Middlesex thread

[Shelsey93]

First topic message reminder :

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]

For any Middlesex followers interested, I've put a review of the recent second eleven Championship match between Surrey and Middlesex on the 'Surrey news/articles' thread.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Middlesex will do well if they avoid defeat on last day against Warks.  Still 30 runs behind with only five wickets left.

[Shelsey93]

Sorry for my absence lately. Just finished a run of covering matches eight days out of nine!

Very disappointing performance at Uxbridge. Batsmen needed to perform much better than, with the exception of Voges, they did. Title hopes are now just about extinguished.

Better news in the T20 format with the win over Kent on Sunday. Also, the 2nd XI are through to today's final after beating Durham. If it is against Surrey, as looks likely, it might be an uphill task though: Surrey have sneakily drafted in a few first teamers (including Maxwell!), something Middlesex can't do because they have a 1st XI game against Essex tonight.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Don't know what pitch was like at Hove, but looks like a decent start for Middlesex against Sussex.  Only 185 behind the Sussex score, with all wickets in hand.

[LOVERBOY]

Pitch was fine and The Middle smashed the seasiders 24-2,With Finny and Moggy soon back in the fold and all others fit and well up for it. The Championship charge is on again.Selection problems looming,like who to leave out,plenty of options,Durham at home and doomed Derby away coming up.should give us 40 points plus.Glory days are here again as we head for the top.

[Shelsey93]

Huge London derby tomorrow and Middlesex claiming it is already 'almost a sell-out'. Assuming that they are selling tickets for all areas of the ground (the Upper Grand Stand was closed for the Essex game) that would presumably be a record for an English domestic T20 game as there is no bigger ground than Lord's.

Eoin Morgan back for Middlesex and Ricky Ponting will be playing his final match at the Home of Cricket. (Hopefully I can catch a word with Ricky afterwards which would be kind of cool  ).

Looks like whichever team wins will have a very good chance of reaching the quarters.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hi Shelsey - look forward to reading your report of the match.... 

[guildfordbat]

Hi Shelsey - look forward to reading your report of the match.... 

Corporal - me too but be aware that Shelsey could also be sharpening his pencil for the report of the 4 dayer at the Oval in September!

[Shelsey93]

Nice to see that the Surrey contingent turn up on the Middlesex thread only when we get bowled out for 92...  

Report will be along on DEC shortly.

[Shelsey93]

Here is the match report - http://deepextracover.com/index/surrey-rule-the-capital-after-record-breaking-derby/

178 was a good score but with a very short boundary towards the Mound Stand it was certainly gettable. Berg bowled particularly well at the death and it required two superb catches - one from Denly and one from Dexter - to restrict the score to that. In fact, I would say that the quality of cricket in all departments was as high as I've seen in this year's competition during the first innings.

Middlesex's run-chase was frenetic. The run rate never got out of control but batmsen insisted on going for big shots all too often. It must be said that Surrey are also a superb bowling and fielding side.

My overall thoughts on Middlesex's campaign are that 4th place, which now looks likely, would be a fair reflection of how we've played. Thrashings have been handed out when the opposition have been poor (Kent twice, Essex twice and Sussex last week) but we haven't been able to paper over the cracks when the opposition have played well. Despite being bowled out for 92 last night the main concern must be the bowling: our seamers just aren't particularly suited to one-day cricket, as is shown by our three best and most experienced aside from Mills hardly featuring. There is lots of young talent coming through but again I think they are being kept for the Championship so for next season a one-day type seamer ought to be on the shopping list. The spinners have done well and I thought it was curious to leave out Rayner for Morgan. Somebody had to make way but it would have made much more sense if it were Sandhu.

[guildfordbat]

Thanks for the post and report, Shelsey.

Interested by your comment about the "superb fielding". Generally, that has been an issue as fielding ability is normally seen to vary enormously amongst the team. Roy and Ansari are excellent whilst Lewis, Mahmood and Tremlett are regular weak links. Certainly the desire is there - typically exemplified by skipper Batty encouraging others through hurling himself around.

[LOVERBOY]

Crucial night tonight with both Surrey and Middlesex still in with a chance of qualification.The Middle worth a punt at The Bowl at 2/1, whilst The Rey could upset the odds too.

