ireland only have one confirmed match, against Australia on the 23rd June, which means Tim would likely miss the away Sussex T20 the night before. The Middlesex statement also alludes to two as yet unconfirmed Afghanistan games, but these dates are yet to be nailed down.
Other than that, it should be business as usual for Tim. Gus talks about how Tim's played a full part in pre-season training and will be flying off to Cape Town with the team on Monday as planned. Ireland do have a World T20 qualifying tournament in March (which bizarrely Gareth Berg will be taking part in as an Italian player), but Tim wasn't picked in the Irish squad for that tournament, although he could yet be called up as a replacement.
That's pretty much all I know on the story - if I hear anything new I'll whack that up as soon as.
There isn't too much more said than we already know (which you will already know having read my earlier blog about this) - that Tim has applied for Irish citizenship, and recieved his Irish passport, which means he is eligible to play for Ireland. However, the club have confirmed that they will allow Tim to play in any game for Ireland, regardless of his Middlesex commitments, with Gus saying "it would be wrong for Middlesex to deprive a player from playing".
In terms of Middlesex games that Tim would potentially miss, as it stands Ireland only have one confirmed match, against Australia on the 23rd June, which means Tim would likely miss the away Sussex T20 the night before. The Middlesex statement also alludes to two as yet unconfirmed Afghanistan games, but these dates are yet to be nailed down.
Other than that, it should be business as usual for Tim. Gus talks about how Tim's played a full part in pre-season training and will be flying off to Cape Town with the team on Monday as planned. Ireland do have a World T20 qualifying tournament in March (which bizarrely Gareth Berg will be taking part in as an Italian player), but Tim wasn't picked in the Irish squad for that tournament, although he could yet be called up as a replacement.
That's pretty much all I know on the story - if I hear anything new I'll whack that up as soon as.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Pre-Season Thoughts: County Championship
As alluded to earlier, I'm going to go a little bit more in-depth in my thoughts about what the season might hold. Of course, we're still a good few months away from the season starting, and a lot could change (mainly my thoughts) but seeing as I've started this blog so early I might as well put something up on it.
I'll start off with the County Championship, where Middlesex are a Division One club. (It still feels good to say that). After last year's promotion it's goodbye Wantage Road and The County Ground, Derby and hello Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and the rest. Things are going to be a little different to the last few years, namely in the quality of opposition we'll be up against. Many pundits have spoken of the widening gap between Divisions One and Two, and while there was a feeling that Middlesex were a big fish in the small pond of the second division, we're suddenly back to being mere plankton in the ocean (slight exaggeration). But the point is still the same, we're going to be up against far better teams than the previous few years in the basement; teams with a lot of international and high-level experience packed with players who are capable of some outstanding performances.
But are Middlesex good enough to take them on? Of course they are.
Middlesex were comfortably the best team in Division Two all season long, and but for some dodgy weather would have had the title wrapped up long before that final nervy day. This was a team that bowled Essex out twice in a day. This was a team that decimated the runners-up of the division home and away in comprehensive wins. This was a team that handed out the first ever 24-0 defeat in the history of the county championship. Middlesex were superb last year, and with the signings that have been made so far, have only got stronger.
In terms of the batting, Middlesex's line-up could go toe-to-toe with any in the country. The expected top five have it all. Sam Robson, Joe Denly and Chris Rogers will make up perhaps the most solid top three going, with support from Dawid Malan and captain Neil Dexter. In at six will be the still-improving John Simpson, arguably the player of the year. Add to that the all-round talents of Gareth Berg and Ollie Rayner to come, and even against the best attacks on the greenest pitches, chances are Middlesex will make a lot of runs. Taking on the better bowlers of Division One will be a challenge to the batsmen, but one they are all certainly good enough to take. There geniunely isn't a weak link in that line-up, something you can't say about quite a few of the teams around. And that isn't even accounting for the potential inclusion of England captain Andrew Strauss, or even Eoin Morgan (although that is unlikely).
The bowling stocks too are strong. While the change from the Tiflex to the Duke may not help Tim Murtagh, we all know he's good enough to take plenty of wickets when it matters. And the seam-friendly ball will certainly help Corey Collymore, who was unlucky to only pick up 49 wickets in 2011, and if he can remain fit, Toby Roland-Jones, who is a real star in the making. Everyone at Middlesex knows what Gareth Berg can do with bat and ball, and this could be the year that he shows the world just how good he is. And then there's Steven Finn, who has proven his class on every stage, and there will be plenty of Division One batsmen praying that he gets a prolonged run in the England team.
