Eoin Morgan will lead his Middlesex side into battle against the Sussex Sharks tomorrow evening at the Home of Cricket in what can only be described as a must win game for Middlesex. Anything but a victory for the Seaxes will all but put an end to any hopes the club has of turning around what has been a disappointing T20 Blast campaign to date.
Mathematically, qualification is still possible, as an unblemished record throughout the remainder of the T20 Blast campaign will see Middlesex finish the group stages with a haul of sixteen points. Last term, this was enough to see eventual competition winners Birmingham Bears qualify from the North Group, whilst one point less was a big enough tally to secure Glamorgan a quarter final berth in 2014.
Whilst mathematically possible, the form book suggests that Middlesex have an almighty task on their hands, coming into Thursday night’s game on the back of five straight defeats in the competition, although the last time these two sides met, Sussex were on the end of an absolute hiding from Middlesex, as Paul Stirling and Dawid Malan put on 187 to set a new first wicket partnership club record, and Middlesex posted 221 - their highest ever total in the competition. The now departed Kyle Abbott then destroyed any hopes the Sharks had with a devastating five wicket haul, as the hosts were dismissed well short of their target at Hove.
Middlesex’s hopes are boosted by the welcome return from injury of the influential left hander Dawid as well as the arrival of Black Caps’ paceman, Mitchell McClenaghan, who makes his debut for the Seaxes in what Middlesex hope will be the game that sees their campaign turn around.
Sussex themselves currently lie in third place in the South Group, having won five of their nine encounters so far, and with leading run scorer Luke Wright in majestic form, having hit 371 runs at an average of 53.00, they will be hopeful that they’ve got the momentum to continue their recent good T20 Blast run, which sees them coming into the game unbeaten in their last four T20 outings.
With everything to play for at Lord’s tomorrow night, in front of what will be the largest crowd yet for any T20 at Lord’s this term, it’s set to be a real cracker at the Home of Cricket.
MIDDLESEX SQUAD
Middlesex have announced the following 13-man squad to play against Sussex at Lord’s: Eoin Morgan (c), Andy Balbirnie, Nick Compton, Neil Dexter, James Franklin, James Harris, Dawid Malan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ravi Patel, Harry Podmore, Ollie Rayner, John Simpson, Paul Stirling.
TICKET INFORMATION
Adults £25 and under 16s £5.
On the day of the match, the ticket office within Lord’s Cricket Ground will be open until midday if you would like to purchase tickets before gates open. After this point tickets will only be available to buy once the gates open at 4:45pm, from the North Gate Ticket Selling Point on Wellington Place (CASH PURCHASES PREFERRED).
If you are collecting tickets on the day, you can do so from the East Gate Ticket Collection point on St John’s Wood Road, which will be open from 2pm.
MIDDLESEX MEMBERS are reminded that they must sit in the Pavilion or members stands (Warner, Tavern or Allen Stands, therefore if you are bringing guests and wish them to sit with you in the members’ areas then you must purchase them ROVER TICKETS.
To purchase Rover tickets (£15 for adults & £5 for under 16s) you can call the ticket office on 020 7432 1000 until 5.30pm on Tuesday. After that they can be purchased in person from the Lord's ticket office inside the ground until midday on Thursday and will also be available to purchase on the day from the Grace Gate ABO on St John’s Wood Road from gates opening at 4.45pm (CASH PURCHASES PREFERRED).
Middlesex COUNTY Members are reminded that they do not get free entry or members’ privileges for NatWest T20 Blast matches, so must purchase a general public ticket.
Gates open at 4.45pm and play is due to start at 6.15pm