[Shelsey93]

Nice to see your optimism Loverboy. Personally I don't think a win at the Rose Bowl is very likely. The Surrey/ Essex match is 50/50 but I still can't see us going through.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

With Hampshire's big total tonight it looks highly unlikely that Middlesex would be able to recover the ground on goal difference with Surrey.

[LOVERBOY]

Middlesex will have two centrally comtracted players available to them for tommorow's match against Durham at Lord's.This will be unprecedented for a championship match and at the same time as a Test Match is taking place.Both are almost certain to play, but whilst Steve Finn will be welcomed with open arms, especially in the continued absence of Roland-Jones and Harris through injury, the case of Eoin Morgan is far less straightfoward.His involvement with The IPL and inconsistent International form make him a controversial choice for many.The side have an established top six batting line-up with all but Dawid Malan in good form whilst others deserving of a place such as Stirling, Rossington and London
languish in the second eleven.Few doubt Morgan's talent but his commitment is in question and his performance should he play will atttact much interest and scrutiny.
B

[guildfordbat]

Middlesex will have two centrally comtracted players available to them for tommorow's match against Durham at Lord's.This will be unprecedented for a championship match and at the same time as a Test Match is taking place.Both are almost certain to play, but whilst Steve Finn will be welcomed with open arms, especially in the continued absence of Roland-Jones and Harris through injury, the case of  Eoin Morgan is far less straightfoward.His involvement with The IPL and inconsistent  International form make him a controversial choice for many.The side have an established top six batting line-up with all but Dawid Malan in good form whilst others deserving of a place such as Stirling, Rossington and London
languish in the second eleven.Few doubt Morgan's talent but his commitment is in question and his performance should he play will atttact much interest and scrutiny.
B

Very good post, Loverboy.

[Shelsey93]

Very fair post Loverboy. I feel Malan's absence from this game was inevitable (the article announcing the squad indicates that Denly will open so I must assume that will be the case). My understanding is that he only played the last two because of London's glute injury and an understandable feeling that it would be unfair to expose Stirling and Rossington, with so little Championship cricket under their belts, to the new ball. Dawid is a good player but it is very difficult to pick him on his red ball form with so many other options available. I liked a quote from one of the tribute pieces to Norman de Mesquita. Vithusan Ethantharajah from Cricinfo, who like me only worked in the same press box as Norman for a short time, wrote that Norman told him that a Malan innings is 'like talking to a beautiful married woman - pretty to look at but it doesn't go anywhere'.

I know that the concerns about Morgan are shared by many at Middlesex - both members and those in the press box. It is a long time since he did much for us in four-day cricket and, given that he hasn't played a FC game in a year or so, there would be a case for not picking him if the batsmen had been firing more than they have been. It is certainly unfortunate that Rossington and Stirling cannot be accommodated.

The injury situation is a further worry. In particular James Harris though there is something very funny going on with Roland-Jones - when he was evidently struggling on the first day at Uxbridge the usually reliable press officer informed us it was nothing serious, just a bit of pain he felt from time to time which shouldn't stop him from bowling. He has now been out for the best part of three weeks. Harris, meanwhile, curiously remained on the field after his injury took him out of the bowling attack. That seemed strange at the time and hopefully didn't contribute to the lengthy rehab. I hope he gets a chance to show that he's a fine bowler before the end of the season as there are some doubters. I know that Jon Batham, who writes for various papers in the county, is of the opinion that he should never have been signed because of his injury record (he thinks Crook should have been retained).

Anyway, despite all that I think Middlesex start as favourites for this one. Durham are very much a bowling team so, on a good pitch like the one at Lord's, ought not to get enough runs against Finn, Murtagh and Collymore. Onions will be a danger as ever but I'd hope that, with Voges and Morgan in the line-up, we cope better with that than we did at Chester-le-Street where Durham dominated a rain-affected draw.

[LOVERBOY]

Cannot agree with Jon, Harris is quality and well worth the punt, whilst Crooks was never likely to keep a regular spot in our side and did well to move on.I knew Norman for over 40 years and can recall quite a few married women that he was keen to talk to, but as to whether it ever went anywhere, I couldn't possibly comment. He'll be especially disappointed to miss Ladies Day on saturday. I agree Mala won't play, but not so sure Colly will, could go with both spinners with Dex and Bergy to support Murts and Finny.

[jimbohammers]

Shelsey, was you at the Hampshire vs Middlesex game on Wednesday?