Perhaps the only concern might be spin, as neither Ollie Rayner or Tom Smith have proven themselves consistently with the ball in their relatively short first class careers. Given his extra batting ability, it's likely that Rayner will be given the nod to start off with, and he'll want to get off to a good start at his now permanent home. However, we did see the spinners used more in a containing role last year as the seamers did the damage, and as a naturally more defensive spinner, this will suit Ollie down the the ground (which is a long way for him, because he is very tall).
I'm painting an optimistic view of Middlesex's team, because I know just how strong it is. Of course, I don't want to get too ahead of myself and start talking us up to win it (although two leagues in two years would be nice), as taking on the likes of Lancashire, Durham, Notts and Somerset will be tough, and there will be games where we get battered for four days and get nothing. But, there are teams in this division that we know we are as good, if not better than. Being realistic, survival is the name of the game this year, and staying up by one point will be brilliant, but we're certainly good enough to cause a couple of upsets along the way.
Come on the Middle!
I'll start off with the County Championship, where Middlesex are a Division One club. (It still feels good to say that). After last year's promotion it's goodbye Wantage Road and The County Ground, Derby and hello Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and the rest. Things are going to be a little different to the last few years, namely in the quality of opposition we'll be up against. Many pundits have spoken of the widening gap between Divisions One and Two, and while there was a feeling that Middlesex were a big fish in the small pond of the second division, we're suddenly back to being mere plankton in the ocean (slight exaggeration). But the point is still the same, we're going to be up against far better teams than the previous few years in the basement; teams with a lot of international and high-level experience packed with players who are capable of some outstanding performances.
But are Middlesex good enough to take them on? Of course they are.
Middlesex were comfortably the best team in Division Two all season long, and but for some dodgy weather would have had the title wrapped up long before that final nervy day. This was a team that bowled Essex out twice in a day. This was a team that decimated the runners-up of the division home and away in comprehensive wins. This was a team that handed out the first ever 24-0 defeat in the history of the county championship. Middlesex were superb last year, and with the signings that have been made so far, have only got stronger.
In terms of the batting, Middlesex's line-up could go toe-to-toe with any in the country. The expected top five have it all. Sam Robson, Joe Denly and Chris Rogers will make up perhaps the most solid top three going, with support from Dawid Malan and captain Neil Dexter. In at six will be the still-improving John Simpson, arguably the player of the year. Add to that the all-round talents of Gareth Berg and Ollie Rayner to come, and even against the best attacks on the greenest pitches, chances are Middlesex will make a lot of runs. Taking on the better bowlers of Division One will be a challenge to the batsmen, but one they are all certainly good enough to take. There geniunely isn't a weak link in that line-up, something you can't say about quite a few of the teams around. And that isn't even accounting for the potential inclusion of England captain Andrew Strauss, or even Eoin Morgan (although that is unlikely).
The bowling stocks too are strong. While the change from the Tiflex to the Duke may not help Tim Murtagh, we all know he's good enough to take plenty of wickets when it matters. And the seam-friendly ball will certainly help Corey Collymore, who was unlucky to only pick up 49 wickets in 2011, and if he can remain fit, Toby Roland-Jones, who is a real star in the making. Everyone at Middlesex knows what Gareth Berg can do with bat and ball, and this could be the year that he shows the world just how good he is. And then there's Steven Finn, who has proven his class on every stage, and there will be plenty of Division One batsmen praying that he gets a prolonged run in the England team.
Perhaps the only concern might be spin, as neither Ollie Rayner or Tom Smith have proven themselves consistently with the ball in their relatively short first class careers. Given his extra batting ability, it's likely that Rayner will be given the nod to start off with, and he'll want to get off to a good start at his now permanent home. However, we did see the spinners used more in a containing role last year as the seamers did the damage, and as a naturally more defensive spinner, this will suit Ollie down the the ground (which is a long way for him, because he is very tall).
I'm painting an optimistic view of Middlesex's team, because I know just how strong it is. Of course, I don't want to get too ahead of myself and start talking us up to win it (although two leagues in two years would be nice), as taking on the likes of Lancashire, Durham, Notts and Somerset will be tough, and there will be games where we get battered for four days and get nothing. But, there are teams in this division that we know we are as good, if not better than. Being realistic, survival is the name of the game this year, and staying up by one point will be brilliant, but we're certainly good enough to cause a couple of upsets along the way.
Come on the Middle!
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