Middlesex had two no results on Sunday despite the best efforts of Wales and Neath Cricket Club who hosted the matches at late notice as the continued rain meant Newport Cricket Club was not fit to play at.
Unfortunately the match against hosts Wales was abandoned without a ball being bowled which meant both teams got a point.
The second fixture of the day was due to be Middlesex against Lancashire and looked set to start on time at 1:30, but issues with the sight screens meant the start of play was delayed and the match reduced to 16 overs aside. Middlesex won the toss and elected to field first, opening with Lauren Bell and Katie Wolfe against the left-hand/right-hand combination of Lancashire skipper Evelyn Jones and Georgie Boyce. Bell delivered a tight first over which went for just a single before the Red Rose batters took a liking to Wolfe scoring 13 runs. Young quick Wolfe was given a second over and trapped Jones lbw for six and Lancashire were 21-1 after four overs. Bell struck in the following over as the attacking Boyce was dismissed lbw for a run-a-ball 15 which brought Ellie Threlkeld to the middle, joining Emma Lamb.
The pair looked comfortable at the crease, finding boundaries with regularity whether that was dispatching pace or spin for four. The damp ball proved a challenge for the bowlers but the skilful timing from the Lancashire duo meant the sodden outfield had little impact on the runrate. It was off-spinner Emma Albery who broke the partnership with the first ball of the 16th, bowling Threlkeld for 27 and at the end of the over Lancashire were 92-3. With the innings cut-off time fast approaching off-spinner Bhavika Gajipra bowled five balls of the 16th to complete the innings, with Lancashire posting 107-3, Lamb 41 not out off 29 balls and Laura Marshall 11 not out. Bell was the pick of the bowlers finishing with figures of 1-7 from her three overs
In reply, Middlesex opened with new duo Cordelia Griffith and Amara Carr who faced seamer Laura Jackson and the off-spin of Lamb. The revised target was 103 from 15 overs and after two overs the scoreboard read 14-0 with Middlesex marginally ahead of the required run rate. Unfortunately just one more delivery was bowled by Jackson before the rain returned and the match was abandoned with Griffith and Carr unbeaten on three and eight respectively.
Middlesex are now sixth on the table and play Kent and Warwickshire on Sunday.
