Match Report provided by the ECB Reporters Network
Middlesex 302-5 beat Worcestershire Rapids 289-7 by 13 runs
Stephen Eskinazi’s brilliant century and List A best score helped Middlesex registered their first win of the season in the Royal London Cup and inflicted a first setback – by 13 runs - on Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.
Eskinazi returned to action after recovering from a groin injury and marked his first appearance of the summer in the competition by racing to three figures off just 83 balls.
He went onto make 130 from 101 balls with four sixes and 11 fours as Middlesex totalled 302-5 in a game reduced to 41 overs per side.
Brett D’Oliveira continued his fine form with a top score of 74 for the Rapids and Tom Fell and Jake Libby also hit half centuries.
But Middlesex always just held the edge and there were two wickets apiece for Thilan Walallawita, James Harris and Luke Hollman as the Rapids closed on 289-7.
Middlesex opted to bat on a used pitch and openers Max Holden and Eskinazi added 65 before the former on 39 edged Adam Finch through to keeper Gareth Roderick.
Eskanazi struck Charlie Morris and Baker for sixes on his way to a 49 ball half century and he was full of improvisation.
Robson was equally effective in reaching his 50 off 48 deliveries.
The partnership was worth 129 in 19 overs when Robson (57) fell to a low catch by Fell at mid on off Ed Barnard.
Eskinazi completed his century off 83 balls with a risky two to backward of point and Roderick was convinced he had run him out before he made his ground at full stretch.
It was a near faultless innings containing four sixes and seven fours.
He passed his previous best of 107 against Gloucestershire two years ago and went onto make 130 before he was caught behind off a leading edge against Leach.
Martin Andersson bludgeoned 38 not out off only 11 balls to take the final total past 300 with 39 coming from the final two overs.
Worcestershire openers Jack Haynes and D’Oliveira had put on a club record 243 in the previous game against Essex but this time had to be content with a modest 37 before the former on 17 went for a cut and edged James Harris through to keeper Robbie White.
D’Oliveira completed a 53 ball fifty and the 100 partnership with Fell spanned 83 balls.
D’Oliveira moved onto 74 but then was caught at long off attempting another big hit off Hollman.
It ended a stand of 116 in 15 overs with Fell who reached his own 50 off 55 balls but added only eight more before he was caught off a skier at backward point off Hollman.
There were useful cameos from Roderick, on 23, and Barnard, with 18, and Libby had time to complete a 44 ball fifty before he was dismissed by Harris.
Worcestershire Rapids
Middlesex
