Match Centre

Match Result – Middlesex win by 5 wickets

Middlesex maintain their 100% record in the competition to secure a place in the Final of the 2^nd XI Trophy, after beating Worcestershire comfortably at Radlett by 5 wickets, after dismissing the visitors for just 164.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Worcestershire did not get off to the start they would have liked, as James Fuller struck in the 3^rd over to remove Captain Westbury for a duck, with the score at just 5-1.

Fell joined Rhodes at the crease, and the pair built a steady partnership for the next 10 overs. However, once Fell went in the 13^th over off of James Franklin’s bowling, Middlesex firmly took control of the innings.

A further three wickets fell for just one run from a mixture of Franklin and Sowter, with the latter striking twice in one over- leaving Worcestershire struggling on 75-5.

Rhodes had managed to survive this spell, and was then able to see Worcestershire past 100 with Gibson joining him in what became their second largest partnership of the day. The two put on another 44 runs before Rhodes went at the halfway point in the innings, having scored an impressive 58 for the visitors.

Gibson aimed to score runs quickly, and was able to reach his 50 at almost a run a ball. However, wickets had tumbled around him throughout, and Worcestershire were finally bowled out in the 37^th over, with Brown the final wicket to fall having scored 5, off the bowling of James Fuller.

Worcestershire scored 164 from their innings, with Nathan Sowter finishing the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-23. James Fuller, James Franklin & Walallawita all picked up two each, whilst Ollie Rayner got one.

Middlesex came straight back out to bat, having only just missed the opportunity for an early lunch. They also did not get the start they would have liked, with George Scott dismissed with the first ball of the innings.

After Robbie White went in the 6^th over with the score at 24-2, Worcestershire would have felt they still had a chance of getting back into the match. However, Max Holden & James Franklin batted well to see Middlesex through to Lunch on the 12^th over, with the score at 63-2.

Shortly after Lunch, Holden & Franklin both departed, having made 40 and 21 respectively. With the score at 81-4, Tom Lace and Jack Davies needed to help Middlesex rebuild.

Davies himself went in the 23^rd over, and James Fuller joined Tom Lace with 61 left to secure victory with just 5 wickets left.

Lace and Fuller batted assuredly to see Middlesex across the line, with the pair ending the match undefeated with 11 overs to spare, having hit 39 and 42 respectively.

Middlesex now progress into the Final of the 2^nd XI Trophy, which will be played on Thursday 21^st June.