[Shelsey93]

Jimbo - No, I wasn't at the Rose Bowl.

A topsy-turvey day with 15 wickets falling but Middlesex end it in a good position, if not the dominant one they'd have hoped for.

At the close of play I spoke to Middlesex's bowling coach Richard Johnson about Steven Finn - http://deepextracover.com/index/johnson-stevens-not-the-finn-ished-article-yet/

[Shelsey93]

So, 34 wickets in just over six sessions and a six-wicket win for Middlesex. More superb bowling that anything wrong with the pitch (though Collingwood suggested there was a fair amount it, describing it as "Riverside-like"). With Sussex losing and Yorkshire unlikely to win that puts Middlesex right back in the thick of the title race. The next four matches are against the current bottom four and thus perhaps offer winning opportunities (particularly as they will all need to win themselves to get out of trouble).

I remain unconvinced that either Durham or Middlesex can win without an improvement in batting, however. This is what I wrote after today's play - http://deepextracover.com/index/title-contenders-need-to-get-their-batting-right/.

The two days I saw were littered with terrible shots - two poor dismissals from Denly, two nothing shots from Voges, Dexter getting out with 1 to win. I am also told that Saturday's play included Ben Stokes dancing down the wicket to Ollie Rayner and being stumped. Both captains mentioned that "T20 hangover" might have something to do with it, though I'm not sure how legitimate that excuse is when two matches were played during the T20 and its only two weeks since the last four-day games.

----

The transfer market is getting interesting with rumours that both Ed Joyce and Nick Compton want a move back to London. Middlesex would surely accommodate at least one if they wanted to come back. As discussed the other day Joyce is perhaps likelier to want to return North of the river given Compton's previous issues, partly related to his heritage. Joyce would certainly be a good fit to bat in the middle order which has been a little suspect this season.

If we do sign a batsman or two that begs the question of who leaves so that we don't break the wage cap. I don't have any info on who's contracts are up (it can probably be worked out by finding articles from when new deals were signed but that is a lot of effort!). However, I suspect Tom Smith will be let go - possibly to extend his loan with Gloucestershire. A couple of the younger players who haven't quite kicked on could also be vulnerable but, in the cases of Balbirnie, Wilkin and Davey, it would be harsh to let them go without a proper 1st XI opportunity. They have by and large gone well in the 2nds who, incidentally, are having a superb season.

[LOVERBOY]

Word is that Joyce's domestic commitments make him the most likely to return whilst Compton may well take his place at Sussex,and Dawid Malan might be seeking a new start at Surey.
Balbirnie and Wilkin will almost cerainly be retained,but Davey is likely to leave along with eiither London or Rossington,both of whom have been offered opportunities elsewhere.

[jimbohammers]

Many of Hampshire’s Second XI and younger players have been handed the chance to impress in a friendly match against Bangladesh A at The Ageas Bowl.
Hampshire Squad:
Michael Roberts and Adam Rouse, who have both featured in the Hampshire First XI this season, are included in the squad alongside regular First XI players Liam Dawson and Dimitri Mascarenhas. Hamza Riazuddin and Glen Querl also play alongside Middlesex youngsters Adam London and Josh Davey.

[Shelsey93]

Very bad news on Rossington if that is the case, Loverboy. Hopefully a nice 2 or 3 year deal from Middlesex will be coming his way. Understandable if Malan wanted a fresh start.

The news on London and Davey, described as 'triallists' by Hampshire, suggests that they will both be leaving. In London's case that would seem sensible - he has been prolific for Middx 2s but struggled to get into the 1sts. He is still a good enough player to make a very good county career elsewhere.

In Davey's case I'm not convinced he's first-class standard to be honest. However, he is a decent one-day bits-and-pieces all-rounder. Hampshire might be looking at who could potentially fill the void left by Mascarenhas but I'd think Davey is still a little bit off being a 1st XI regular in a competitive outfit.

[jimbohammers]

London run out for 6  

[Shelsey93]

Hope he gets another go with Hampshire in a way. He's a good player and it would be a shame to see him drop out of first-class cricket. Hampshire could be the perfect place for him as there is a good chance he'd feature in the Champ team (he must be a better batsman than Dawson, who is picked as a specialist in four-day cricket).

