Disappointing season continues for Middlesex

Will Middlesex ever learn from their mistakes for the fifth time this season out of eight games, asks Mark Caswell?

Ryan Higgins, Middlesex CCC in action during Middlesex CCC vs Kent CCC, LV Insurance County Championship Division 1 Cricket at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 27th April 2023

Will Middlesex ever learn from their mistakes for the fifth time this season out of eight games? They put the opposition into bat, concede 400 plus runs and lost the game comfortably.

Top of the table Surrey were comfortable winners being on top throughout this game, playing a good Lords wicket.

The ball did swing throughout the game, but once the visitors from South London posted 433 in their first innings, Middlesex were always going to struggle against a relentless fast bowling attack.

Max Holden 55 and the reliable John Simpson (captain for this game ) 60 gave the struggling home teams total a bit of respectability and were asked to follow on – a slight improvement on their first innings but a final total of 272 left Surrey to require 78 for victory, achieved in 11.1 overs, with rain threatening 20 minutes before the storm.

Tim Helm was outstanding recording match figures of 8–147, the ever improving Josh DeCaires 30 no and 31 provided some resistance.

Just two batting points have been gained so far this season, that now moves on to the Royal London 50 over competition which starts next Tuesday (1st August) at the Rosebowl v Hampshire. A friendly game v Berkshire at Falkland CC beckons this Sunday – maybe they could have a look at Euan Woods and Dan Lincoln who have the ability to improve and would be available to Middlesex!

The following match, the bottom two teams played out an exciting tied game. Middlesex’s frustrating poor season is continued with a tied game against fellow strugglers Northants.

Despite bowling out the visitors Northants for 219, wickets equally shared around by Middlesex five man attack. Middlesex replied with a total of 277 recording only their second batting point of the season, the consistent player of the season (to date) Ryan Higgins hitting an unbeaten 64, and useful contributions from Mark Stoneman 51 and Max Holden 41.

On a good Merchants Taylor School batting wicket, the visitors went on to score 380 in their second innings: Tim Helm 3-75 setting Middlesex 323 to win in 92 overs.

Opening batter Sam Robson finally found some form with a superb undefeated 126, and John Simpson 75, other useful contributors cane from Holden 37, and captain Toby Rowland-Jones 34. The home team required 10 runs off the last over then coming down to 3 off the last ball, as Robson could only manage a scampered two to mid off.

The tied result will do nothing to help both teams who currently occupy the bottom two places, 11 points off 3rd from bottom Kent, will look to take advantage with their game in hand.

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