At the club's annual Media Day yesterday Middlesex Cricket announced a brand-new leadership team for the 2017 season, with for the first time a split captaincy role between the 50 over and T20 formats, following the resignation of Isabelle Westbury as Middlesex Women’s First Team captain .
Isabelle stepped down for personal reasons, allowing her to focus on her own game and her contributions to the team going forward. As a result an internal review was conducted with a new leadership structure put in place for 2017. Naomi Dattani has been appointed as 50 over captain and Natasha Miles appointed as T20 captain, both will assume the role of vice-captain in the alternative format.
Naomi first played competitively for Middlesex in 2006 as a 12-year-old and has since progressed through the County Age Group ranks and Emerging Player Programme. Since making her First Team debut in 2008 Naomi has played 71 matches across all formats, cementing her place as a pivotal all round player over the past two seasons.
Natasha moved to Middlesex in 2010 as an opening bowler and top order batter. Following a back-injury Natasha has played as an opening batter for the last few seasons. In the 83 matches she has played across all formats Natasha has scored over 1,500 runs and taken 38 wickets.
Commenting on the duel appointment Danni Warren, Middlesex Head of Women’s Cricket said:
“Naomi and Natasha encapsulate the passion and pride that Middlesex Cricket is built upon. Both have a very clear and exciting vision for the county and their respective sides, I look forward to working with them to position Middlesex at the top of the women’s game.
Speaking to both of them their affinity with Middlesex Cricket is obvious. Naomi is Middlesex born and bred, having grown up in Ealing and come through our county age group system, and Natasha has lived in Middlesex for over 10 years. It is fantastic to have two players who have been so key to the rise of Middlesex Women’s cricket leading us forward.”
Natasha Miles commented:
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to be appointed Captain of the Middlesex Women’s T20 side, and to be working alongside the management in this new era of Middlesex Cricket. Middlesex and Lord’s are the Home of Cricket and there is no greater pleasure than representing them in this capacity.
It is an exciting time for women’s cricket both in England and the world over. We have a young and extremely talented home grown side that has the ability and hunger to compete at the top of the table. I can’t wait to work with this group as we challenge for the T20 title this year.”
Naomi Dattani commented:
“I am very excited to be Middlesex 50 over Captain. Having gone through the Middlesex Women and Girls system from the age 9, leading this team gives me a huge sense of pride. I am determined to lead this team to winning Division One of the Royal London County Championship. We have an extremely talented team, with players coming through, alongside those with more experience, and we are ready to take on this season and make the most of this fresh start. Our focus is to play with freedom and an open mind, preparing ourselves one game at a time. I look forward to taking to the field with this team.”