[jimbohammers]

Dawson has made 7.. 50's this year and averages 45, i'd say he is a pretty good batsmen  

[jimbohammers]

97 for Dawson yesterday, Shelsey, oh and 3-11 off 7 overs

[LOVERBOY]

Let's stay with The Middle guys and back to Eoin Morgan who scored 59 for once out against Durham in a low-scoring match and demonstrated his determination and commitment in difficult conditions.

[LOVERBOY]

Dawid Maln's ommission form Middlesex'a 4 day squad at Derby tomorrow was not unexpected,however his non-selection for a 2s game today again raise the question as to whether his future now lies elsewhere.Surrey are known to be interested in the out of contract left-hander.
Meanwhile Adam London continued his prolific form this season with another 100 to day at The Ageas Bowl against Hampshire ,where he is likely to be offered a contract in 2014.Andy Balbirnie was another century maker today in the same game.

[Shelsey93]

Sorry to be self-promoting.

Here is a piece I wrote a couple of days ago on Middlesex's batting woes - http://jacksheldoncricket.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/middlesex-batsmen-face-uncertain-future.html

And my preview to today's Middx-Leics match - http://deepextracover.blog.com/2013/08/26/middlesex-v-leicestershire/

As I allude to in my preview it will be seen as somewhat controversial that Eoin Morgan skippers Middlesex today. Since his England call-up in 2009 he has hardly played in county cricket, and has not done particularly well when he has. Some Middlesex supporters and journalists accuse him of not caring. I feel that is somewhat harsh but it is still strange that he would be asked to lead the team in a dead rubber. He is unlikely to be a future club captain and is potentially blocking a more regular player from having the opportunity. Of course, it might be at the behest of the ECB with Eoin likely to lead England against Australia.

I am particularly looking forward to seeing Tom Helm in action today, as well as Ollie Wilkin. It might have been nice to go the full hogg and get Balbirnie/ Gubbins/ Higgins a go too but there are a fair few players who won't feature in the Champ that would obviously like to play in the final limited overs fixture of the season.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Middlesex going downhill at the moment.  First, losing to Derby and now being skittled by Somerset. Shelsey correct in commenting on the iffy state of their batting.

[Shelsey93]

Possibly the worst day's cricket you could possibly have today from Middx. Conceded over 230 runs for the last three (last night and this morning), then all out for 106 and 2 down following on...

The title campaign is now over... even if not mathematically I can't see how we could feasibly challenge after the form of the last few games.

Really I think Gus should make a bit of a statement now and give a couple of youngsters ago in the last three matches. Can't do any worse than Denly and Malan have this summer.

Anyway decided it would be best not to bother Mr. Rogers today so I interviewed Jamie Overton instead -

[Corporalhumblebucket]

...... Anyway decided it would be best not to bother Mr. Rogers today so I interviewed Jamie Overton instead -

   Probably a wise decision!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Middlesex subsiding again 101 - 6.

[JDizzle]

Huge win for Somerset in their fight for survival.

[Shelsey93]

Big win for Somerset. Not much more to say about Middlesex.

Loverboy if you are around - have you heard anything about the growing Ed Joyce rumours?

[JDizzle]

Shelsey, what did you think of the three young Somerset bowlers in Overton, Meschede and especially Gregory? Bowl well or helped by shoddy batting?

[Shelsey93]

I'm a big fan of Overton. Bowled with pace and hostility (I don't know if you saw the interview I did with him: http://deepextracover.blog.com/2013/08/29/overton-most-batsmen-don’t-like-facing-me/ ).

Lewis Gregory was a bit of a surprise. So far this season his bowling has been going backwards and he's played as a batsman in the Champ games he played before this one. But he looked a very decent new ball bowler - a role which Trescothick said he'd done well in the second XI. 'Skidiness' is his main attribute rather than genuine pace. He was a bit loose on occasion, suggesting that against a team batting less hopelessly that Middlesex he might not be so effective.

Meschede developed a habit of picking up wickets with the first balls of his spell - first two on one occasion. Again looked a very effective bowler for a fourth seamer.

Youth does seem to be the way to go for the relegation strugglers. Somerset (admittedly forced by unavailability), Derbyshire and Surrey to an extent have all seen fortunes improve when young players without the scarring from a season of struggle have come in.

