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!
Showing posts with label Sam Robson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sam Robson. Show all posts
Monday, 2 April 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Newman off to Kent
After a few rumours had been flying about, it's been confirmed today that Scott Newman has joined Kent on loan for the first two months of the season. With Robson, Denly and Rogers likely to make up the top-order for the first part of the season, Scott wouldn't have had much of a look in, so has been allowed to head off to Canterbury to get the season started.
It seems like a good deal all round, with Scott being able to get in some match practice after a few months off (and perhaps 'prove a point' to those who don't see him in Middlesex's plans), Kent gaining a player with plenty of county experience, especially after a winter of upheaval, and it certainly suits Middlesex to have Scott playing a good standard of cricket fresh as and when he's needed over the season.
The benefits of the loan are fairly clear, and I'd assume there's some sort of clause allowing Middlesex to recall Scott if there are injuries or a dramatic loss of form of any of those top three, so it seems like a good move all round.
I'm sure all Middlesex fans wish Scott all the best, and hopefully we'll see him back full of runs when he returns to Middlesex in June!
It seems like a good deal all round, with Scott being able to get in some match practice after a few months off (and perhaps 'prove a point' to those who don't see him in Middlesex's plans), Kent gaining a player with plenty of county experience, especially after a winter of upheaval, and it certainly suits Middlesex to have Scott playing a good standard of cricket fresh as and when he's needed over the season.
The benefits of the loan are fairly clear, and I'd assume there's some sort of clause allowing Middlesex to recall Scott if there are injuries or a dramatic loss of form of any of those top three, so it seems like a good move all round.
I'm sure all Middlesex fans wish Scott all the best, and hopefully we'll see him back full of runs when he returns to Middlesex in June!
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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