Middlesex v Kent (27-30 April 2023)

[James Mitchell]

Middlesex v Kent (27-30 April 2023)

[Barmy Kev]

Hopefully go into this match with some momentum after Notts win. Apart from 50% chance of rain Thursday forecast looks promising

[Jonathan Winsky]

After Middlesex were outclassed by Essex and then lost against Northamptonshire in what could transpire to have been a crucial match in the battle against relegation (it will have indeed been a crucial match if Middlesex and Northants spend most of the season towards the bottom of the table), it felt like this could be a difficult County Championship campaign. My disappointment at losing to Northants was certainly not eased when Hampshire bowled them out for 149 and 63 last week. Therefore, it was vital that we beat Nottinghamshire, and hopefully that win will have a galvanising effect on our season.

I can’t see us making many changes to our line-up, if any, compared to the Notts match, as Mark Stoneman, Pieter Malan and Max Holden all got vital runs, John Simpson, Ryan Higgins and Luke Hollman have a habit of scoring important runs down the order, and Toby Roland-Jones, Ethan Bamber and Higgins seem to be bowling well. All we need is for Sam Robson and Stevie Eskinazi to make a 50+ score, and for some players to score some centuries. I am not sure how likely it is that we will make changes to the bowling department to keep players fit, although I am certain that Tim Murtagh and Tom Helm will be keen to return to the side.

It would be great if players on the fringes of our side were able to make a case for inclusion in our 1st XI by performing well in our 2nd XI, but rain has so far washed out all six days on which our 2nd XI have been scheduled to play.

This was supposed to be the second match of Keshav Maharaj’s spell with us. I am not aware of us having plans to bring in a replacement for him. If we find ourselves playing on pitches conducive to spin, maybe his unavailability will be costly. However, if we don’t find ourselves on such pitches, we may find ourselves feeling that he wouldn’t have made a great difference. I would like to think that there is a possibility that it will be the latter.

The division one table is tight, with Hampshire having recorded two wins, Lancashire (who many had tipped to win the title) and Somerset yet to win, and everyone else having recorded one win. Maybe it will transpire that this match will decide who of Middlesex and Kent get relegated. Or, maybe it will transpire that this match will decide who of Middlesex and Kent win the title!

I have only made it to Lord’s once this season, what with the fact I work, I am addicted to following Watford FC around the country on usually a Saturday (regardless of the team’s form), and it is important that I visit my mum (who had a stroke around the time of the match away to Worcestershire last season, which impeded my joy at our promotion) in her care home at least once a week (hopefully it won’t be long before everything is sorted out for her to live at home again, as she will be happier, and I can see her whenever I want rather than having to sacrifice time to see her). Had there been some play last Sunday morning v Notts, I would have gone to Lord’s for a couple of hours before going on to see my mum. My dad and I considered going straight to Lord’s after we left my mum’s care home at about 4:30pm, but my dad was reluctant due to it meaning that we wouldn't be home until gone 7:00pm (and also because he had to make us supper when we got home), and I was worried about the fact that I had too much in my bag, which I knew would get searched if we went. Therefore, we watched the conclusion at home on the stream. I would like to go this coming Sunday morning, but it depends on the match situation and the weather. Friday and Saturday look like the best days weather-wise. If there is any play on Sunday, I could actually attend all day, as the fact that Monday is a bank holiday and I have nothing planned that day means that I could visit my mum then instead of Sunday.

I am glad that Middlesex supporters once again have a messageboard, as following the club is nowhere near the same without one.

[James Mitchell]

Great first post Jonathan. Welcome to the new MTWD Forum.

[Barmy Kev]

Looking forward to further personal perspectives Jonathan. Potentially I can do parts of all 4 days.

[Peter H]

Jonathan is here with his game previews! It already feels like home... :)



Peter (TAFKA NB2)

[David Uren]

Looking at tomorrow’s weather forecast (cloudy morning, wet afternoon), if Toby R-J wins the toss it seems an easy decision to bowl and hope to remove Crawley quickly.

