MIDDLESEX NAME SQUADS FOR TWO-DAY FRIENDLY VS SURREY

MIDDLESEX SQUADS FOR TWO-DAY FRIENDLY VS SURREY

Having successfully completed a two-day intra-club warm-up match behind closed doors at Radlett earlier this week, Middlesex head to the Kia Oval tomorrow to resume rivalries with Surrey in a two-day friendly warm-up encounter.

Much like the club’s recent run-out at Radlett, the game is being played as part of the club’s ongoing preparation for a competitive return to action next weekend in the Bob Willis Trophy, to give bowlers the opportunity to increase their workloads and batsmen the chance to spend time at the crease.

Both days will constitute 90 overs of red-ball cricket, with it already determined that Middlesex will be bowling on day one of the game and batting on day two.

Head Coach Stuart Law has subsequently named a bowler biased squad for Sunday and a batsmen biased squad for Monday, who will both be led by newly appointed four-day captain Stephen Eskinazi.

The match is the game’s first Government pilot event to trial bringing limited crowds back into elite sporting venues, with 1,000 lucky spectators getting the opportunity to witness the summer’s first piece of live domestic cricket action, including 100 Middlesex members. It is hoped that a successful trial event at the Kia Oval over the next two days will help pave the way for further relaxation of the Government behind closed doors restrictions later in the season.

Several players head into the Kia Oval having made the most of their opportunities in the intra-club warm-up at Radlett, with Eskinazi himself spending good time in the middle on Day one, hitting a fine unbeaten 73, whilst seamers James Harris and Blake Cullen were impressive with the ball, picking up three wickets apiece. Day two belonged to Max Holden, who batted brilliantly on his way to an unbeaten 149. Law will have been impressed with the way many of his players came through the encounter, with plenty of positives to take away from it after such a long period away from the game.

Members and supporters not at the Kia Oval watching the game will be able to enjoy a stream of the game, provided by Surrey, which will be available to view on the Middlesex website from tomorrow morning.

Middlesex have named the following squads for the two-day friendly…

Sunday 26^th July 2020

Stephen Eskinazi (c)

Martin Andersson

Miguel Cummins

Nick Gubbins

James Harris

Max Holden

Tom Lace

Tim Murtagh

Sam Robson

Toby Roland-Jones

John Simpson (wk)

Nathan Sowter

Thilan Walallawita

Monday 27th July 2020