The squad for the maiden first-class Middlesex game of the season has been announced, and it goes like this:
Neil Dexter (captain)
Gareth Berg
Corey Collymore
Steven Crook
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
Ollie Rayner
Sam Robson
Chris Rogers
Toby Roland-Jones
John Simpson (wk)
Joe Denly is out with a calf strain, and fingers crossed he'll be OK for Somerset on Thursday, but it seems like it's touch and go. It would be tough for Joe to come straight into a big championship game after missing all of pre-season, so he may well miss out, get a seconds game under his belt, and then in to make his Middlesex debut. It's a little bit ironic (only if you ask Alanis Morrissette) that Scott Newman has gone out on loan as he wasn't going to be needed for the early part of the season, and chances are he would have played in the first few games! (OK, not that ironic)
Denly missing out gives Adam London a chance in the first team. Adam didn't play at all in the Championship last year, but is a very talented batsman, and deserves a go in the firsts. At the age of 23 this year could be now or never for Adam, as if he doesn't establish himself this year, he may make a decision like Dan Housego and look to go elsewhere. Having struggled with his injuries over the last couple of years, it would be great to see him nail down a spot in the team, but as chances will be few and far between (with an ever-growing likelihood that Messrs Morgan and Strauss will be available for long spells this year) he'll have to take his chances when he gets them, and this is the perfect opportunity.
As for the rest of the team, we'll probably see Chris Rogers move up to open alongside Robson, with London, or possibly Malan in at 3. As with last year, we're likely to go in with four seamers and a spinner, so it's a toss-up between Steven Crook and Toby Roland-Jones for the final seamer spot (behind Murtagh, Collymore and Berg), and chances are they'll plump for TRJ. So would guess that the team will be:
1) Robson
2) Rogers
3) London
4) Malan
5) Dexter (c)
6) Simpson
7) Berg
8) Rayner
9) Roland-Jones
10) Murtagh
11) Collymore
This is pretty close to how they'll line up at Taunton next week, with the only possible change being Denly in for London (if Joe has recovered, and has got bored of playing Draw Something against me), but that remains to be seen!
The match is at Merchant Taylors' and is free entry, and with the sun out hopefully there'll be a fair few in to see Middlesex in their first official game of the year!
Friday, 30 March 2012
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Winning is a habit...
And seemingly it's one that Middlesex have even at this very early stage of the season.
Much of the success of last year has been given to the flying start that we made, which was down to a successful pre-season, both in training and the warm-up matches. Already we're three from three in our friendlies, with wins over Kent, a MCCL representative team, and Essex, and Middlesex are guaranteed a win today as the Neil Dexter XI take on the Dawid Malan XI. Hopefully the teams for that will have been decided by the two captains, who each picked a player in turn...
The main point of the warm-up games, aside from getting match fitness, is to get some time in the middle and some confidence. Which is why it's great to see flying starts from Malan, who made a ton against Kent, Toby Roland-Jones who's taken 6 wickets cheaply in his two games, and Steven Crook, who blazed a 29-ball fifty against Essex. Crooky is a genuine all-rounder, and while he didn't contribute as much as we'd have liked last year with the bat (although he nearly got us over the line when all seemed lost in the CB40 game against Yorkshire), it's great to see him striking it clearly. If he gets both parts of his game going, he could be a formidable player.
On Malan - after going without a one day ton for so long, he's now got two, both against Kent (even if this was just a friendly). In fact, up to the start of last season, his List A performances were incredibly disappointing, with 742 runs at just 19.53 and a high score of 60. Since then, however, he's made 512 runs at 42.67, 3 fifties and a ton, and if you include the Kent game, he's averaging 49.23 since the start of last year. His turnaround in the quarters has been remarkable, and could well be due to his elevation as an opener. After a slowish start to last season, it would be great to see Malla hit the ground running and really stamp his mark on Division One. Now one of the more senior players, (having been given the responsibility of captaining a side in today's friendly, one would assume he's third in line to the throne behind Dexter and Rogers), 2012 could be a big season for Malan. Let's hope so anyway!
Middlesex's next port of call is the University game against Durham at the weekend, and it will be interesting to see what side is named, as chances are that will be the side that takes to the field in just over a week's time to play Somerset. Come on the Middle!