[LOVERBOY]

Ed Joyce is currently making no comment about his future plans, which does suggest he's looking to move on.Middlesex remain most interested in his return, and given Dexter's poor form with the bat and Roger's involvement with Australia, it may well be that the offer of the captaincy at The Middle would be a further incentive.He did refuse such an offer before he left, but has taken the job on successfully Hove, and now feels confident in that role.Adam London has been released, although that has not been officially announced. Dawid Malan has worked extensively with Mark Ramprakash and all hope he will be staying.

[Shelsey93]

Ed  Joyce is currently making no comment about his future plans, which does suggest he's looking to move on.Middlesex remain most interested in his return, and given Dexter's poor form with the bat and Roger's involvement with Australia, it may well be that the offer of the captaincy at The Middle would be a further incentive.He did refuse such an offer before he left, but has taken the job on successfully Hove, and now feels confident in that role.Adam London has been released, although that has not been officially announced. Dawid Malan has worked extensively with Mark Ramprakash and all hope he will be staying.

Thanks for that Lover. Tallies very much with what I've been hearing over the last week or so. Rogers is understood to be a reluctant captain and, with Dexter unlikely to be offered a return to the full-time four-day job, bringing in a skipper from outside is very much a possibility. (Few, if any, other candidates in the squad).

It is pretty much accepted fact that Adam London and Josh Davey will be released, following their appearances for Hampshire v Bangladesh A. They should be available for the 2nd XI Championship final though.

Malan is I guess the one that could go either way. Speaking to Gus on Friday it sounds as if they feel he has put the work in (with his big 2nd XI ton etc.) to deserve his place back, even if results on the pitch are a long way from showing that. Will be interesting to see if he is selected for the Surrey match...

[Shelsey93]

London included in squad for Surrey match - last chance to prove himself? Denly and Malan keep their places. No Roland-Jones or Murtagh (with Ireland). Collymore and Sandhu come in.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Surrey will be pleased not to be facing Murtagh or Roland Jones.     Against us more often than not they take a hatful of wickets and/or score a lot of runs in the lower order.

[JDizzle]

I'm a big fan of Overton. Bowled with pace and hostility (I don't know if you saw the interview I did with him: http://deepextracover.blog.com/2013/08/29/overton-most-batsmen-don’t-like-facing-me/ ).

Lewis Gregory was a bit of a surprise. So far this season his bowling has been going backwards and he's played as a batsman in the Champ games he played before this one. But he looked a very decent new ball bowler - a role which Trescothick said he'd done well in the second XI. 'Skidiness' is his main attribute rather than genuine pace. He was a bit loose on occasion, suggesting that against a team batting less hopelessly that Middlesex he might not be so effective.

Meschede developed a habit of picking up wickets with the first balls of his spell - first two on one occasion. Again looked a very effective bowler for a fourth seamer.

Youth does seem to be the way to go for the relegation strugglers. Somerset (admittedly forced by unavailability), Derbyshire and Surrey to an extent have all seen fortunes improve when young players without the scarring from a season of struggle have come in.

Cheers Shelsey, nice interview with Overton. A good read.

Gregory has always been the more highly rated one out of him and Meschede so it is good to see him showing signs of fulfilling his early promise. Our bowling really has been poor this year and we haven't had the same batting strength as the past few years to bail us out and it looks like we are goign to through away the good work against Middlesex against Derby unless Compton or one of the bowlers can produce somethig special.

[guildfordbat]

I note that 19 year old Tom Helm is making his first class debut in Middlesex's current match against Yorks. I saw him in the second XI game against Surrey at Guildford in July and thought he was a decent prospect at the time. He looked sharp and took a couple of wickets in each innings. A similar good start against Yorks - being eased in gently and sensibly with just 9 overs but still picking up two more than reasonable wickets (Williamson and Rashid). Encouraging for him and Middlesex.

[Shelsey93]

I note that 19 year old Tom Helm is making his first class debut in Middlesex's current match against Yorks. I saw him in the second XI game against Surrey at Guildford in July and thought he was a decent prospect at the time. He looked sharp and took a couple of wickets in each innings. A similar good start against Yorks - being eased in gently and sensibly with just 9 overs but still picking up two more than reasonable wickets (Williamson and Rashid). Encouraging for him and Middlesex.

I am yet to see Helm in the flesh but word is that he is a genuine quick, as supposed to a swinger.