[Paul W]

This is a bit of a catch up post for the three weeks MTWD was off air.

Mike Selvey made a very good point on commentary that the Essex and Northants bowlers made us play at at least 5, if not all 6 balls an over for the first 12 overs in each innings, whereas we were only bowling about 3 per over. Thus they were creating twice as many potential wicket taking deliveries as we were. It may seem churlish to criticise Ryan Higgins after such an excellent start, but I remember his first over in a spell consisted of 6 deliveries all wide of off stump. He started with a maiden, which he seemed satisfied with, but unless the batter had an unexpected rush of blood and chased a wide one, none of those deliveries was ever going to take a wicket. Our batters on the other hand were really under the cosh, and were getting out to good deliveries they had to play at..

Anyway, it's just another way of looking at it, because although our bowling averages look good, and our top 5 batters averages all look bad, arguably it it is the bowlers who could have done more to put the Essex and Northants top order under as much pressure as they did us.

As it happens, Notts bowled much more like us (even with Broad). No-one express pace, and enough deliveries that could be safely be waived through that the pressure didn't feel anywhere near as intense, so Stoneman in particular was untroubled.

Also a new speed gun was used that is supposed to be more accurate. It had the effect of knocking about 5 mph off everyone's speed, so maybe they could issue them to the police!

Well, that was a bit of a catch up. Hopefully our bowlers will make the Kent batters play at as many deliveries in the first twelve overs as they do us.

[Barmy Kev]

My take on today. I arived at Lord's 11.30 Kent were no wickets down scoring at 3 an over. A crucial wicket of dangerman Crawley before I could take my seat. The run rate was squeezed our bowling was accurate , line and length. This inevitably led to more wickets. Those who sit with me know I try to be a punmaster When Ben Cox was out for 0, I said if he repeats this 2nd innings , it will be a Coxless pair.

Due to work, I was planning to leave 3.15 regardless and conveniently, that was time of bad light and drizzle with little more prospect of play. 3 more days not weather affected I should think will lead to a result.

I am happy to update the morning session tomorrow, the only one I can attend for other reasons.

Feel free all here to add your view whether in person or remotely on today's play.

[Peter Hart]

Three more wickets for Ethan Bamber on day 1

[Paul W]

we need to get Grant Stewart early this morning.

He seems to be our nemesis. Sometimes you get a player who seems to reserve his best performances for one opponent, and I bet the first think Grant Stewart did when the fixtures were released was look to see when Kent were playing Middlesex.

First came to our attention in the infamous pink ball game in June 2018, which led to Richard Scott's departure a day or two later. He made 38 and 103 not out coming in at 10 in that game and took 6-22 and 2-36 bowling.

A bit of a bogeyman for us.

[Paul W]

By the way, still getting used to this forum, and it looks like you have to click on 'reply to thread' before you make a post.

The other night I couldn't understand why my post wasn't being accepted, even though the white box to type the message appeared.

Edit to add-

Hopefully some MCC members who didn't post on the old forum will join in. Everyone welcome! We need posters!

[James Mitchell]

By the way, still getting used to this forum, and it looks like you have to click on 'reply to thread' before you make a post.
There is a 'quick reply' box immediately below the last message in the thread. You can type in there and click on 'Post Quick Reply' below that. it's the easiest way to post here.




Hopefully some MCC members who didn't post on the old forum will join in. Everyone welcome! We need posters!Indeed. I also hope that you and the other MTWD members here will encourage other Mddx. supporters to sign up.

[David Uren]

Two wickets in the first two balls of Kent’s second innings for Tim Murtagh!
Alex Crawley will be relieved he won’t have to face Murtagh for England v Ireland (out cheaply to Murtagh in both innings this week)

[Barmy Kev]

My take on today.

I arrived 11.30 and just like the previous day after a wicketless 1st half hour, then we took a wicket as I arrived through North Gate. I was slightly irritated by close 1,000 school kids making screechy noises but there are our future so let it go. More anoying was Grant Stewart saving his best for Middlesex. A spectcular catch from Tom Helm running in from boundary prevented Kent achieving 200.

