Vitality Blast Match Preview – Middlesex v Glamorgan

Vitality Blast Match Preview – Middlesex v Glamorgan

For those loving county cricket being played at club grounds, Radlett is certainly a fitting setting. Glamorgan will be the latest visitors when they play the final match of their tour of the south east against Middlesex. Middlesex have underperformed in this competition in recent years, not having made Finals Day since they won the competition back in 2008. Likewise, Glamorgan have had a lean few years and have also only made Finals Day on one occasion, in 2017.

Middlesex have made a strong start this year, with two wins from two. In their first game, also played at Radlett, they won by 30 runs against Gloucestershire, posting a first innings total of 229/9, thanks to 87 off 53 balls from their skipper, Steve Eskinazi. Their second game in Southampton was a closer affair. They managed to defend a total of 163 against Hampshire, thanks to the leg spin of Luke Hollman (3/34) and the ever reliable seam of Toby Roland-Jones (2/19).

Glamorgan meanwhile had a fairly comfortable win against Sussex, chasing down a target of 151 with seven balls to spare, thanks to 63 from Sam Northeast. In their second game they lost narrowly to Surrey, the game going down to the last over. Glamorgan posted a sub-par total of 173, thanks again to runs from Sam Northeast (65). The top bowling performances for Glamorgan, in both games, came from veteran Michael Hogan, who took 3/26 in the first and 5/18 against Surrey.

Middlesex will start favourites in this clash, with a high scoring game looking likely.

Key players:

Leg-spinner, Luke Hollman has made a strong start to this year’s competition, so far taking five wickets and conceding a very acceptable 8.63 runs/over. At just 21 years old, he undoubtedly has a big future in the white ball format, but it is not just with the ball that he is making a mark. In the County Championship this season he has scored 183 runs at an average of 45.75.

Michael Hogan has been a fan favourite since he joined Glamorgan back in 2013. He has set numerous records at the club and is still turning in match winning performances as he approaches his 41st birthday. He has come back into the T20 side this season because of injuries, having not played in the format since 2019 and is straight away setting the standard for the other bowlers to meet. He will create a large void for the club to fill when he retires at the end of the season.

Team News:

Middlesex have had some issues with their overseas signings but Australian all-rounder, Chris Green is in place and he is joined in the squad by fellow countryman Jason Behrendorff. Eoin Morgan scored a rapid 41 in the first game but was not in the squad for the second. It is assumed he will come back in for this game as he manages his work load.

Middlesex squad: Stephen Eskinazi (c), Martin Andersson, Jason Behrendorff, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Jack Davies, Chris Green, Max Holden, Luke Hollman, Eoin Morgan, Toby Roland-Jones, John Simpson (wk), Thilan Walallawita

For Glamorgan, Prem Sisodiya took some punishment in the Surrey game and with the ball not turning and the short boundaries at Radlett, might drop out. Joe Cooke has not bowled in the first two games and Andrew Salter could come in, especially given his strong fielding.

Glamorgan squad: David Lloyd (c), Kiran Carlson, Chris Cooke (wk), Joe Cooke, Dan Douthwaite, James Harris, Michael Hogan, Colin Ingram, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Sam Northeast, Andrew Salter, Prem Sisodiya, James Weighell

Weather and Conditions

The forecast is for a coolish afternoon (top temperature 14°C) with the small chance of a shower.

Radlett, being a club ground, has relatively short boundaries and spectators need to take care where they park their cars. The team batting first will want a score in excess of 200 to feel comfortable.

Date: 29th May 2022

Time: 02:30pm

Ground: Radlett

Odds (SkyBet): Middlesex 8/13; Glamorgan 5/4

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