Tomorrow sees the top two sides in Division One go head to head at the Home of Cricket, in what is undoubtedly the LV= County Championship clash of the season, as Middlesex play host to a Yorkshire side who remain unbeaten in the Championship this season.
Yorkshire travel down to Lord’s from Headingley with their sights set on securing the five points they need to retain the Division One County Championship title, which they so impressively won last year and which they have so doggedly defended this term.
Middlesex themselves will be hoping to inflict a first defeat of the season on Yorkshire and further cement their stranglehold on second place in the table, which realistically is the best placed finish that the Seaxes can now hope for this term.
With a game in hand on Middlesex, should Yorkshire not secure the points they need to win the trophy at Lord’s, it is surely only a matter of time before the White Rose retain their crown, with matches still to come against struggling Hampshire and Sussex sides.
Whether they have to wait that long will become clear in the intriguing contest that lies ahead over the next four days at Lord’s!
Whilst Yorkshire remain unbeaten in the Championship, they were made to work hard for their win at Headingley earlier this season against Middlesex, as a match winning unbeaten hundred from Jonny Bairstow, with Yorkshire in deep trouble at 141 for 7 in their first innings, helped keep the home side’s unbeaten record intact.
It was ultimately the difference between the two sides, in what was a closely fought contest at the top of the table, which Middlesex can consider themselves extremely unlucky to have come away on the losing side from.
Middlesex head into this match at Lord’s high in confidence, unbeaten in their last six County Championship matches, having won three and drawn three of those clashes, with the only blemish on Middlesex’s record this season being that one solitary defeat, at the hands of Yorkshire, in the return fixture in Leeds back in June.
With third placed Nottinghamshire also in action this week, as favourites against an out of form Durham side, Middlesex will be looking for a good points tally and a strong performance against the Champions elect here at Lord’s, which will hopefully see them heading to New Road in their final Championship outing in two weeks’ time with second place firmly within their grasp.
Middlesex name the following thirteen man squad for the forthcoming match: James Franklin (*) Nick Compton Neil Dexter Stephen Eskinazi James Harris Dawid Malan Tim Murtagh Ravi Patel Sam Robson Toby Roland-Jones Gurjit Sandhu John Simpson (+) Paul Stirling
INJURY UPDATE
Ollie Rayner misses out on this one, suffering from a minor groin strain. It is hoped that a few days rest will see him fit and well and in contention for a recall against Worcestershire.
Meet the Players Party – Wednesday 9 September
A reminder to all Middlesex members that half an hour after the close of play on day one of this match, Middlesex CCC are hosting our annual ‘Meet the Players’ party at the top of the Mound Stand, where you’ll be able to mix and mingle with the players and other members and guests on the debenture concourse, and enjoy a relaxed evening, socialising with drinks and buffet provided.
Tickets for Middlesex members cost £15 if bought in advance, of £20 on the day. Guest tickets are priced at £20. You can still purchase tickets in advance, by calling Julie Blakesley on 0207 289 1300.
