Following the squad announcement that Middlesex Cricket made yesterday, the club felt that some clarification was required regarding Sam Robson's non-inclusion in the thirteen-man squad to face Essex.
On Friday, the ECB announced the England Lions squad to face South Africa in a three-day game starting on Thursday in Worcester. Sam Robson was included within that squad.
Counties were given the opportunity to select those players named in the England Lions squad for the opening two days of this week's County Championship round of day/night matches, with them then being replaced with a 'like for like' substitute for the final two days. Middlesex however have elected not to name Robson within their squad to face Essex.
Middlesex Cricket's Managing Director of Cricket, Angus Fraser, clarifies why..
"There are a couple of reasons why Middlesex Cricket has chosen not to select Sam Robson for the opening two days of this week's Specsavers County Championship match against Essex at Chelmsford.
"The first is that we believe it brings clarity to the situation. I believe that it is better to have one player totally focused for an entire match than two players who wonder how much involvement they may have.
"The second reason is that we want to give Sam the best chance of performing well in what is an important game for him.
"This decision allows Sam to fully focus on the England Lions game against South Africa, rather than rushing down to Worcester and trying to combine a bit of rest and preparation."
