Middlesex First team Coach, Richard Johnson, has named an unchanged squad of 14 for this Sunday’s next Vitality Blast clash of the 2025 campaign, when we take on Essex at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford from 2pm.
Middlesex head into the clash still searching for the first win of this season’s campaign, having lost out to Sussex Sharks and Glamorgan in the opening two encounters, and then having been denied a good chance of bagging victory against Kent Spitfires at Lord’s on Thursday night, when the weather gods had other ideas.
Thursday night proved to be a frustrating one for all concerned, as having bowled well, fielded well, and caught well, to restrict the Spitfires to what looked to be an under-par total of 172 for 9, the heavens opened at the halfway stage and Middlesex were unable to even begin their run chase.
Middlesex skipper Stephen Eskinazi spoke of his frustration at the end of the game, looking back on a much-improved performance in the field, when so much came together and gave the side a great shot at securing what would have been an important morale boosting victory.
Ireland international quick, Josh Little, having missed the opening two matches of the campaign with an injury picked up prior to his arrival at the Club, made his debut at Lord’s on Thursday night, and he bowled with plenty of pace and aggression throughout. His attacking style will undoubtedly add a different dimension to the Middlesex attack.
Looking back to his very best was seamer Tom Helm, who added to the three wickets he picked up at Merchant Taylors’ School last Sunday, with another three-wicket haul at Lord’s on Thursday, and a fit a firing Helm will be crucial to Middlesex’s campaign this summer.
Also back in the wickets was Luke Hollman, who battled well and claimed his rewards on Thursday night, also bagging three wickets and looking a threat throughout.
Aside of Ben Geddes’ 51 off 37 balls and Ryan Higgins explosive 44 from 16 against Sussex, Middlesex’s batting has yet to really fire this term, although with a top six of Eskinazi, Kane Williamson, Geddes, Leus du Plooy, Jack Davies, and Higgins, it’s surely only a matter of time, and Johnson will be hoping that the batters can match the suxxess the bowling unit achieved last Thursday and post a big score over in Chelmsford tomorrow.
Essex too are still looking for their first win, after three straight losses at the front end of their campaign.
They came out on the wrong side of their opening encounter in the Blast, when losing heavily to Hampshire down in Southampton. After Hampshire had smashed a huge total of 230 in their 20 overs, Essex could only muster 124 in reply, as they fell to defeat by 106 runs. Michael Pepper was the only standout performer for the visitors on the night, top scoring with 51 off 38 deliveries.
Next time out Essex were again undone, this time by Somerset, who ran out comprehensive winners by eight wickets in Chelmsford. Pepper was again in the runs for Essex, notching back-to-back fifties, top scoring again with 54 from 31 balls, whilst Dean Elgar also hit fifty up top, with the opener’s 50 coming off 37 balls.
Their last outing against Glamorgan last night again saw them fall to defeat, as whilst they posted a competitive total down in Cardiff, amassing 183 for 8 in their 20 overs, with Michael Pepper again the standout batter, with a fine knock of 6o from 30 balls, they struggled with the ball and couldn’t come to terms with Glamorgan skipper Kiran Carlson, who took the game away from Essex with a fine knock of 93 from 57 balls to take his side to victory by six wickets with an over to spare in their chase.
Last night’s loss sees Essex still sat at the foot of the South Group table, pointless from their three outings, and they, like Middlesex, will be desperate to get the first win of their campaign on the board tomorrow. It promises to be a close and exciting encounter in Chelmsford!
Middlesex have named the following unchanged 14-man squad for tomorrow’s clash:
Essex will be producing a live stream of the game tomorrow, which members and supporters can watch on the Middlesex website in the Match Centre.
Come on Middlesex!
Essex Men
Middlesex Men
