Middlesex thread

[Shelsey93]

Thought I'd continue to add to the growing number of county threads. Hopefully there will be somebody to chat away with in here!

I'll be following Middlesex this year for deepextracover.com . I'll be attending their press day on Monday and hopefully grabbing some interviews, will be at some of the home matches and will be 'live blogging' for some of the others too. If anyone has any questions they'd like me to ask on Monday please post them here - I'm told there is a good chance I'll get to speak to Paul Stirling, Toby Roland-Jones and Steve Finn (although I might have to queue for the latter!).

My thoughts are that whilst one-day cricket could be a bit difficult, Middx do have a real chance in the Championship. The seam bowling looks really strong and the batting strong enough. The biggest question mark is over the spin bowling on dry pitches.

[guildfordbat]

Thought I'd continue to add to the growing number of county threads. Hopefully there will be somebody to chat away with in here!

Shelsey - I'm sure the Surrey boys will be happy to pop in for a word whenever Middlesex have a bad day!

More seriously, I think you'll do fine. Certainly a strong seam attack.

[Shelsey93]

Here is my article from yesterday's press day - http://deepextracover.com/home/middlesex-quietly-confident-ahead-of-new-campaign/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Toby Roland-Jones made some interesting comments about the England Lions - didn't think it went well for him and described it as 'a team of individuals'.

[guildfordbat]

Shelsey - as ever, a polished and informative article.

As you say, interesting comments from Roland-Jones. Wonder if his card will be marked.

I noticed you didn't raise your earlier concern (on here) about the inexperience of the spin bowlers. Is that just because it didn't crop up at the press day or are you (understandably, I would emphasise) trying not to fall out with the Club so early on?

Also, would I be right in thinking you get a bonus for every reference to 'Deep Extra Cover' you work into the article?

[Shelsey93]

Ha! None of the people I spoke to were really the people to ask about spin bowling unfortunately! Might have slipped it in with Roland-Jones but had to run to get some quotes from Finn, who was conducting a group Q and A on the other side of the room.

I did wonder whether TRJ's card would be marked. Clearly seems to be very comfortable at Middlesex, but perhaps a little bit unsure of himself at a higher level. He also commented that he couldn't have imagined himself getting to the Lions a few years ago. Of course, I guess he also doesn't want to be falsely positive about a tour which was, quite frankly, a disaster - 7-zip on the pitch (including the warm-ups) and with Stokes and Coles sent home too. But I was surprised that he didn't give me a bunch of cliches about 'taking the positives' and 'learning from the experience'.

[Mike Selig]

Middlesex have the core of a very strong squad, but there are a couple of issues:
- guildford has raised the problem of finding a spin bowler, and in particular one who will pose an attacking threat. It is an unfortunate and unnecessary consequence of the way the game is played nowadays (not only the prominence of the limited overs format, but also the attacking styles employed by batsmen in the longer format and with it the wish for a fielding captain to control the run-rate) that a lot of young spinners seem to feel obliged to play a principally containing role, and have a tendency to fire the ball in. I commented last year after watching Middlesex play Essex in a 40 over game that on a pitch offering a fair amount of turn and bounce, of 4 spinners employed only 1 tossed the ball up at all, and even then only too infrequently. There were encouraging signs from Patel last year, but he is very untested still.
- the batting remains brittle. It shouldn't be. Malan, Robson, Denly, Morgan, Dexter, these are all very talented players at county level who could feasibly push for higher honors (although Denly seems to have fallen off the radar, and Dexter is probably not good enough, the other 3 certainly for me have the ability to play international cricket), but don't seem able to back up their undoubted talent with anywhere near enough consistency. Simpson had a horror season last year, which I don't expect him to repeat. There is quality all down the line, but they really need to start performing more regularly.

Having said that, there are very few (if any) county sides who can boast a first choice seam attack as good as Roland-Jones, Murtagh and Harris (excluding all likely England players), with back-up from Berg, and Collymore and a couple of youngsters waiting in the wings.

If this Middlesex side clicks, they could challenge on most fronts (although I think T20 will be beyond them again). On the other hand if the batting has an off-day they can lose to anyone from almost any position (as they showed last year on a couple of occasions). Another interesting season in prospect.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Shelsey - good article....agree an interesting quote from R-J - not usual diet of non informative positives everyone would be inclined to spout before the start of a new season.

[Shelsey93]

For the match at Notts tomorrow a 12 man squad has been named. Gurjit Sandhu is the surprise addition but will almost certainly be 12th man.

