Middlesex Match Preview - 20/09/2022

Last Time We Met:

The two sides last met in the County Championship during Middlesex’s 10-wicket win at Lord’s in April. The hosts made the most of their fortune at the toss, skittling Leicestershire out for 149, before going on to post 370 in their first innings.

Mark Stoneman struck a century, while Ben Mike waited 98 overs to be introduced to the attack, taking 4/15 when he eventually got the nod.

Mike’s luck wasn’t to last though, when he was left stranded on an agonising 99 not out in the second innings, one run shy of an elusive maiden career ton. It left the Foxes 272 all out, meaning Middlesex needed just 51 runs to win, which they did inside 11 overs at no cost to the wickets’ column.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Toby Roland-Jones has had a magnificent summer. After overcoming the back issues that have plagued his progress in recent seasons, he’s shown the county circuit his class once again.

The 34-year-old has taken 55 wickets, the most in the division, at a cost of just 19.81 each, while his economy rate also proves his frugality, going at just 2.7 runs per over.

He’s also displayed his ability with bat in hand too, averaging 25.45 with a healthy strike rate just shy of 65.

Fox to Watch:

Michael Finan evidenced his claim to be a ‘quick learner’ during last week’s fixture with Durham. His opening spell with the second new ball in the first innings, and the first new ball in the second innings showed he has the capability to develop into a consistently threatening first-class bowler.

Since his step up from national county level, the 26-year-old has taken seven wickets at 38.42, offering a new dimension to the Foxes’ attack with express pace and operating as a left-arm option.

Like Roland-Jones, he’s also no mug with the bat. His debut 50 at Notts showed his belligerence, particularly when receiving a chorus of chin music, but against his Durham he also exhibited some classic strokes that belie his carding at number 11.

Squad:

Sam Evans has recovered from illness and returns to the fold. Rehan Ahmed has also recuperated from a minor elbow injury that prevented his involvement in the previous two fixtures. Wiaan Mulder has returned to South Africa following the conclusion of the Proteas’ Test match with England last week.

Leicestershire: Ackermann, Ahmed, Barnes, Budinger, Evans, Finan, Kimber, Parkinson*, Patel, Scriven, Swindells+, Walker, Wright.