Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Middlesex v Leicestershire
Venue: Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Dates: Sunday, July 11, 2021 - Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Middlesex's hopes of qualifying for either of the top two divisions were ended by a pitiful defeat to Gloucestershire (they were then beaten by the Bristol club in the Blast in the same week to compound the result.
Underpinning that loss was yet another failure with the bat. Bowled out for just 101 in their first innings, the eighth time they have been bowled out for under 200 in the Championship this season.
Leicestershire are assured of missing out on a top-two place but remain in the running for the second tier, but need victory and favours from elsewhere.
They gained a credible draw with Somerset, albeit one which was assisted by rain, and already have a victory over this week's opponents having claimed a five-wicket win at Grace Road.
Who's in form?
Somerset had a depleted attack at Taunton but taking nothing away from Harry Swindells, who went to his second first-class century with an unbeaten 171. He also put on a record eighth-wicket stand with Ed Barnes; a good indicator ahead of facing a more than capable Middlesex bowling line-up.
That attack is typically led by Tim Murtagh, who has taken 30 wickets at less than 21 apiece, while Ethan Bamber has proved a more than decent compatriot with his 32 scalps having come at 22.53.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Middlesex: LLWLL
Leicestershire: LLDWW
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 143
Middlesex wins: 58
Leicestershire wins: 28
Draws: 56
Tied: 1
Abandoned: 1
What's the team news?
Peter Handscomb has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been replaced as skipper by Tim Murtagh.
John Simpson and Tom Helm are with England. James Harris is recalled while Max Holden and Joe Cracknell are named in the squad.
Either Robbie White or Cracknell will take the gloves in Simpson's absence.
Middlesex squad: Tim Murtagh, Martin Andersson, Ethan Bamber, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Josh De Caires, Stephen Eskinazi, James Harris, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Robson, Nathan Sowter, Robbie White
The Foxes have Hassan Azad and Sam Evans back after periods in self-isolation. Abi Sakande is named in the squad for the first time after signing from Sussex.
Leicestershire squad: Colin Ackermann (C), Hassan Azad, Ed Barnes, Will Davis, Sam Evans, Gavin Griffiths, Marcus Harris, Lewis Hill, Josh Inglis, Ben Mike, Callum Parkinson, Abi Sakande, Harry Swindells (wk)
Latest Middlesex news: Click here
Latest Leicestershire news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Northwood: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Middlesex will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Travel
Address: Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2HT
Tube (Metropolitan Line): Moor Park (Zone 6) on the Metropolitan Line is a 10-minute walk from the School buildings.
At the exit turnstiles, double back on yourself, sharp right along the walkway under the railway line. Go up the stairs and turn sharp left through the barrier onto the path through the spinney. At the end, bear left along Askew Road, cross the road at the zebra crossing and walk on 50 yards until you see the school gates on your right (pedestrian gate to the left of the main gates).
Train: Half-hourly Chiltern Line trains from London Marylebone take 14 minutes to Harrow-on-the-Hill. Change to Metropolitan Line north (Amersham branch) for Moor Park (10 minutes). You may also continue to Rickmansworth (23 minutes from Marylebone) and take the Metropolitan Line south one stop to Moor Park. There is generally a connecting train within 5 minutes at either station.
Car: From South & West: Leave the M25 at J17 or J18. Follow signs for Rickmansworth and Northwood through a series of roundabouts (2 from J17, 4 from J18) until you come to Batchworth/Moor Lane roundabout and see the A404 heading up the hill to Northwood (2nd Exit) Follow the A404/London Road until you pass the Old Green Man pub on your left. Take the first left turn after the Old Green Man and follow Batchworth lane, going over one mini roundabout, until the round comes to an end at the junction with the A4125/Sandy Lodge. Turn Left and keepgoing down the hill until you see an Esso Petrol Station on the left. Turn left immediately next to the petrol station and follow the road (Sandy Lodge Lane) until you see the main Merchant Taylors' School entrance on your right.
From the M1: Leave the M1 at J5. Take the A4008, Stephenson Way, towards Watford. Bear left at the second roundabout (A411). Carry on at the mini-roundabout opposite Tesco’s and follow the one-way system into Dalton Way. Keep left and continue straight on for 200 yards. Turn right at the Bushey railway arches roundabout (following signs for Northwood HQ) and turn into Eastbury Road(which becomes Hampermill Lane) continuing straight on for 5-10 minutes. The road bends sharp left and you see an Esso Station on the right. Turn right immediately before the Esso Station into Sandy Lodge Lane. The School entrance is 350 yards on your right.
From London via the A40: From the A40 take the A4180 through Ruislip following Duck’s Hill Road to its end. Turn left onto the A404 – the Rickmansworth Road (which becomes the London Road). Pass Mount Vernon Hospital. At the Prince of Wales Pub, turn right into Batchworth Lane. Follow Batchworth Lane until it ends and turn left into Sandy Lodge Road. Drive down the hill. Turn left immediately after the big Esso Station into Sandy Lane. The School entrance is 350 yards on your right.
Prediction?
Leicestershire still have position to play for and could finish as high as third if things go their way. Away win.
OTHER ROUND 11 PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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