Much of the success of last year has been given to the flying start that we made, which was down to a successful pre-season, both in training and the warm-up matches. Already we're three from three in our friendlies, with wins over Kent, a MCCL representative team, and Essex, and Middlesex are guaranteed a win today as the Neil Dexter XI take on the Dawid Malan XI. Hopefully the teams for that will have been decided by the two captains, who each picked a player in turn...
The main point of the warm-up games, aside from getting match fitness, is to get some time in the middle and some confidence. Which is why it's great to see flying starts from Malan, who made a ton against Kent, Toby Roland-Jones who's taken 6 wickets cheaply in his two games, and Steven Crook, who blazed a 29-ball fifty against Essex. Crooky is a genuine all-rounder, and while he didn't contribute as much as we'd have liked last year with the bat (although he nearly got us over the line when all seemed lost in the CB40 game against Yorkshire), it's great to see him striking it clearly. If he gets both parts of his game going, he could be a formidable player.
On Malan - after going without a one day ton for so long, he's now got two, both against Kent (even if this was just a friendly). In fact, up to the start of last season, his List A performances were incredibly disappointing, with 742 runs at just 19.53 and a high score of 60. Since then, however, he's made 512 runs at 42.67, 3 fifties and a ton, and if you include the Kent game, he's averaging 49.23 since the start of last year. His turnaround in the quarters has been remarkable, and could well be due to his elevation as an opener. After a slowish start to last season, it would be great to see Malla hit the ground running and really stamp his mark on Division One. Now one of the more senior players, (having been given the responsibility of captaining a side in today's friendly, one would assume he's third in line to the throne behind Dexter and Rogers), 2012 could be a big season for Malan. Let's hope so anyway!
Middlesex's next port of call is the University game against Durham at the weekend, and it will be interesting to see what side is named, as chances are that will be the side that takes to the field in just over a week's time to play Somerset. Come on the Middle!
Thursday, 22 March 2012
First Squads of the Season!
So here it is - after months of waiting, the cricket season is finally upon us. While the official stuff gets started in a couple of weeks in Taunton, Middlesex kick off their pre-season friendlies tomorrow and Saturday with games against Kent at Beckenham, and a Middlesex League XI at Ealing, and the squads have been announced!
Middlesex CCC squad to face Kent on 23rd March
Neil Dexter (Captain)
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Anthony Ireland
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Sam Robson
Ollie Rayner
Toby Roland-Jones
Tom Scollay
John Simpson (wk)
Tom Smith
Robbie Williams
The 13 man squad for the 40 over game is without Tim Murtagh (who was called up yesterday for Ireland at the World T20 qualifiers in Dubai) and Gareth Berg, Paul Stirling and Josh Davey, who were out there already. Chris Rogers and Corey Collymore are also missing, presumably still out in Australia, where they've been playing this winter.
This gives a chance to the less established Scollay, London and Williams, who didn't get much of a crack last year. Based purely on speculation and guesswork, I reckon Middlesex will line up with Denly and Malan opening with Robson at three; Dexter, London and Scollay making up the middle order with Simpson at seven, followed by the bowlers. Not sure if it will be a strict eleven-a-side game or if they'll be allowed to field all thirteen, but if so I assume all of the bowlers will get a few overs. The battle between Rayner and Smith could be an interesting one, as they'll both be fighting for the first choice spinner's role once the season starts.
Middlesex CCC squad to face the MCCL represetative XI on 24th March
Tom Scollay (Captain)
Steven Crook
Tom Helm
Anthony Ireland
James Kettleborough
Adam London
Ravi Patel
Ollie Rayner
Adam Rossington (wk)
Tom Smith
Gurjit Sandhu
Robbie Williams
The other game at Ealing has the look of a second team squad about it, with Dexter, Malan, Denly, Roland-Jones, Robson and Simpson all getting the day off. If it is how the second team will look once the season starts, the fact that both Rayner and Smith are in it suggests that they'll be going without a front-line spinner early on, but we'll see.
While these are just two fairly meaningless friendlies, it'll just be nice to see Middlesex back out on a cricket pitch for the first time since Grace Road!
Middlesex CCC squad to face Kent on 23rd March
Neil Dexter (Captain)
Steven Crook
Joe Denly
Anthony Ireland
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Sam Robson
Ollie Rayner
Toby Roland-Jones
Tom Scollay
John Simpson (wk)
Tom Smith
Robbie Williams
The 13 man squad for the 40 over game is without Tim Murtagh (who was called up yesterday for Ireland at the World T20 qualifiers in Dubai) and Gareth Berg, Paul Stirling and Josh Davey, who were out there already. Chris Rogers and Corey Collymore are also missing, presumably still out in Australia, where they've been playing this winter.
