Fourth-placed Middlesex face Wales who are third on the table at Pontarddulais Cricket Club in Swansea on Sunday in what looks set to be a close encounter between strong sides.
Sophia Dunkley, Natasha Miles, Beth Morgan and Olivia Rae are four in form Middlesex batters who have all enjoyed scores of 40+ in the past week. Leading run-scorer Dunkley and vice captain Miles scored 51 and 44 respectively to rebuild Middlesex's innings as the openers fell early in pursuit of 172 for victory against Durham last Sunday. Morgan ensured their chase was successful finishing unbeaten on 44, once again providing stability in the middle order. Rae did not bat against Durham but played for MCC against Malvern College during the week, top scoring with 60 - an innings which included eight fours.
Young quick Gayatri Gole is likely to lead the attack, with seamer Katie Wolfe opening up from the other end. Gole has a good economy rate of 2.57 which has been key in applying pressure from ball one and Wolfe was also economical last week finishing with figures of 2-20 from her seven overs. If the batters are looking comfortable facing right-armers, captain Naomi Dattani might opt to bring herself on sooner rather than later to see if a change in angle can get a wicket to add to her season tally of five. In the spin department leggie Dunkley, Middlesex's leading wicket with seven at an average of just 7.29, and should be confident following a strong performance which saw her return figures of 10-3-18-4 against Durham. Offspinner Emma Albery will likely bowl in tandem Dunkley and has a good economy rate of 2.94.
Three important players for Wales are New Zealand international Rachel Priest, Gabby Basketter and Claire Nicholas. Priest is quick behind the stumps and an explosive opening batter who has struck 130 runs at 43.33 this season. Allrounder Basketter opens alongside Priest, averaging 21.00, and has proven a useful bowler, delivering economical spells claiming four wickets at 13.00. Fellow spinner Nicholas is Wales' leading wicket-taker with six at 13.17 and is an economical bowler Middlesex might need to negotiate carefully.
With two fairly evenly matched sides on show, head down to Pontarddulais CC on Sunday at 11am to watch a tightly fought contest.
Contributed by Georgia Isaac, Middlesex Women’s Media Assistant
Middlesex Squad
Naomi Dattani (C)
Emma Albery
Sophia Dunkley
Bhavika Gajipra
Gayatri Gole
Cordelia Griffith
Iqraa Hussain (WK)
Natasha Miles
Beth Morgan
Sonali Patel
Olivia Rae
Katie Wolfe
Cricket Wales Womens 1st XI
Middlesex Women 1st XI