That would leave the XI as:

Chris Rogers (c)
Sam Robson
Joe Denly
Dawid Malan
Neil Dexter
John Simpson (wk)
Gareth Berg
Ollie Rayner
Tim Murtagh
James Harris
Toby Roland-Jones

Must have been tempting to pick Collymore and play 4 seamers but instead he's been skippering the 2s at Radlett. I guess with Berg and Dexter to contribute some overs they felt they didn't need the extra seam.

The batting line-up is extraordinary long... Rayner has a FC 100 and 9, 10 and 11 are all very reasonable batsmen.

[Shelsey93]

So, a winning start.

Slight question mark over Harris's fitness. Apparently its not serious, but I wouldn't be surprised if Finn replaces him on Wednesday.

If Harris is 100% fit Middx could well play six seamers, including Dexter. Rayner is a little surplus to requirements and so you could argue that Finn could replace him.

Some might suggest we should shift the balance but Gus won't do that - he's very much a consistency of selection type straight out of the Flower/ Strauss/ Cook school. Expect Paul Stirling and Adam Rossington to remain benched then.

[Guest]

If rayner gets left out then stirling should come into the somewhere....would be silly to go in with no spin option at all, even at this early stage of the season.

[Shelsey93]

Middlesex haven't announced a squad yet but Paul Stirling and Corey Collymore are both playing the 4-day 2nd XI game against Sussex 2s.

Thus, I can deduce from that that the team is likely to be unchanged apart from Finn for Harris or Rayner.

I'll be at Lord's for the first three days of this match doing updates for Deep Extra Cover. I've also written a preview piece which should be up on the site soon. My prediction is that Middlesex's attack should be too strong for Derbys unless Shiv does something special.

[Shelsey93]

Angus Fraser made some interesting comments about Steven Finn's progress after the Derbyshire game (Finn himself is not allowed to talk to the media during county games due to ECB regulations restricting the workload of central contracted players).

I couldn't fit most of the interview with Gus into my report, but Cricinfo's Alan Gardner who I conducted the interview with jointly has written it up as a full article - http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2013/content/story/631213.html .

One of the great things about covering county cricket is that (apart from central contracted players) the media get access to players and staff that I can't imagine you'd get an any other sport.

[guildfordbat]

Angus Fraser made some interesting comments about Steven Finn's progress after the Derbyshire game (Finn himself is not allowed to talk to the media during county games due to ECB regulations restricting the workload of central contracted players).

I couldn't fit most of the interview with Gus into my report, but Cricinfo's Alan Gardner who I conducted the interview with jointly has written it up as a full article - http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2013/content/story/631213.html .

One of the great things about covering county cricket is that (apart from central contracted players) the media get access to players and staff that I can't imagine you'd get an any other sport.

Shelsey - ineteresting and informative interview by you and Alan Gardner.

Commenting on your last point first - as well as the good aaccess in cricket to players and coaches, you also have the advantage in that the vast majority of those you're talking to are decent people with a grip on reality similar to most of us, unlike certain other sports and particularly your own number one bugbear of football.

Gus Fraser certainly falls into the 'good guys' category. I had a chat with him during a rain interruption at the Guildford Festival a couple of years ago when Surrey were playing Middlesex. Pleasant, generous with his time, informative and a fine sense of humour (took the proverbial out of Surrey coach and Guildford boy Martin Bicknell who was apparently trying to impress both teams with his specialised knowledge of local weather conditions!).

As for the article itself, particularly noted Fraser's comments about the short-run desired by England for Finn: '... We'll support him. England are very keen that he does it and ultimately he's their player.' Appears to be quite a contrast there with Surrey's current approach with Tremlett. Widely reported that Flower phoned Adams last week to find out why he wasn't in the CC opener. Vic Marks in this weekend's Observer suggested Surrey and England were 'not as one'.

[Shelsey93]

Yes, although Fraser pretty much said that he didn't agree with the short run (as much as he could have said without actually saying so!).

However, his point was that he was there to support Steven Finn and that with Finn set on the shorter run he was willing to help him with that.

Vic Marks used a terrific line in his report discussing Tremlett:

'Tremlett, it seems, is becoming the nuclear option. It is recognised that he has great potency but no one dares use him.'

It was always going to be hard for him to get back into the Surrey team, although it was surprising that it was a second spinner than kept him out!

And you are completely right re football - I can't imagine that footballers at any level are as generous with interviews as county cricketers.

