Middlesex have named a squad of thirteen for tonight's Vitality Blast encounter in Canterbury, where we'll take on the Kent Spitfires, with just one change made to the squad that travelled to the Kia Oval last night to take on Surrey, as Thilan Walallawita comes in to replace Tom Helm.
It was a night to remember in South London, as the side ended their losing run, and ended it in real style, in a brutal display of batting that broke records in front of the live Sky Cameras..
Our London rivals Surrey were left absolutely stunned in defeat, as we successfully recorded the largest ever run chase in Blast history, and the second highest run chase in the history of the format anywhere in the world!
Middlesex's run chase of 254 for 3 was simply brilliant, as Captain Stephen Eskinazi led the charge from the front, smashing 73 off just 39 balls, hitting the fence 13 times and clearing the ropes once.
Where Eskinazi led, others followed, and the knocks of Joe Cracknell (36 off 16 balls), Max Holden (68* off 35), Ryan Higgins (48 off 24), and Jack Davies (11* off 3) were all equally important in the chase.
Man of the Match Holden especially stood out, holding his nerve as we closed in on the target in a thoroughly composed knock. It was Jack Davies who got us over the line however, nonchalantly scooping Gus Atkinson over fine leg for six off the first ball of the final over, off just the second ball he had faced, and then despatching the next ball to the fence through backward point to cue some incredible and memorable scenes.
The relief was clear for all to see, and it was vindication for the batting plans that Middlesex have been working so hard all year to deliver. The purpose and manner with which Middlesex went about their chase was wonderful to watch, and if this performance with the bat is anything to go by, then the plan is clearly coming together and promises plenty.
Tonight we must reset, recharge, and go again, as the side will be looking to build on last night's win and finish the campaign in style, to re-build the confidence and pride that had taken such a denting throughout the losing run.
The Spitfires got the better of us at Lord's a week ago, on another night where Middlesex smashed above 200 with the bat, however much like last night, it was with the ball where we weren't at our best.
With the batting clearly showing huge signs of improvement, we'll be looking to get things right with the ball in Canterbury to restrict the Kent batters, in the hope that we can build a winning run to close out the competition.
Kent come into the clash in a rich vein of form, having shaken off a poor start to the campaign themselves, which saw them sat near the foot of the South Group table, to win their last five Blast encounters and put themselves in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
If Middlesex can back up last night's performance with anything similar tonight, it promises to be an exciting encounter down in Canterbury, although Kent's recent winning run has taken Michael Hogan and Grant Stewart into the top ten wicket-takers in this year's competition, with 21 and 17 wickets respectively, and Daniel Bell-Drummond into the top five run-scorers, with 476 runs at 52.88.
Middlesex will have their work cut out at the St Lawrence Ground tonight, and it promises to be a belter.
Middlesex's squad for tonight's clash is as follows:
Kent Spitfires
Middlesex