This gives a chance to the less established Scollay, London and Williams, who didn't get much of a crack last year. Based purely on speculation and guesswork, I reckon Middlesex will line up with Denly and Malan opening with Robson at three; Dexter, London and Scollay making up the middle order with Simpson at seven, followed by the bowlers. Not sure if it will be a strict eleven-a-side game or if they'll be allowed to field all thirteen, but if so I assume all of the bowlers will get a few overs. The battle between Rayner and Smith could be an interesting one, as they'll both be fighting for the first choice spinner's role once the season starts.
Middlesex CCC squad to face the MCCL represetative XI on 24th March
Tom Scollay (Captain)
Steven Crook
Tom Helm
Anthony Ireland
James Kettleborough
Adam London
Ravi Patel
Ollie Rayner
Adam Rossington (wk)
Tom Smith
Gurjit Sandhu
Robbie Williams
The other game at Ealing has the look of a second team squad about it, with Dexter, Malan, Denly, Roland-Jones, Robson and Simpson all getting the day off. If it is how the second team will look once the season starts, the fact that both Rayner and Smith are in it suggests that they'll be going without a front-line spinner early on, but we'll see.
While these are just two fairly meaningless friendlies, it'll just be nice to see Middlesex back out on a cricket pitch for the first time since Grace Road!
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!
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.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Murtagh set for Ireland
This might be jumping the gun a bit before any official announcement, but after tweeting earlier that he's now officially an Irish citizen, it appears that 2011 player of the year Tim Murtagh is now eligible for Ireland. Having already expressed an interest in turning out for the boys in green, Tim getting an Irish passport seems to have all but officially confirmed that he will represent the land of his three grandparents. So what does this mean?
While both Tim and Cricket Ireland have (publicly at least) been fairly non-committal about the matter, on air with Kevin Hand Tim said that were he to decide to play for Ireland, he wouldn't want to just turn up and play at a World Cup, he'd want to do it the "right way" and play in the various qualifiers that Ireland have to go through, and their international series across the globe. If Tim does, as now expected, commit to Ireland, he'll likely join Paul Stirling in missing Middlesex games every now and again to pull on the green shirt of his adopted nation.
Luckily for Middlesex fans, the Irish fixture schedule doesn't look hugely strenuous at this stage. Ireland are off for a six game series in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Kenya next month, as well as seven World T20 Qualifiers, but all of those games will be over by the time Middlesex's season starts on April 5th. In fact, if Tim does play for Ireland in these games, he should be much more match sharp and ready in time for the big county kick off, which can only be good news.
Unfortunately, the official Ireland fixtures which will take place after this are disconcertingly vague. Ireland are to play Intercontinental Cup games against Afghanistan, the UAE, Holland and Scotland, but these are currently marked as "date not yet confirmed". The only confirmed international that Ireland have at this stage is on June 23, where they take on Australia in Belfast - which comes one day after we're due to take on Sussex in a T20 at Hove, so no huge loss for Tim to miss what's likely to be a dead rubber (by which I mean we'll have already qualified...). Other than that Tim, and Paul Stirling too, will be available for the bulk of Middlesex's fixtures this summer.
I don't know how far away any of this is away from being confirmed, or whether it'll go through at all, but it can only be a good thing for all concerned. While Middlesex fans will be upset to see a key player miss a couple of games, few will begrudge Tim the opportunity to play international cricket after years of being cruelly snubbed by England. On a professional level for Tim it can only help his game, as testing himself against the best of the world will only add to his experience, and hopefully Middlesex will see the fruits of this when he returns from his travels. And Murtagh missing a couple of games may give young players like Gurjit Sandhu or Robbie Williams the chance to get into the team and impress.
So good luck to Tim as (if) he embarks on a new adventure, and here's to plenty of wickets for both Middlesex and Ireland alike!
While both Tim and Cricket Ireland have (publicly at least) been fairly non-committal about the matter, on air with Kevin Hand Tim said that were he to decide to play for Ireland, he wouldn't want to just turn up and play at a World Cup, he'd want to do it the "right way" and play in the various qualifiers that Ireland have to go through, and their international series across the globe. If Tim does, as now expected, commit to Ireland, he'll likely join Paul Stirling in missing Middlesex games every now and again to pull on the green shirt of his adopted nation.
