D40 QUEST (SOUTH)
Venue: Harlow Town CC
Middlesex’s D40 first eleven got their D40 Quest title defence underway in the perfect fashion with a resounding 208-run victory over Essex at Harlow Town Cricket Club.
Umesh Valjee and Naseer Butt opened the batting for Middlesex, having been put in by the hosts, getting off to a strong start, safely negotiating the new ball whilst maintaining a positive run-rate, bringing up their 50-run partnership in the 11th over.
Despite losing his opening partner soon after, Valjee continued to score freely bringing up his half-century in the 20th over, off 67 balls.
With seven overs to go, Valjee bought up his century, coming off 112 balls hitting 10 fours and 1 six to that point. Connor Flaunty’s knock of 26 not out helped Middlesex finish on 245/4 off their 40 overs, with Valjee finishing on 147 not out.
It was the perfect start with the ball for Middlesex as captain, James Nordin, struck twice in the opening over, bowling both Fryatt and Aust for ducks.
Nordin was on a hat-trick in the eighth over after removing Jackson and Henderson for golden ducks, however Law was able to survive.
Middlesex made light work of the Essex batters, dismissing them for 37 within 15 overs. Nordin finished with figures of 7/9 off 7 overs. Mohammed Farooq, Kester Sainsbury and Jai Charan picked up the other three wickets between them.
You can view the full scorecard here: https://middlesexdisabled.play-cricket.com/website/results/6838300
