Having been crowned national champions last weekend, when beating London rivals Surrey to lift the D40 Quest title, Middlesex brought their season to an end yesterday down in Southampton, where they took on Hampshire in the final match of the season.
With last week's celebrations behind them, it was back to business for Middlesex's D40 side, who had their sights set on finishing the season unbeaten.
Southern Gardens was the venue for the final clash, and the hosts, Hampshire, began the day by winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The new ball was taken by Middlesex's Mohammad Farooq and Jai Charan, and both quicks started well, striking in their opening spells to reduce the hosts to 22 for 2 in the sixth over of the innings.
A revival was then forged by Hampshire, who added 84 for the third wicket before Matthew Jones struck with his spin, dismissing McKenzie for a fine knock of 66.
Hampshire number four, Henry Schooling, who had added that 84 partnership with McKenzie, was still going well, although at the other end things couldn't have been more contrasting, as wickets fell at regular intervals, without any other batsman getting into double figures!
The Hampshire innings petered out, with Schooling left stranded on 42 not out, as the hosts were bowled out for 173.
Jones finished as the pick of the Middlesex bowlers, with figures of 3 for 32, with Farooq also shining, picking up 2 for 24. Wickets were then shared equally between Charan, Fraser Church, Connor Flaunty and Haroon Rashid, who picked up one apiece.
In reply, a brilliant 60 from Umesh Valjee and 41 for George Greenway were the standout innings in Middlesex's run chase, as the victory target was reached with almost ten overs of the game to spare.
It was a superb end to Middlesex's season, who finish the campaign unbeaten, and crowned champions of the Quest league for the first time in their history.
Congratulations to everyone involved on such a great achievement.