Luckily for Middlesex fans, the Irish fixture schedule doesn't look hugely strenuous at this stage. Ireland are off for a six game series in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Kenya next month, as well as seven World T20 Qualifiers, but all of those games will be over by the time Middlesex's season starts on April 5th. In fact, if Tim does play for Ireland in these games, he should be much more match sharp and ready in time for the big county kick off, which can only be good news.
Unfortunately, the official Ireland fixtures which will take place after this are disconcertingly vague. Ireland are to play Intercontinental Cup games against Afghanistan, the UAE, Holland and Scotland, but these are currently marked as "date not yet confirmed". The only confirmed international that Ireland have at this stage is on June 23, where they take on Australia in Belfast - which comes one day after we're due to take on Sussex in a T20 at Hove, so no huge loss for Tim to miss what's likely to be a dead rubber (by which I mean we'll have already qualified...). Other than that Tim, and Paul Stirling too, will be available for the bulk of Middlesex's fixtures this summer.
I don't know how far away any of this is away from being confirmed, or whether it'll go through at all, but it can only be a good thing for all concerned. While Middlesex fans will be upset to see a key player miss a couple of games, few will begrudge Tim the opportunity to play international cricket after years of being cruelly snubbed by England. On a professional level for Tim it can only help his game, as testing himself against the best of the world will only add to his experience, and hopefully Middlesex will see the fruits of this when he returns from his travels. And Murtagh missing a couple of games may give young players like Gurjit Sandhu or Robbie Williams the chance to get into the team and impress.
So good luck to Tim as (if) he embarks on a new adventure, and here's to plenty of wickets for both Middlesex and Ireland alike!
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
New 2012 Kits
Cricket related Middlesex news has been fairly thin on the ground recently, but MCCC have just released the images for the 2012 kits, so in order to justify having this blog, here they are.
Middlesex and England's Strauss, Finn and Morgan (not that one) show off the 2012 kits
So there they are. Let's start with:
The whites
The County Championship kit, expertly modelled by Straussy, looks fairly similar to previous year's offerings, but with a few subtle differences. The first, and most obvious, is the new sponsor, Brooks Macdonald, who were unveiled as the new three year sponsors this morning. The kit itself is a very white white (as opposed to the creams and greys seen at other counties), and there is a bit more navy trim than before. All in all, a very nice effort.
The pinks
The T20 kit is, from what I can see, exactly the same as last years, but with the new sponsor replacing Ignis. No longer the baby pink of years gone by, the much darker hue of pink matches the shirt of Pinky the Panther, and more importantly, the charity that it supports. (Just a note, hopefully there will be trousers with the matching colours this year, rather than the 'old' pink. On an OCD level, that really annoyed me.)
The quarters
After the years of the pink-and-navy quartered shirts, the new Harlequins inspired effort may take some getting used to, especially amongst the traditionalists. It's certainly a new direction for the one day kit, and so far the jury's out. But as long at the Panthers tear up the CB40 in it, I'm sure not many will care what the shirt looks like!
All shirts (and plenty more besides) are available in the Middlesex shop, and online
So there they are. Let's start with:
The whites
The County Championship kit, expertly modelled by Straussy, looks fairly similar to previous year's offerings, but with a few subtle differences. The first, and most obvious, is the new sponsor, Brooks Macdonald, who were unveiled as the new three year sponsors this morning. The kit itself is a very white white (as opposed to the creams and greys seen at other counties), and there is a bit more navy trim than before. All in all, a very nice effort.
The pinks
The T20 kit is, from what I can see, exactly the same as last years, but with the new sponsor replacing Ignis. No longer the baby pink of years gone by, the much darker hue of pink matches the shirt of Pinky the Panther, and more importantly, the charity that it supports. (Just a note, hopefully there will be trousers with the matching colours this year, rather than the 'old' pink. On an OCD level, that really annoyed me.)
The quarters
After the years of the pink-and-navy quartered shirts, the new Harlequins inspired effort may take some getting used to, especially amongst the traditionalists. It's certainly a new direction for the one day kit, and so far the jury's out. But as long at the Panthers tear up the CB40 in it, I'm sure not many will care what the shirt looks like!
All shirts (and plenty more besides) are available in the Middlesex shop, and online
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