Middlesex head to the Utilita Bowl in Southampton tomorrow where they will face Hampshire in the first pre-season friendly of 2024, and First Team Coach, Richard Johnson, has named a squad of twelve for the two-day red-ball clash.
Johnson is blessed with a full complement of seamers at his disposal, and names a six strong line-up of Ethan Bamber, Blake Cullen, Tom Helm, Ryan Higgins, Toby Roland-Jones, and Middlesex's latest signing, Henry Brookes, in his twelve-man squad.
Spin options come from last year's find of the season, Josh de Caires, and Nathan Fernandes, with support coming from both Sam Robson and Max Holden if and when required.
With the bat, Robson and Mark Stoneman are named, and should be set to resume their opening partnership, with Holden, Jack Davies, Higgins and Fernandes making up the batting ranks, with Davies also taking the wicket-keeping gloves.
The game will be played over two days, starting at 10.30am on both days, played with a Kookaburra ball, which is being trialled in the season's opening two County Championship matches and again later in the season.
It has been agreed between the two sides that visitors Middlesex will bat first in the game, with hosts Hampshire batting second.
Upon completion of this week's opening friendly, Middlesex head to Northwood next week to take on Kent at Merchant Taylors' School, over Monday and Tuesday, and then to Chelmsford the following week, to face Essex on the 1st and 2nd April, ahead of the County Championship season opener against Glamorgan at Lord's on the 5th.
Middlesex's twelve man squad for this week's friendly is as follows:
*This fixture will not be streamed by Hampshire, but Middlesex's Facebook and X accounts will be providing updates over the two days.
Hampshire
Middlesex
