Middlesex face top of the table Hampshire away at Andover Cricket Club tomorrow in a crucial match in the last round of the Royal London One Day Cup. The visitors are fighting to remain in Division One, while the hosts chase the Title.
Middlesex's opening partnership of skipper Naomi Dattani and vice Natasha Miles will be hoping to bat through the first ten overs once again to lay a good foundation for the team. Dattani is in good form and will be looking to pick up where she left off in a mid-week T20 for the Sir Paul Getty XI, scoring a quick-fire 41.
The experienced Beth Morgan and Fran Wilson are likely to bat three and four, with Sophia Dunkley at five and Maia Bouchier six. This is a strong line-up, with Bouchier Middlesex's leading run scorer to date (144 at 36), and if Middlesex can enjoy a few strong partnerships then they should be looking at a good, defendable total if batting first.
In the bowling department, Hayleigh Brennan will lead the attack and should be confident going into the match after recording economical figures of 10-3-14-2 against Nottinghamshire last weekend. Fellow seamer Katie Wolfe looks set to open from the opposite end, while Dattani offers Middlesex a left-arm option and Dunkley, Emma Albery and Bhavika Gajipra form a strong spin department with Morgan in reserve as a part-timer.
Though it is unlikely Suzie Bates will feature due New Zealand commitments, if she does she will be a key component of the hosts' side with both bat and ball. Last week, against a strong Lancashire side she scored an unbeaten 103, which included nine fours and brought her season tally to 339, which shows Bates will be a prized wicket.
Recent England debutant Katie George is the hosts' second leading wicket-taker with nine at 14.67 and the left-arm seamer will be hoping to add to her haul to boost her chances of making this summer's England squads. Fi Morris has topped Hampshire's bowling rankings with 13 at 11.92 and is likely to play an important role in the match.
Former England captain Charlotte Edwards leads Hampshire and though she is batting down the order, often around six, it is her cricket brain which is perhaps more of a threat as she knows how to win tough games.
The match looks to be an exciting contest as Hampshire have a chance of winning the Title in their first season in Division One, while Middlesex need to win be certain of a spot in the top flight next year. The game starts at 11am and is free entry.
Middlesex Squad
Naomi Dattani (c)
Emma Albery
Maia Bouchier
Hayleigh Brennan
Sophia Dunkley
Bhavika Gajipra
Iqraa Hussain
Nancy Hughes
Natasha Miles
Beth Morgan
Fran Wilson
Katie Wolfe
Hampshire
Middlesex Women - do not use
