Middlesex Women return to action tomorrow, launching their Vitality Blast campaign in what promises to be a historic day at the Home of Cricket. They’ll face Sussex Sharks in the competition opener – part of a double-header and their sole appearance at Lord’s Cricket Ground this season.
Head Coach, Marc Broom, has named a squad of 13 for the occasion, with two changes from our last T20 squad. Former Middlesex Captain, Naomi Dattani, has returned to the club on a short-term loan from Hampshire, and Sarah Pearson is in line for her first T20 appearance of the season.
Middlesex come into the Blast in strong form, having finished the opening block of Metro Bank One-Day Cup fixtures unbeaten and top of the table, with four wins from four. As the schedule now shifts to the shorter format through June and July, the team will be aiming to carry that momentum into the 20-over competition.
The side’s only T20 outing so far this season came in the opening round of the Vitality Women’s County Cup, when they posted 136 in a five-wicket defeat to Kent at Radlett. Finty Trussler was the standout performer that day, striking a confident 52 from 41 deliveries. She will arrive at Lord’s full of confidence, having recorded a career-best 137 from 118 balls in our most recent One-Day Cup clash with Gloucestershire. Gaya Gole also starred in that match, taking a brilliant 5/27, and both players feature in tomorrow’s squad.
Anaya Patel was the pick of the bowlers in the T20 against Kent, finishing with 3/18 from her four overs – and she too will look to play a key role on the Lord’s stage.
Sussex, meanwhile, head into the clash having reached the second round of the Vitality T20 County Cup. They recorded a 46-run victory over Tier Three side, Buckinghamshire, before suffering a 48-run defeat to Glamorgan. In the One-Day Cup, they currently sit sixth in the standings with two wins and two losses. Most recently, they beat Kent by 42 runs, with Mollie Adams scoring 76, backing up her unbeaten 104 in their previous match against Worcestershire.
MIDDLESEX SQUAD V SUSSEX SHARKS
Tomorrow’s match marks a significant milestone for Middlesex Women – their first competitive appearance at the Home of Cricket – and it would be fantastic to see strong support from members and supporters as the team looks to kick-off their Vitality Blast campaign with a performance to match the occasion.
Turnstiles will open at 13:15, with the Women’s match getting underway at 14:15. The Men’s match follows at 18:15, with both fixtures included in one ticket – making it the perfect half-term day out.
Middlesex Women
Sussex Sharks Women