Middlesex response started 22-0 from first 2 overs. I had to leave at lunch with us 32-1.

Due to my Walking Football commitments viewpoint for rest of day was via Ceefax. A Middlesex early order collapse, Higgins getting us out of jail again, Murts two wickets in first over, kent rallying to close.

Here's to tomorrow and hope to catch as much as possible inbetween religious and watching football priorities.

Thank you for listening.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I would like to think that Middlesex are in a great position in this match.


I would like to think that our bowlers will be fresh enough to start tomorrow morning as well as we started tonight's evening session, especially as we have only bowled 82.2 overs in the match so far, and made two changes from our previous match. The ball is still relatively new.

It could turn out to be vital our bowlers can keep Kent’s score down, as I feel uncertain about our batting, despite managing to chase 249 last week. In our six other innings this season, our score at the fall of the fifth wicket has been 20, 76, 36, 80, 148 and 62, so hopefully we won’t find ourselves once again needing our middle- or lower-order to score runs.

The Middlesex supporter in me would feel worried if Kent spend a great deal of tomorrow batting. However, if that was to happen, at least it would increase the likelihood of me having some cricket to watch on Sunday, and also the likelihood of me gaining some points in Know Your Cricket for match runs (my prediction was 1,000) and for runs for my batter Mark Stoneman and wildcard Ryan Higgins (although, as I have previously written, I would like Stoneman and our top-order to get the runs, and not leave it to Higgins, John Simpson, Luke Hollman and our bowlers).

[Paul W]

Hi Jonathan!

With regards to 'Know your cricket' it seems it is perfectly legitimate to select a player in more than one category if you want to. Thus the people who end up top of the leader board in a match have usually selected Ryan Higgins twice. I'm seriously thinking of having him as my batter, bowler and wildcard in the next match! It would be putting all my eggs in one basket though, and knowing my luck he'd pull up lame in the first over. As it happens, my bowling pick, Ethan Bamber has more wickets than Higgo so far in this match. Still waiting for Pieter Malan to produce the sort of form his career stats say he should, but then that's true of all the batters.

I wonder if we will rotate Ryan Higgins the same way we do the other seamers. I suspect (and hope) the answer is 'No' because he is far too valuable a batter to do that, which makes me think there was no need to rotate TRJ out of this match, as everyone has next week off anyway. Feels more like trying to keep everyone happy, rather than being ruthless and selecting TRJ ahead of Helm.

There is every chance this game will be won or lost by 20 runs, or 2 wickets, meaning one team will take away 19 points and the other only 3.

Seems like too big a differential for two evenly matched sides. Maybe there should be a graduated form of points depending on the margin of the win (more if you win by 100, or 200 runs, or an innings, or pass the total with less than 5 wickets down)

Still, I'll be happy with 16 points, provided we win!

[Paul W]

Serves Billings right for messing around, trying to waste time!

[Paul W]

A thousand first team wickets for Middlesex for Tim Murtagh- 4 day, T20 and List A combined.

[Paul W]

Excellent!

A most satisfying Saturday's viewing, and in the end a comfortable victory.

Robbo seizing the chance to start to repair his average, and we are (for now) comfortably away from the relegation zone.

Averages a after four matches-

https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/county-championship-division-one-2023-15156?team=1241

[Barmy Kev]

My take on today.

This morning, I was somewhere where I should not have checked my phone for cricket update, but I did. The odd checking indicated runs or wickets weren't moving fast or there was issue wth wifi. My journey to Lord's saw 3 quick wickets.

I arrived at Lord"s after lunch and witnessed Kent bastmen still tied down and losing wickets, Their last wicket partnership gave it an entertaing cameo. Somewhere from this Murts achieved his 1000th wicket,

There wre a few iffy moments at beginning on our modest run chase. We got there comfortably and left for my plan B watching Barnet's final game of the season.

Thank you for listening.