Middlesex have named a squad of 12 to face Berkshire and Surrey in T20 matches on Sunday at North Maidenhead Cricket Club.
Natasha Miles returns to the squad and will resume her tenure as T20 captain with four matches remaining before the second edition of the Kia Super League (KSL). Miles will be aiming to lead from the front with the bat alongside opener and vice-captain Naomi Dattani who enjoyed success against Somerset in the previous round scoring 40. Dattani shared a 91-run partnership with number three Sophia Dunkley as the pair ran well between the wickets, with Dunkley the aggressor in the stand. Dunkley hit an unbeaten 77 off 58, striking an impressive nine fours in her top score for the county this summer.
Two other batsmen who will play important and differing roles are Beth Morgan and Catherine Dalton. If early wickets fall, Morgan will likely be sent up the order to steady the ship while ensuring the scoreboard keeps ticking along as she runs hard between the wickets. Dalton's style of play is more attacking as she looks to find the boundary, often through strength rather than pure placement like Morgan. Dalton often comes to the crease near the end of an innings as Middlesex look for quick runs to build momentum when batting first.
Middlesex have three spinners in the squad, front-line leggies Dunkley and Emily Thorpe and part-time off-spinner Morgan. Dunkley enjoyed success return post injury and showcased her ability against Somerset claiming 4-24.
In the seam department Middlesex will likely look to right-arm quick Gayatri Gole to open the attack. Gole has taken eight Fist XI league wickets to date and will look to make early inroads with Dunkley expected to open from the other end.
Berkshire are bottom of the ladder with one win and will be eager to notch their second over Middlesex following a tight one-run defeat to the London side in the one-day format. In that match it was New Zealand international Rachel Priest, who dominated with the bat and Berkshire will be hoping some of their home-grown players can help to fill the void left. Captain Alice MacLeod and wicketkeeper Carla Rudd, both members of the victorious Southern Vipers squad in the inaugural KSL, will be key with the bat. MacLeod's spin could also prove useful, though their key bowler will be young quick Lauren Bell.
London-rivals Surrey will be eager to register a T20 win over Middlesex after a third defeat in the London Cup earlier this year. Four key players for Surrey are likely to be; opening bat and wicketkeeper Kirstie White, fellow opener Bryony Smith, number three Sophie Pout and all-rounder Hannah Jones. White has accrued 239 runs at 34.14 with a top score of 89 not out for Surrey this season and will be looking to build a solid platform with Smith. Pout will be hoping to regain her form after scoring 47 in the first T20 match of their campaign against Somerset. With the ball, Surrey will likely look to medium-pacer Jones to continue her run of form. To date the right-armer has claimed 13 wickets at just 9.08 this season.
Middlesex face hosts Berkshire at 10:30am before taking on Surrey at 1:30pm.
Middlesex squad as follows:
Natasha Miles (c)
Maia Bouchier
Amara Carr
Catherine Dalton
Naomi Dattani
Sophia Dunkley
Gayatri Gole
Nancy Hughes
Beth Morgan
Emily Thorpe
India Whitty
Katie Wolfe
Preview provided by Middlesex Women's content Co-ordinator, Georgia Isaac