It was good to see him (and Gurjit Sandhu last week) given first-class opportunities in these end of season matches. Whilst Surrey's policy regarding young players has been heavily criticised, Middlesex's has not been, though it can be seen as equally controversial. Despite consistent success at 2nd XI level Fraser has always preferred to back his 1st XI squad, even when out of form, ahead of the younger players. As well as for Helm and Sandhu opportunities have been scarce in red ball cricket for Adam London, Adam Rossington and Josh Davey. A number of others on the staff have not even been given YB40 opportunites. Whilst I tend to agree with most of Fraser's selections - the strongest team has usually been fielded - you can't help but feel that many of Middlesex's youngsters would have had far more first-class exposure elsewhere, particularly in Division 2. Oddly the loan system seems to be used primarily to provide cricket for out of favour cricketers on the verge of release rather than to offer opportunites to young players to hone their skills away from their home club. Perhaps that is partly a result of counties wanting experience when they make loan signings, but I do think it is a bit of a shame.

[guildfordbat]

I am yet to see Helm in the flesh but word is that he is a genuine quick, as supposed to a swinger.

It was good to see him (and Gurjit Sandhu last week) given first-class opportunities in these end of season matches. Whilst Surrey's policy regarding young players has been heavily criticised, Middlesex's has not been, though it can be seen as equally controversial. Despite consistent success at 2nd XI level Fraser has always preferred to back his 1st XI squad, even when out of form, ahead of the younger players. As well as for Helm and Sandhu opportunities have been scarce in red ball cricket for Adam London, Adam Rossington and Josh Davey. A number of others on the staff have not even been given YB40 opportunites. Whilst I tend to agree with most of Fraser's selections - the strongest team has usually been fielded - you can't help but feel that many of Middlesex's youngsters would have had far more first-class exposure elsewhere, particularly in Division 2. Oddly the loan system seems to be used primarily to provide cricket for out of favour cricketers on the verge of release rather than to offer opportunites to young players to hone their skills away from their home club. Perhaps that is partly a result of counties wanting experience when they make loan signings, but I do think it is a bit of a shame.

I spoke to Gareth Batty at a members' forum meeting late last year and suggested that it would benefit Matt Dunn and George Edwards to go on loan to a Division 2 county this season and get more experience of first class cricket there. He appreciated the reasoning but wanted them to stay put, emphasising that bowling coaches at the Oval were working closely with these players which would ultimately be better for them and Surrey. He mentioned that a technical issue had been identified in respect of Edwards which was being worked on but didn't elaborate further. Hard to make a judgment if you don't know what goes on behind the scenes. However, I think it's fair to say that nothing has yet emerged to prove my original suggestion wrong.

[Shelsey93]

Somebody who went to the end of season members forum tells me:

- Two more players to be released shortly (presumably London and Davey)
- Joyce transfer isn't happening
- Morgan to lose central contract (was obvious anyway as these are based around Tests; he was lucky to get one last time round).

[Shelsey93]

Middlesex have very usefully provided a run down of discussions at the recent members forum - http://www.middlesexccc.com/articles/2013-09-24/end-of-season-members-forum-an-air-of-frustration

Reading between all of the lines I'd say a major transfer is unlikely this summer unless Morgan is curiously retained on central contract. That's unlikely and so it looks like any money that could have been invested in tempting an Ed Joyce will be directed to Eoin. The rights and wrongs of that are sure to be debated, given Morgan's likely number of appearances...

In the absence of a major transfer there might be room for a couple of minor moves once London and Davey are released (Tom Smith's move to Gloucs was confirmed today). One which tempts me might be Will Smith, the 30 year-old Durham batsman, who is leaving the club. He could have a couple of good seasons in him and, though not an automatic 1st XI starter, would offer a more experienced option if Denly and Malan don't find their form. Also, and probably to be announced much later, an overseas player is needed for the T20. The longer format next season won't help, and will probably preclude the return of Voges (he won't want to kick his heels whilst Rogers plays in the Champ) but we might just be able to get a death bowler in, which is what we really need.

There has been some speculation over whether Chris Rogers will remain captain, given his increasingly wide array of cricketing commitments and a feeling that he was reluctant. From that I'd suggest he's likely to remain, though I would totally understand if he decides something has to give (he has played 27 FC matches in the last year and, when I spoke to him during the Notts game, looked shattered if truth be told).

[Shelsey93]

Here is the Middlesex season review that I wrote for DEC - http://deepextracover.com/2013/10/11/middlesex-season-review-2013/