Middlesex return to Radlett tomorrow where they'll be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats on the road this past week at the hands of Sussex and Kent in the Vitality Blast.
After three consecutive victories to open up their campaign, Middlesex went to Hove last Friday looking to make it four from four, however in a closely fought encounter the tight margins of the short format of the game saw the pendulum swing in Sussex's favour as the hosts ran out winners by five wickets. Whilst the Sussex game could easily have gone Middlesex's way, it was a very different story yesterday down in Canterbury, as a Joe Denly masterclass saw his side run out easy winners by 55 runs in a game that Middlesex never really got into.
On a used wicket, most batsman struggled, however Denly hit a superbly crafter hundred, and looked at times to be batting on a completely different surface from everyone else, as his knock of 110 off just 58 balls saw Kent post 192 in their 20 overs. Needing almost ten an over from the outset, Middlesex struggled from the get go, and tight spells from each of the Kent spin bowlers saw the required run rate steadily climb to an unmanageable level. The loss of regular wickets further hampered the chase as the Middlesex batters looked to go long and clear the ropes, only to find fielders in the deep. Middlesex's chase ended disappointingly on 137 for the loss of eight wickets, and a 55 run defeat did their net run rate no favours at all.
Middlesex still remain in third place in the South Group table however and tomorrow head back to Radlett, where they have already run out winners twice, and they'll be hoping for more of the same as Hampshire come to the Brunton Memorial Ground - with the Seaxes looking to do the double over Hampshire this season, having already beaten them on their own patch.
Hampshire won for the first time in five outings on Saturday when beating Sussex down at the Ageas Bowl although still remain bottom of the group, sitting below Sussex on net run rate.
Hampshire Captain James Vince set up his side's victory on Saturday, with a top-scoring knock of 65 off 41, and as as always he will pose a significant threat at the top of the visitors' order. With Middlesex coming unstuck at the hands of two of the English games' most experienced T20 players recently, in Ravi Bopara on Friday, and Joe Denly on Sunday, they'll be desperate to avoid it happening again tomorrow at the hands of Vince.
Middlesex name a thirteen man squad for the clash tomorrow, with just one change to the thirteen named to face Kent, as Toby Roland-Jones returns to the squad to replace Max Harris, with the former rested for the trip to Canterbury. Eoin Morgan is close to a return, although misses out tomorrow, as he continues to recover from a mild groin injury, whilst Tom Helm gets closer to fitness as each day passes, as it won't be long before the paceman gets a recall.
Middlesex have named the following thirteen man squad to face Kent tomorrow:
The Middlesex versus Hampshire match starts at 4.30pm, and forms part of a T20 double-header, with Sunrisers taking on Southern Vipers at 11.30am. Make sure you're with us for the day and catch two games for the price of one.
Middlesex
Hampshire Hawks
