We examine how 2016 Championship winners Middlesex are shaping up ahead of county cricket 2019 as they look to address their batting woes.
This county cricket 2019 preview was first published in issue 18 of Wisden Cricket Monthly. Subscribe here.
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Captain: Dawid Malan
Last season: CC2: 4/10; RL50: 6/9 South Group; T20: 9/9 South Group
Transfers in: AB de Villiers (SA, T20), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg, T20)
Transfers out: James Fuller (Hants), Ravi Patel (released), James Franklin, Nick Compton (both retired), Tom Lace (Derbyshire, loan)
Stick on: Tim Murtagh
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Tim Murtagh celebrates with the County Championship trophy in 2016[/caption]
After a comparatively quiet 2017, the 37-year-old bowled as well as he’s ever done last year, taking 58 Championship wickets at 15 – his biggest haul for five seasons.
Wildcard: Tom Helm
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Tom Helm, who has represented England Lions, is one to watch in county cricket 2019[/caption]
Described by Andy Flower as an England star in the making, we’re still waiting for the 24-year-old quick to blossom, largely due to a succession of injuries. Will Middlesex be prepared to drop one of their more experienced seamers and unleash him?
Prediction
CC2: 3/10; RL50: 7/9 South Group; T20: 8/9 South Group
The 2016 Championship winners were expected to return to the top tier at the first time of asking but their batsmen suffered a collective horror show and let the excellent work of their formidable seam attack go to waste. In Stuart Law they have a new coach who knows a thing or two about run-making and failure to win promotion would be considered a major disappointment.
