Excitement is growing for the annual London Cup fixture between Middlesex Women and Surrey Women at Radlett CC!
Supporters will be able to watch the game through the live stream on the Middlesex YouTube channel - which will be available on the home page of the website, giving supporters every chance to watch all of the action.
Spectators are encouraged to watch the game from their home or at their club.
Fixture details: Radlett Cricket Club, Wednesday 23 June, 5.00 pm start
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT
Middlesex have named a squad of thirteen for tomorrow's clash...
Naomi Dattani, Gunnersbury
Amara Carr, Gunnersbury
Kate Coppack, Harrow St Marys
Bhavika Gajipra, Harrow St Marys
Gayatri Gole, Gunnersbury (North Middlesex men)
Cordelia Griffith, Gunnersbury
Iqraa Hussain, Ickenham
Gemma Marriott, no Middlesex club
Natasha Miles, Gunnersbury
Sonali Patel, Harrow St Marys
Lucy Porter, Gunnersbury
Emily Thorpe, Ickenham
Katie Wolfe, Ickenham
THE HISTORY OF THE LONDON CUP - YEAR BY YEAR
The London Cup, as it is known today, was initially known as the Pemberton Greenish Cup, and was created as an annual T20 fixture between both London Women's county sides, with the original clash being played back in 2015.
The annual showpiece fixture, played for the first two years at the Oval, and then at alternating home venues, started in 2015 and has been a highlight of the Women's domestic season ever since, as both London rivals battle it out for London bragging rights.
Original fixture - 18th May 2015 - The Oval
Middlesex took the honours in the opening encounter, when a quickfire 46 from Fran Wilson and an important 28 from Anna Nichols helped Middlesex to a total of 126 for 7 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Surrey never got going, as Danni Warren and Alex Hartley kept control with the ball to restrict the home side's batters, going for just 13 and 10 runs respectively from their four overs. Only a knock of 34 from Bryony Smith saved the hosts from a complete annihilation. Her innings, could only drag Surrey to 101 in their chase however, as Middlesex lifted the trophy, running out winners by 25 runs.
Year Two - 24th May 2016 - The Oval
Middlesex again got the better of Surrey in 2016, defending their title at the Oval.
Winning the toss and batting first, Middlesex lost early wickets, however a rapid 31 off just 17 balls from Beth Morgan upped the run rate, and useful knocks from Middlesex skipper Izzy Westbury (22 off 19 balls) and India Whitty down the order (14 for 12 balls) took Middlesex to a defendable total of 123 in their 20 overs.
With the ball Middlesex had Holly Huddlestone, Alex Hartley and Sophia Dunkley to thank, who each picked up two wickets, as the Surrey chase never really got going.
Alex Travers' top score of 18 was the highlight for the hosts, as they could only muster 88 in their reply, to see Middlesex again lift the trophy, winning by 25 runs and repeat their efforts from a year ago. 2-0 to Middlesex!
Year Three - 11th May 2017 - Radlett CC
Year three saw the London Cup, as it was now known, played out on Middlesex home soil for the first time, and it was Middlesex Captain Natasha Miles who stole the show, hitting a half century and winning the player of the match award as the hosts made it three from three in the annual London rivals clash.
Losing the toss and having been put into bat, Miles was undeterred, and hit a beautiful fifty, supported by Beth Morgan with a rapid knock of 40 to take Middlesex to what is still a record total in the fixture - a commanding 150 in their 20 overs.
In what was the closest London Cup encounter yet, Surrey's chase looked well on course, and they went into the final over needing eleven runs for victory or ten to tie the game.
Holly Huddlestone had the honours for Middlesex and duly delivered, going for just seven runs off the final over to see her side to another title, winning this tight affair by just 3 runs.
Three nil to Middlesex, who again claimed the London Cup crown.
Year Four - 22nd May 2018 - Guildford
Middlesex made it four out of four in the London Cup, as they ran out winners of the annual clash by 7 wickets in Guildford.
Surrey won the toss and elected to bat first, and had Bryony Smith to thank, with 44 off 39 balls, as they put on 123 in their innings. Eva Gray's 16 was the second highest score of their innings, as tight bowling from Hayley Brennan and Naomi Dattani restricted the hosts' charge.
Middlesex opener Naomi Dattani shone in Middlesex's reply, hitting a fine match winning knock of 52, putting on 60 for the first wicket of the visitors' reply with Natasha Miles, who batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 28.
A typically calm 21 from Beth Morgan got Middlesex close, and it was left to Amara Carr and Miles to see their side over the line, hitting the winning runs with an over to spare to again bring the London Cup to Middlesex.
Year Five - 29th May 2019 - Lord's Cricket Ground
The fifth year of the London Cup saw Middlesex Women make their debut on the hallowed turf of Lord's in an historic match that rain very nearly put the mockers on.
Heavy rain around St John's Wood curtailed the Surrey innings after just seven overs, when they'd reached 28 for 3 before the innings was brought to a close. The stand out bowler for Middlesex was Katie Wolfe, who claimed figures of 1 for 6 from her two overs.
A break in the rain showers presented Middlesex with the opportunity to chase victory when the players returned, with a revised DLS target of 26 needed from 5 overs.
Despite early wicket falling, as Middlesex lost their top four batters for scores of 2 or less, Natasha Miles held firm, with an unbeaten 8, to hit a single off the final ball of the match to secure an historic victory again for Middlesex, seeing them go five nil up in the annual clash.
The honours most definitely belonged to Middlesex at the Home of Cricket.
Year Six - 22nd July 2020 - The Oval
Last year, the game returned to the Oval again, and in a Covid hit year, it was the first domestic women's game to be played after the Coronavirus lockdown.
Middlesex elected to bat first, having won the toss, and posted 108 for 7 in their 20 overs, with Cordelia Griffith (30) and Gayatri Gole (28*) top scoring for the visitors.
In reply, Surrey's chase was measured to perfection, and for the first time in six years they got over the line, hitting the winning runs with just one ball to spare to claim a four wicket victory and lift the London Cup trophy.
Emily Thorpe's 2 for 11 from her four overs saw her standout from the rest, although her efforts proved to be in vain.
Year Seven - 23rd June 2021 - Radlett CC
It's back to Radlett this year, with Middlesex leading 5-1 in the London Cup and everything to play for at the Brunton Memorial Ground as Middlesex look for revenge against their rivals Surrey!
Don't miss any of the action, with the game live streamed on Middlesex's YouTube channel and available to watch on the Middlesex website.
It promises to be a thrilling encounter.
