Stephen Eskinazi is hoping to be ‘Mr Versatility’ in Middlesex’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.
Despite only making his List A debut in last week’s defeat to Essex, the South African-born right-hander isn’t simply looking to establish himself in one particular role.
As if to prove the point the 24-year-old slipped seamlessly from opener to No. 3 in Sunday’s 70-run win over Kent where he served as a useful foil to centurion Paul Stirling in a stand of 102 for the second wicket.
And Eskinazi won’t be fazed if asked to play a third different role in Wednesday’s trip to Glamorgan, believing the more adaptable you are, the more secure your spot in the XI.
“For me, if I can show the ability to play a couple of different roles, hopefully that adds more value than just a set-in-stone place in the order,” he said.
“I am genuinely excited to play any role which is asked of me. I would be just as comfortable batting five or six as in the top three.”
Eskinazi notes it is not just him who needs to be flexible if the Lord’s tenants are to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since the 50-over format was reintroduced into the domestic calendar in 2014.
Steven Finn’s side batted first in both matches at Radlett after winning the toss, but Eskinazi knows they won’t always have that luxury and so need to adapt accordingly.
“We are not going to say we are a chasing side or a setting side or these guys are going to do the batting and this is where they are going to bat,” he said.
“I think it is going to be a little bit more fluid with guys understanding their role isn’t necessarily set in stone. There is an understanding you may play one role one day and a different one in the next game.
“That is the way the white-ball game is going now. You might be 70-0 in one game and 30-3 in the next. So, you have to be ready to tackle any situation.”
The visit to Glamorgan marks the first of three away matches this week. Friday sees Middlesex take on Sussex Sharks at Hove before they head west again to Taunton on Sunday to face Somerset.
Eskinazi is aware the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ nature of the Royal London Cup means wherever he’s asked to bat and regardless of whether they are setting or chasing, Middlesex must carry the momentum from the Kent win into their road-trip.
“We are looking forward to getting on a bit of a roll because it is a short tournament, he added. “Within 10-14 days you can be in or out.”
