Cricket Wales were no match for Middlesex's D40 First Eleven on Sunday, as at William Perkin School in Greenford, Middlesex secured a comprehensive seven wicket win, with over 25 overs of the match to spare.
Middlesex skipper James Nordin won the toss and had no hesitation in sticking the opposition in, and he and Mohammed Farooq took the new ball. Farooq struck in just the fourth over of the innings to dismiss one of the Welsh openers, with Nordin accounting for the other in the seventh over, as the visitors fell to 19 for 2.
It was a start that they really never recovered from, as regular wickets fell throughout the innings, with only three of the visitors' batters reaching double figures. Kester Sainsbury was the pick of the Middlesex bowling attack, picking up 3 for 20 from 7.5 economical overs, whilst two wickets apiece from Farooq and Matt Jones, and one apiece from Nordin and Moazzam Rashid saw the visitors bowled out for just 89 inside 30 overs.
In reply to the visitors modest total, Middlesex's openers, Umesh Valjee and Naseer Butt, added a quickfire 49 for the opening wicket before Butt was trapped in front by Alex Lloyds for 19 in the 8th overs. Nordin came in at three, however fell the very next ball for a golden duck. With Valjee falling shortly after, with only one further run added, Middlesex, who had been 49 without loss, found themselves on 50 for 3, and the Welshmen had prised the door open ever so slightly.
It was promptly slammed shut however, as Connor Flaunty and Farooq guided Middlesex quickly to victory, reaching the target in just the fifteenth over of the innings, to secure a third straight win for the side and cement their position at the top of the table.
Middlesex's D40 First Eleven are next in action on Sunday 23rd June, when we'll take on Hampshire Disability in a top of the table clash, with Hampshire currently sat in second place in the Quest League table, twenty points behind Middlesex and also still unbeaten.
Middlesex's D40 First Eleven's record is also matched by the Club's D40 Second Eleven, who are also unbeaten in the Pursuit League, with both sides proudly sitting on top of their respective league tables. The Second Eleven look to protect their unbeaten start to 2024 next weekend, when we take on London rivals Surrey, who sit second in the League table.
Middlesex Disability D40 1st XI
Wales