[Shelsey93]

James Harris has been included in the squad to play Cambridge MCCU (it had initially been said he'd probably be rested for this one too).

Its quite a strong squad actually. Dexter, Denly, Malan, Rayner and Harris from the first choice XI are all in whilst Stirling, Collymore, Patel and Rossington get to press their claims. Making up the numbers are Helm, London and Sandhu but I suspect they're all some way from the first team.

[Shelsey93]

Bad news for Middx with Rogers in the Ashes squad. My guess is that Voges (currently T20 only) will extend his deal to cover for Rogers whilst he's away. Dexter has been making some noises about being keen to skipper again, so he'll take over.

Some of that might be confirmed later today as Middlesex have called a press conference for 12noon at which both Rogers and Gus Fraser will be speaking.

[Shelsey93]

The deal to keep Voges whilst Rogers is away is close to completion. So close to completion, in fact, that Middlesex were willing to release a statement saying so (which I'd have thought is quite unusual...).

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Robson in good form for Middlesex - following up century against Surrey with unbeaten 136 against Warks.

[Shelsey93]

Very good young player - he was a key part of Middx getting promoted, and has now been awesome so far this year after a quiet season last year.

A lesson is sticking with players I think. Not wishing to have a dig at Surrey or anything, but I think Adams has given a few players a go, they've had success, then had 1 or 2 bad matches and been dropped, seemingly for an extended time. Fraser isn't like that. He's stuck with talented players, and has got the rewards for that I think.

He wants to play for England, but has a very thick Sydney accent....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Very good young player - he was a key part of Middx getting promoted, and has now been awesome so far this year after a quiet season last year..... He wants to play for England, but has a very thick Sydney accent....

With a spot of voice coaching could he be passed off as Saffer? If so, should be a shoe in for England

[guildfordbat]

Very good young player - he was a key part of Middx getting promoted, and has now been awesome so far this year after a quiet season last year.

A lesson is sticking with players I think. Not wishing to have a dig at Surrey or anything, but I think Adams has given a few players a go, they've had success, then had 1 or 2 bad matches and been dropped, seemingly for an extended time. Fraser isn't like that. He's stuck with talented players, and has got the rewards for that I think.

He wants to play for England, but has a very thick Sydney accent....

-
As regards the lesson of sticking with players - good point, well made.

I do fear that certain Surrey players - Matt Dunn, George Edwards and Tom Jewell particularly come to mind-could change all too soon from young cricketers with considerable potential (as shown in the odd CC game) to those being released never having quite made it.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Middlesex women were in generous mood conceding 55 extras (including 42 wides) in the Surrey women's total of 211 - 7. Middlesex were all out 15 runs short of the total.

[Shelsey93]

Middlesex women were in generous mood conceding 55 extras (including 42 wides) in the Surrey women's total of 211 - 7. Middlesex were all out 15 runs short of the total.

Oh dear. A girl that was at the school I went to plays for Middlesex women these days as a bowler. I can't say I remember her being particularly good (she opened the bowling for our school team but that didn't mean much).

On a serious note I'm not sure the standard of women's cricket below international level is all that good - probably mid-league club level at best by men's standards - as participation levels are still very low. Oddly most of the England players seem to play for the same 3 or 4 counties - Sussex, Kent and Yorkshire in particular - which can't help.

[Shelsey93]

I've written a preview ahead of tomorrow's Middx-Yorks game - http://deepextracover.com/home/lvcc-middlesex-v-yorkshire-preview/.

I'm at Lord's for all four days. I must say I'm not hugely confident of a win this week after such a gruelling schedule so far this season. After this match there isn't another four-day game for a month which should offer well deserved respite for a fast bowling attack that have started to flag over the last few games.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Last match v Sussex probably a good illustration why Middlesex look a reasonable bet to finish near the top but limitations in the spin dept could mean they have trouble finishing off sides.

[Shelsey93]

Last match v Sussex probably a good illustration why Middlesex look a reasonable bet to finish near the top but limitations in the spin dept could mean they have trouble finishing off sides.

I agree. I haven't shifted from my pre-season prediction that Middlesex will challenge but ultimately be overhauled by Yorkshire and/or Warwickshire.

