Middlesex return to NatWest T20 Blast action on Friday evening at Richmond Cricket Club, Old Deer Park, looking to salvage some pride from what has been a hugely disappointing campaign to date. Seven consecutive defeats in the competition have seen Middlesex slip to the bottom of the South Group table, currently lying five points adrift of eighth placed Somerset.
In stark contrast, Friday's visitors Essex, will travel across the capital with form very much on their side, having turned around a shaky start to their own campaign, to win five of their last six T20 Blast encounters; a string of results that has seen them climb up to third spot in the South Group table to challenge for one of the four quarter final places up for grabs.
Middlesex will have the competition's leading paceman to contend with on Friday night, with Essex's Shaun Tait having already picked up 20 victims this term, and with both Ravi Bopara (15 wickets) and Reece Topley (13 wickets) also weighing in, the Eagles attack poses plenty of threat.
The visitors batting firepower comes in the form of big hitting trio Jesse Ryder, Ryan ten Doeschate and Ravi Bopara. With each of them well on the way to hitting 300 runs in this season's campaign, it's easy to see why the Eagles' have flown up the table of late.
Middlesex's own prospects are boosted by the return of Black Caps paceman Mitchell McClenaghan, who is named in a thirteen man squad after a brief spell out through injury. McClenaghan was hugely impressive on debut at Lord's against Sussex, picking up three wickets, before a finger injury forced him to leave the field.
Middlesex also name Steven Finn in the squad, who has returned to the club, having missed out on an Ashes start in Cardiff.
Powerhouse Paul Stirling is absent however, as is fellow Irishman, Andy Balbirnie, as both have travelled to Stormont to represent Ireland in the ICC World Cup T20 qualifiers against Namibia and the USA.
With more tickets sold in advance for this fixture than any other previous Middlesex T20 outground encounter, there's a huge crowd expected at Richmond, as Middlesex look to derail the Eagles campaign and restore some pride themselves as the group stages draw to a close.
Middlesex Squad Info
Middlesex have named the following 13-man squad for the match tomorrow, Friday 10 July at Richmond:
Eoin Morgan (c), Joe Burns, Neil Dexter, Steven Finn, James Franklin, Nick Gubbins, Dawid Malan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ravi Patel, Harry Podmore, Ollie Rayner, George Scott, John Simpson.
Match Information
Gates open at 4.00pm and the match is due to start at 5.30pm.
All Middlesex members (except County Level members) get free entry to this match on production of your membership card.
General admission tickets can no longer be bought in advance for this match, but can still be bought on the day from gates opening and cost £20 for adults, £10 for over 65s and £5 for under 16s.
PRE-SALES HAVE BEEN OUR BEST EVER FOR A MATCH AT RICHMOND, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY BOUGHT YOUR TICKETS PLEASE ARRIVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!
How to get to Old Deer Park
So you can plan your journey in advance, CLICK HERE for directions and additional information on Old Deer Park, Richmond CC.
Parking
If you are driving to the match, then parking is available at the Kew Gardens end of Richmond CC and costs £3 for Middlesex members and £5 for non-members (per vehicle).
If you are travelling by public transport please plan your journey in advance and check the TFL website for any planned disruptions or closures.
Food & Drink
Please note that NO ALCOHOL will be allowed to be taken into the ground for this match, however, if you wish you can bring in your own food!
There will also be a number of food outlets and bars around the ground where you can purchase a variety of food as well as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING CASH!
Need help at the Ground?
If you need any help at the ground on the day, why not visit the Middlesex gazebo, which will be situated to the side of the Clubhouse at Richmond. Please come and ask us any questions you may have. Alternatively, there will be plenty of stewards around the ground who will be happy to help you.
