Middlesex CCC | County Championship Match Preview | 03/05/2024

It’s the trip everyone marks on their calendars when the fixtures are released, as Leicestershire travel to Lord’s this week to take on Middlesex in round five of the Vitality County Championship.

The Foxes are perched on top of the Division Two table after securing a high-scoring draw against Northamptonshire at Uptonsteel County Ground last time out.

Middlesex were on the back foot at Gloucestershire last week, but impressive centuries for Max Holden and Ryan Higgins turned the tide before the hosts batted out a final day draw.

Last Time We Met:

Middlesex’s promotion push strengthened at Uptonsteel County Ground in September 2022, taking an 80-run victory back to London.

Michael Finan took his maiden five-fer, before Harry Swindells and Tom Scriven struck half-centuries to leave the match evenly poised at halfway.

A 165-run stand between Mark Stoneman and Holden helped the visitors post 271 second time around. Chasing 274, Leicestershire were dismissed for 194 despite Colin Ackermann’s fluent 80.

In Focus:

After putting pen to paper on a three-year return to Leicestershire in the winter, Ben Mike is making his mark as a Fox once again.

The all-rounder currently sits top of the Club’s charts for both batting (166 runs @ 80.5) and bowling averages (9 wickets @ 33.88) to best underline the impact he’s exuded so far this term.

Mike had a memorable last trip to Lord’s “ scoring a career-best 99 not out and taking 4/15 from seven overs. He’s stated this week he’d like to go one better with bat and ball. If he can, the Foxes will be primed for another positive result.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Speaking of talented all-rounders back at their former side, Ryan Higgins is having a very memorable 2024 so far.

The 29-year-old has scored 448 runs at a mighty 112 from the opening four games, and like Mike he has nine wickets, taken at 28.66.

With more than 4,000 runs and 254 first-class wickets to his name, Higgins is a threat to Leicestershire’s fortunes in both disciplines this week.

Squad:

Matt Salisbury drops out of the squad, with the remaining 14 from the Northamptonshire fixture all in contention.

Leicestershire: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, Currie, Green, Handscomb, Harris, Hill*, Hull, Kimber, Mike, Patel, Scriven, Trevaskis.