[LOVERBOY]

Plenty of bowling in reserve.Expect rotation tomorrow with Colly likely to play.Spinners are Rayner, Smith, Patel with Stirling, Denly, Malan and Robson all capable of doing a job.Quicks alo include Helm, Sandhu, Wilkin, Davey and a bloke called Finn.Batters not in at present include Malan, Morgan, Stirling, the prolific Rossington and Aussie Voges whilst Buck, s away.Plenty of options available.As for a weakened Yorkie side tommorow, only the rain can save them.Middle, Middle,Middle----CHAMPIONES!!!!!.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Meanwhile Yorks are 215 - 2.

[LOVERBOY]

Ah yes but Yorkies had all the luck today,loads of playing and missing,ball flying off in unexpected areas and unsympathetic umpires,as well as our main strike bowler incapacitated after a few overs.
We bowled and fielded exceptionally well and on another day we could easily have had them 180-7.
Remember we,ve just fielded for two and half days against Sussex and then all day today.It takes it's toll.
That'll be more excuses than Grizzly Adams can come up with ,but seriously though Lees and Gale applied themselves well and deserved their luck.

[Shelsey93]

Ah yes but Yorkies had all the luck today,loads of playing and missing,ball flying off in unexpected areas and unsympathetic umpires,as well as our main strike bowler incapacitated after a few overs.
We bowled and fielded exceptionally well and on another day we could easily have had them 180-7.

Were you at the game Lover? I thought they were a little lucky but nothing out of the ordinary: the ball did keep moving all day, particularly for Murtagh, but there were few real chances created apart from those that got the wicket. There was one moment when somebody (Gale I think) looked like he'd knicked one through to Simpson who looked to have taken a spectacular diving catch - it wasn't given out but hard to tell from up high whether it didn't carry or was just given not out.

I didn't think the umpires did particularly well with the weather. Whilst its hard to quantify precipitation levels from the media centre it never really looked like more than a squall to me. The fact that the ground staff didn't even bother to put the full covers on apart from during the first delay suggested they could have got away without going off so often.

[LOVERBOY]

Of course I was there Shelsey.The one to Simmo didn't carry.
Perhaps we should have had a few more overs,the last light break was a bit premature,and they might have returned sooner on a couple of ocasions,but that's Lord's for you.Things always take that little bit longer.

[Guest]

has anyone been following the form and fitness of James Harris this year? If so how is he doing?

[Shelsey93]

@CF - His fitness has been an issue. He missed the first two and a bit matches with a hamstring problem and didn't bowl for much of last Thursday with a side issue. When he has bowled the results have been mixed, though he's probably been the second best seamer over the last two or three games, after Murtagh. I doubt he'll feature much in the T20 where I'm expecting Middx to field a few youngsters - I'm not sure they take the competition as seriously as some of the other sides in the South Group.

[LOVERBOY]

I can assure you Shelsey that Middlesex DO take the T20 extremely seriously.They are actually going away to Jersey for a week, s intensive training and preparation before hand where tactics and stategy will be vigorously worked on.They have been unsuccesful in this competition since winning it in 2008, and the club, players and coaching are extremely mindful of how much interest and importance the county's members and supporters have in The T20, not least the younger element.If you're 'not sure' about the facts in future Shelsey, best not to comment.

[Shelsey93]

@Loverboy - Perhaps seriously is the wrong word - clearly they will be focusing on it now, and I am aware of the trip to Jersey. Also Richard Scott told me the other day that there were still hopes of getting an additional overseas on board. But the nature of our squad doesn't lend itself to the T20 as well as it does for a few of the other counties. Certainly, I don't think they'll be jeopardising the Championship campaign by playing Murtagh and Harris in every game. And even with those two there are major issues with the death bowling (which is why I hope the 2nd overseas will be somebody like Clint McKay or Ryan McLaren). It will be good to see what some of the youngsters can do but I'm not really optimistic of finishing better than 5th in the group.

On another note batsman Charlie Thurston, who plays for the same club that I do, makes his 3-day debut for the 2nd XI today. He's an awesome talent who played senior cricket aged 9 and 1st XI cricket aged 12 for us. I hope he does well as success couldn't come to a nicer person and family: whilst many ambitious families can be a bit pushy his parents are terrific club people, always turning up to watch our 1st XI and not making the ridiculous demands that some junior parents do.

[LOVERBOY]

Well of course they'll be rotating players, and some of the youngsters wil
l be given oppotunities.Cannot agree with you about the nature of the squad, Voges, currently top Aussie one day bat, Stirling, Rossington, Morgan.Mala.Berg amongst others adds up to about the best 20 over batting line up on the country.The bowling perhaps needs strengthening a bit, but still plenty of options including Finn, Roland-Jones, Dexter, not to mention Harris and Murts plus Rayner, Smith, Patel, Stirling and Denly to take the pace off, not a bad line-up.Your pessimism is not shared by me, and neither is it I guess by your pal Scotty, or by Gus, Ramps, Johhno and the skipper.

