After a good opening pre-season encounter down in Southampton earlier this week at the Utilita Bowl against Hampshire, Middlesex Men are in pre-season action again over the weekend, as we take on London rivals Surrey in a two-day red-ball encounter.
First Team Coach, Richard Johnson, makes just one change to the squad of twelve that played against Hampshire, with top order batter Leus du Plooy added to the squad, to make up the thirteen who will feature against Surrey.
There were plenty of positives to come from the opening pre-season encounter across Monday and Tuesday of this week, not least of all the early form shown by Stephen Eskinazi, who smashed three maximums and 18 fours on his way to notching the first hundred of 2025, eventually falling for a well-worked 110 off 153 balls, before being trapped in front by Liam Dawson. The knock was all the more impressive given the tough batting conditions the players had to contend with on a green wicket in mid-March!
Early runs also came for opener Nathan Fernandes, who played well and batted patiently for his 38, whilst Jack Davies (34) and Max Holden (67) also spent valuable time at the crease on a wicket that batters never really looked set on, with Zafar Gohar adding a useful 22 down the order. All this saw Middlesex post 337 in the day and walk off the park satisfied with their efforts.
With the ball there were even more positives to enjoy, as Henry Brookes bowled brilliantly with the new ball, and picked up figures of 3 for 39 from 14 overs and looked dangerous throughout, whilst fellow new-ball partner Toby Roland-Jones looked as consistent as ever, returning miserly figures of 1 for 22 from 15 overs.
Blake Cullen bowled with pace and aggression and looked in terrific rhythm - picking up the wicket of Tom Prest and finishing with figures of 1 for 31, whilst Ryan Higgins, as reliable as ever, proved unplayable at times, challenging the off stump at all times and being rewarded with figures of 4 for 18 from 15 economical overs.
Some tidy overs of spin from Zafar Gohar rounded off a terrific two days for Middlesex, with the spinner finishing with figures of 0 for 33 from his 10 overs, as Hampshire managed to post just 160 for 9 in reply.
The forthcoming two-day clash against Surrey completes Middlesex’s pre-season preparations, ahead of the Rothesay County Championship getting underway next Friday, just a week from today, when Lancashire arrive at Lord’s for the opening four day encounter of the season.
Both day's play will get underway this weekend at 10.30am, and we hope you’re able to join us at Merchant Taylors’ School over the next two days, with all spectators welcome. Please be aware however that as this is a pre-season friendly, spectator facilities are limited. Limited seating is available, so you are more than welcome to bring your own comfy chairs with you, and we would ask all spectators to enter the school via the Askew Road entrance and make their way to the Main School pitch where the game is taking place. Parking is available for all spectators, on the grass, behind the school cricket pavilion. Spectator toilet facilities will be available and there will be a coffee van selling refreshments. We look forward to welcoming you to Northwood.
Middlesex has named the following 13-man squad for this weekend’s clash…
Unfortunately, with this game being a pre-season friendly, the Club will not be live streaming this match.
Middlesex
Surrey
