It was a special weekend for three of Middlesex’s young cricketers in the County Age Groups, as James Isbell, Jack Nelson, and 11-year-old Aveer Nagpal all hit hundreds for the Club.
Isbell’s and Nelson’s came in Middlesex’s Under 18s match against London rivals Surrey in their game at Merchant Taylors’ School, whilst Nagpal’s knock was scored against Merchant Taylors’ School Under 13s, in a match also played in Northwood.
In the 50-over U18s friendly At Merchant Taylors’, Surrey won the toss and elected to bat first and went on to post a competitive total of 285, dismissed in the final over of their innings. Ed Marsh bowled beautifully for his 3 for 42 from 7.3 overs, although it was Nelson who was the pick with the ball, finishing with fine figures of 4 for 64 from his 9 overs.
In reply, chasing a target of 286 for victory, Middlesex lost Pansilu Wijesinghe and Caleb Falconer early, bringing Nelson to the crease to join opener Isbell, with the score on 21 for 2.
The pair then proceeded to add 251 for the third wicket, before Nelson was dismissed for a quite brilliant 145 from just 111 balls in an innings that included 20 fours and five maximums, to cap what was an incredible game for the youngster.
Isbell held firm and saw things through to the end, finishing unbeaten on 109*, scored off 106 deliveries, with 10 fours and three sixes, as Middlesex’s U18s claimed a seven-wicket victory, knocking off the runs with ten overs in hand.
The Under 13s match, also at Merchant Taylors’ School, saw Middlesex win the toss and elect to bat first, with Nagpal batting as an opener. In what was a phenomenal display of batting, the youngster hit two maximums and 19 fours, on his way to an innings of 153, eventually run out having faced 122 deliveries.
Middlesex’s score of 276 for 9 in their 40 overs proved far too strong for the pupils of Merchant Taylors’, who were dismissed for just 154 in reply, to seal a victory for Middlesex by the margin of 122 runs.
Congratulations on three exceptional performances from three hugely talented young cricketers, who had a weekend to remember representing the three Seaxes!