[LOVERBOY]

Oh and definitely not Ryan Mc Laren Shelsey,don't you remember what happened the last time:
Charlie out for 32.........

[Shelsey93]

@LOVERBOY - I know McLaren wasn't a tremendous success before but on current form he fits the bill as a bowling all-rounder who could bowl at the death. Obviously Malinga or Steyn would be great but sadly I doubt it will happen unless the MCC are prepared to splash the cash like they were for Gilchrist.

2nd XI scorecard very disappointing - one partnership between Simpson and Charlie and everyone else failed... Still, we don't know what the pitch is like.

EDIT: And with Somerset 18-4 maybe it isn't a great pitch. Possibly understandable given Radlett have a huge amount of cricket this year... club cricket, YB40, 2nd XI, MCC Young Cricketers etc.

[LOVERBOY]

Tom Helm stands by to make his YB40 debut for The Panthers at Headingley tomorrow in place of the injured James Harris.Sam Robson is also a likely starter now that Chris Rogers has departed. Overseas player Adam Voges will be available from Sunday.

[Shelsey93]

Here is my preview for tomorrow's game at Headingley - http://deepextracover.com/home/yb40-yorkshire-v-middlesex-preview/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Meanwhile, the 2nd XI won by 29 runs in a low-scoring game. Gurjit Sandhu took three wickets in the second innings: I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature in the T20.

[LOVERBOY]

Tom Smith's departure on loan to Glos.suggests The Panthers are set to announce the signing of a second overseas signing for their 20/20 campaign.An Asian slow left-armer perhaps????

[Shelsey93]

Tom Smith's departure on loan to Glos.suggests The Panthers are set to announce the signing of a second overseas signing for their 20/20 campaign.An Asian slow left-armer perhaps????

Is that inside info you have? India don't let their players play in county cricket, generally, so by process of elimination it could only be Herath. 

My inference from Gus's comments on the club website and the general pattern of selection this year is that Smith won't be retained when his contract is up. A shame, but there isn't really a need to have both him and Rayner if Patel is going to become a 1st XI regular, as it is hoped he will.

EDIT: I just remembered that tri-series in WI so that rules out Herath. The return of Murali Kartik? Possible I guess.

[LOVERBOY]

Tom played in most 20/20s last year and was reasonably succesful.He won't be playing any this year.Richard Scott has said not to rule out another overseas signing for the competition, it'll certainly not be a batter or a wickie, so I'm just speculating.If I had a name, I'd tell you.

[Shelsey93]

Kyle Mills is the second overseas for the T20. Not overly exciting but better than no-one I guess. Will allow them to play only one of Murtagh, TRJ and Harris in most games if they use an attack of Mills, TRJ/Harris/Murtagh, Sandhu/Helm/Wilkin, Rayner, Berg/Dexter and a bit of Voges.

They played a warm-up game in Jersey today. A bit of a mismatch as you might imagine but Stirling got a ton, Voges got a good hit and the bowlers got a run out.

[LOVERBOY]

Stirling will get a bowl in most games, as possibly will Denly or Malan, and Patel could get a game or two.I doubt that Helm or Wilkin will feature at all.

[Shelsey93]

Stirling will get a bowl in most games, as possibly will Denly or Malan, and Patel could get a game or two.I doubt that Helm or Wilkin will feature at all.

Wilkin is a fair way down the FC pecking order but he has done well in 2nd XI T20s and the couple of T20s he played last year. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a go, though maybe not in the first couple of games.

[Gregers]

Morning Middlesex fans!

Just buying tickets to come up to Lords on Sunday to see you lot play us lot, I have the following stand options:

Compton Stand
Upper Tier

Edrich Stand
Upper

Mound Stand


--
Having not been to Lords could any of you recomend which seats are best out of those?

Much appreciated

[NickisBHAFC]

Im in the Compton upper on Sunday.

Its where i was last year, had a superb view.

[LOVERBOY]

  Depends which side the wicket is pitched.I'd ring up and ask if you want to be closest to the action,that's Compton OR Edrich

[Gregers]

Sat on the boundary on in the mound stand, must say that it was a great day out. Your club is a real credit to cricket!