Both these sides have struggled in this competition, Middlesex having only reached finals day once, when they won in 2008, and they last made the knock out stages in 2019. Meanwhile Glamorgan have been to finals day twice, the last time in 2017, and have not reached a quarter final since. There are no signs that things will be much different this year, given the limited changes to their personnel.
Middlesex have the advantage of having played on Thursday night, going down to Sussex Sharks by 16 runs. They have brought in Kane Williamson, but the appearance of Ireland’s Josh Little has been delayed because of an injury suffered playing against the West Indies.
Luke Hollman was the one bright light in the bowling department last year, taking 23 wickets with his leg spin. Alongside Zafar Gohar they will be the main threat with the ball. The return of Tom Helm from injury is also a boost.
Before Thursday, Williamson had not played since the Champions Trophy, having not been picked up for the IPL, and then acting as a commentator there rather than join his PSL club. He is opening the batting with Steve Eskinazi, who will be looking for a return to the form he showed in 2023 across white ball formats. Martin Andersson was Middlesex’s leading batter in last year’s competition, but he has now departed to Derbyshire.
The only significant change in the Glamorgan line up is the recruitment of Australian all-rounder Hayden Kerr. The 28-year-old Australian is a T20 specialist, having played for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash. A left arm seam bowling all-rounder, he took nine wickets with an economy of 8.54 in last year’s Bash, but managed just 55 runs with the bat.
One player who Glamorgan will hope can fire is Dan Douthwaite, who missed the Championship block because of a pectoral injury. He is a threat with bat and ball, albeit rather hit or miss. Colin Ingram is the other overseas player, and was having an excellent Championship until replaced by Marnus Labuschagne. The hope is he will come into this competition rested.
Glamorgan will be heavily reliant on the same bowlers that took the field in the Championship, led by Timm van der Gugten, but Jamie McIlroy adds another left arm seam option, and did well in last year’s One Day cup.
They had a warm up match against Wiltshire as part of the National Counties showcase program, and were only able to register a win thanks to a super over, not unable to defend 165 in the allotted 20 overs. The Glamorgan total was due in no small part to an unbeaten 69-run ninth wicket partnership between Ned Leonard (47*) and Andy Gorvin (20*), while Kerr with 1/23 and Crane with 2/21 were the only bowlers to impress. The result will be a concern for coach Richard Dawson, as more than half of the side that took the field will be hoping for game time in the Blast.
As with Middlesex’s game on Thursday night, this is a double header, with the counties’ women’s sides lining up against each other at noon. Middlesex Women will be confident, having a comfortable eight wicket win against Sussex Sharks Women under their belt.
Key players
Middlesex conceded 202 runs in their loss to the Sharks, and although there was a short boundary to one side, they only managed to take four wickets. Tom Helm missed the opening rounds of the County Championship, and clearly Middlesex were keen to save him for the Blast. He has played over 100 T20 matches and will need to be firing if Middlesex are going to keep opposition batters in check.
Mason Crane will be keen to make a mark having been excluded from Glamorgan’s Championship side so far this season, initially through injury and then because of the excellent performances of Ben Kellaway. Kellaway has been tied up with University exams, and was not part of the squad that faced Wiltshire in the National Counties showcase match. The leg spinner is the only one of the Glamorgan squad to have a Hundred contract, and led their wicket taking in last year’s competition with 19 at an economy of 8.52.
Team news:
Max Holden has been called up to the England Lions, whilst Josh Little will miss at least this week.
Middlesex squad (probable): Stephen Eskinazi (capt), Henry Brookes, Noah Cornwell, Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies (wk), Josh De Caires, Leus Du Plooy, Ben Geddes, Zafar Goher, Tom Helm, Ryan Higgins, Luke Hollman, Kane Williamson
Ben Kellaway’s availability is dependent on exams.
Glamorgan squad (from): Kiran Carlson (c), Tom Bevan, Eddie Byrom, Chris Cooke (wk), Mason Crane, Dan Douthwaite, Andy Gorvin, James Harris, Alex Horton, Colin Ingram, Hayden Kerr, Ned Leonard, Jamie McIlroy, Sam Northeast, Will Smale, Timm van der Gugten
Weather and Conditions
The forecast is for a dry sunny day with a moderate breeze.
Middlesex played two T20 games at the school ground at the end of May 2023, the last against Glamorgan, when the visitors chose to bat first and made 238/3. Runs may therefore be aplenty.
Date: 1st June 2025
Time: 16:00
Ground: Merchant Taylor’s School Ground, Northwood
