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Middlesex and Essex last clashed at Lord’s on 3 September 2020. Batting first in that game, Middlesex got off to a strong start, with their openers engaged in a partnership of 97 runs in 10.1 overs. But the remaining batsmen failed to take advantage of the start, and the fall of regular wickets meant that they were restricted to 167/7 in their allotted overs. Stevie Eskinazi top scored with 51 off 38 balls, with 4 fours and two sixes. His opening partner Max Holden made 46 from 25 balls. barring Luke Hollman who remained unbeaten with 25 off 18 balls, none of the other batsmen made a substantial score. While Cameron Delport and Simon Harmer took two wickets each for Essex, Shane Slater, Matt Quinn, and Dan Lawrence grabbed one wicket each.
When Essex replied, they weathered the fall of wickets to reach a relatively comfortable position of 86 for 3 in 11.3 overs. But a struggling lower middle order made heavy weather of the chase, and Essex were kept down to a score of 156/8, rendering Middlesex the winners by 11 runs. All of Cameron Delport, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Simon Harmer got off to good starts that they failed to convert to big scores. For Essex, Steven Finn was the best bowler grabbing 3/18, while Tom Helm (2/30), Luke Hollman (2/26) and Miguel Cummins (1/49) took the other wickets that fell.
Recent Formp>Middlesex have won just one match so far, versus Hampshire, and lost four, versus Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, and Surrey.Essex have won just one match so far, versus Somerset, and have lost four, versus Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Glamorgan.
Likely XIsp>Middlesex: Stevie Eskinazi, Paul Sterling, Joe Cracknell, Eoin Morgan, John Simpson, Luke Hollman, Chris Green, Blake Cullen, Steven Finn, Ethan Bamber, Tim MurtaghEssex: William Buttleman, Tom Westley, Michael Pepper, Paul Walter, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Neesham, Simon Harmer, Jack Plom, Aron Nijjar, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter
Head-to-Headp>Middlesex have won two of the lost five games versus Essex, while losing just one. (One match ended in a no-result, while another was abandoned.)
