Who are the key players? How did they do last year? Where are they strong? Where might they be weak? Key questions answered ahead of the new T20 Blast campaign
Coach: Stuart Law
Captain: Steven Finn
Last season: Fourth in South Group
How did they do last year?
Despite failing to break out of the South Group and qualify for the quarter-finals of last year’s T20 Blast, the 2020 campaign featured several positives for a side that – from the previous year – was missing Eoin Morgan, AB de Villiers, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Paul Stirling.
It opened the door for several youngsters to show off their talents and, broadly speaking, those opportunities were grabbed with both hands. Leg-spinning allrounder Luke Hollman was one of the tournament’s breakout stats, while young batsman Joe Cracknell averaged 30.75 in four innings at a strike rate of 148.19 – his first six as a professional cricketer nearly took out the Father Time weathervane at Lord’s. On his T20 debut, Thilan Walallawita recorded figures of 3 for 19
There was also a maiden T20 hundred for Max Holden, who offset his red-ball troubles with an encouraging run in the shortest format, while Stevie Eskinazi did the same and was unfortunate not to come out of it with a deal for The Hundred: only Daniel Bell-Drummond scored more runs nationwide.
With the ball, it was perhaps a sign of Middlesex’s experimentation that Tim Murtagh returned to T20 cricket for the first time in four years, claiming seven wickets in five games, while Nathan Sowter displayed his white-ball quality once again. Finn, an intriguing choice as captain, ended the campaign as his side’s leading wicket-taker.
Who are their key players?
Finn’s form in 2020 has earned him a deal for The Hundred, while Sowter – despite finding himself down the pecking order in Law’s LV= Insurance County Championship plans – remains a vital part of Middlesex’s T20 side. Much of the run-scoring burden will fall upon Eskinazi once again, having contributed four half-centuries and 413 runs last time around, while wicketkeeper John Simpson averaged 36 in the middle order.
Tom Helm spent some of last summer with England’s training group, and he was ever-present through Middlesex’s campaign – his extra pace and ability at the death make him an important member of a young squad.
The sight of Paul Sterling back at Middlesex is a welcome one
What are their biggest strengths?
The absence through the first half of the competition of Mujeeb Ur Rahman will frustrate Middlesex, but they are well-stocked in the leg-spin department, with Hollman and Sowter both likely starters on the back of an excellent 2020 season.
That Middlesex have been able to sign up Australian off-spinner Chris Green as a temporary replacement for the Afghan star is a major boost, not least given the difficulties experienced by several counties in the overseas department this year.
Mitchell Marsh was also set to be involved, but he was withdrawn after being selected in Australia’s squad for their tour of West Indies. Once again, however, the county acted quickly by signing New Zealand allrounder Daryl Mitchell, while Ireland opener Paul Stirling – a Middlesex stalwart until a change in regulations effectively ended his domestic career in England – has signed up for five games. He is ranked 34th in the men's T20 Player Index.
In a tournament where quality signings from abroad have been made more difficult by the circumstances of the pandemic, Middlesex’s stream of overseas talent could well make a difference.
Where might they have a weakness?
Stirling and Eskinazi apart, there is a shortage of experience in Middlesex’s batting, with Sam Robson only having played five T20 matches in his career and Nick Gubbins used as a bit-part player through last year’s tournament.
It could open the door for youngsters Cracknell, Jack Davies and Josh de Caires to be given an extended run. Dan Lincoln featured last year but he has since moved on, while Holden’s century at Chelmsford last year should see him given an opportunity to cement his place in the club’s T20 unit.
What are their chances of reaching Finals Day?
A long shot perhaps, given their recent record in the tournament, but the partial availability of Eoin Morgan would help their chances. Don’t look past their raft of talented youngsters.
Possible XI: Max Holden, Paul Stirling, Stevie Eskinazi, Joe Cracknell, Martin Andersson, John Simpson, Luke Hollman, Nathan Sowter, Chris Green, Steven Finn, Tom Helm
Fixtures: June 10 – Surrey (h); June 11 – Kent (a); June 15 – Hampshire (h); June 17 – Gloucestershire (h); June 18 – Glamorgan (a); June 24 – Essex (h); June 25 – Surrey (a); June 27 – Glamorgan (h); June 28 – Hampshire (a); July 1 – Sussex (h); July 2 – Somerset (a); July 9 – Gloucestershire (a)
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