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!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
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, 30 March 2012
Middlesex v Durham MCCU Squad Announcement
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!
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!
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.
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