Middlesex host Bank Holiday double-header against Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire
Middlesex have named a squad of 13 for this weekend’s matches including batsman Maia Bouchier who returns following exams. On Sunday they host fifth-placed Nottinghamshire at Mill Hill School and on Monday they face Warwickshire at Teddington Cricket Club.
Sixth-placed Middlesex return to Mill Hill – the venue of their first one-day victory – on Sunday, and have named a strong squad of 12 which includes England international Fran Wilson.
Natasha Miles has been a key batsman for Middlesex, scoring 77 runs in four one-day innings. Perhaps her most important contribution was in the nail-biting one-run victory over Berkshire when she hit 14 runs in a first wicket partnership of 34, successfully negotiating the first thirteen overs. Miles has timed the ball well and will hope to continue her form over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Fran Wilson will play her last county matches before the World Cup and will seek to perform both to put the county in a good position for the remainder of the season, and to secure a spot in England’s first match. Though only making 11 on her Middlesex return, she looked in fine touch and it took a good low caught and bowled opportunity to dismiss her.
Beth Morgan has continued to show her class this season, effortlessly timing the ball and threading it through gaps which the opposition thought they had covered. Morgan has accrued 134 runs at 33.50 in four 50-over matches with a top score of 80 against Yorkshire, often turning singles into twos as she sprints between the wickets.
The lower-order also showed their ability with the bat against Berkshire and should take confidence from that into these fixtures. Wicketkeeper India Whitty scored an important 11, facing 29 deliveries in a 19-run partnership with Hannah Wakeman (five not out off 27).
Against Nottinghamshire Middlesex potentially have six options in Catherine Dalton, Naomi Dattani, Gayatri Gole, Milly Pope, Ria Raval and Wakeman. Pace-bowler Gole will probably take the new ball as she looks to make early inroads and add to her senior Middlesex haul of four wickets. Pope might bowl first change alongside skipper and left-armer Dattani as both look for their fifth wicket this season. Wakeman has proven an economical option and will likely be used in the middle-overs to dry up the runs.
Off-spinner Isabelle Westbury is also likely to play a pivotal role for Middlesex and will probably bowl in tandem with fellow offie Morgan. The pair work well together with their different styles – Westbury well-flighted and Morgan flatter, faster. Westbury will enter the game with confidence after taking 4-35 on her return against Berkshire.
New Zealand quick Holly Huddleston will lead the Middlesex attack against Warwickshire, looking to add to her county season tally of 11 and stake a claim for a spot in the White Ferns best Eleven. Huddleston’s pace has proved a real challenge for batsmen, and she showcased her ability against Berkshire by claiming 4-24 from her allotted ten overs which included five maidens.
Middlesex go into Sunday’s match knowing they have the ability to win tough games. But several Nottinghamshire players have made good starts to the season, and Middlesex will need to keep them quiet. Kirstie Gordon has claimed six wickets at 18.83 for Notts in her first three matches, and has also been in good form at club and university level. Rebecca Widdowson is another in-form bowler who has picked up seven wickets at an impressive average of 11.71. Allrounder Jodie Dibble has made useful contributions with bat in hand, scoring 76 with a top score of 33.
On Monday Middlesex play an unbeaten Warwickshire side. The ladder-leaders have bolstered their squad with the inclusion of New Zealand allrounder Sophie Devine. The White Fern is returning from injury and is known for her ability to clear boundaries, demonstrated in the second edition of the Women’s Big Bash League as she scored the only century of the tournament with 103 not out off just 48, including ten fours and eight sixes.
Another key batsman for the Bears is England international Amy Jones. Just missing out on World Cup selection, Jones is almost certainly first in line if any batsmen suffer an injury, and it will be important to be in form should she get the call. Jones has played one match for Warwickshire this season, scoring 61 in a comprehensive 149 victory over Nottinghamshire. Her talent behind the stumps means Middlesex batsmen need to be careful if they come out of their crease – miss the ball and Jones will likely have them stumped.
Georgia Hennessy is a second Warwickshire player who has been in good form to date, scoring 97 runs at 32.33 in three games for the Bears.
England all-rounder Jenny Gunn is a fifth international who has a big summer ahead with the Women’s World Cup and will be hoping to add some useful middle-order runs for Warwickshire and claim key wickets with her unusual medium-pace action.
It is free entry to both matches, play starting at 11am.
Middlesex squad
Naomi Dattani (c)
Maia Bouchier
Catherine Dalton
Gayatri Gole
Holly Huddleston (Warwickshire only)
Natasha Miles
Beth Morgan
Milly Pope
Ria Raval (Nottinghamshire only)
Hannah Wakeman
Isabelle Westbury
India Whitty
Fran Wilson
Match preview contributed by Georgia Isaac, Middlesex Women's content co-ordinator.
