Middlesex's talented squad can start afresh
ESPNcricinfo looks at Middlesex's prospects for 2015
Alan Gardner
04-Apr-2015
Eoin Morgan may feel he has something to prove after England's dismal World Cup • Getty Images
Last season
Championship: 7th Div 1; NatWest Blast: 9th South Group; Royal London Cup: 7th Group B
Championship: 7th Div 1; NatWest Blast: 9th South Group; Royal London Cup: 7th Group B
IN: Nick Compton (Somerset), James Franklin
OUT: Gareth Berg (Hampshire), Adam Rossington (Northants), Joe Denly (Kent), Ollie Wilkin (released)
OVERSEAS: Adam Voges (Australia)
OUT: Gareth Berg (Hampshire), Adam Rossington (Northants), Joe Denly (Kent), Ollie Wilkin (released)
OVERSEAS: Adam Voges (Australia)
2014 in a nutshell
After winning four of their first six games - which included pulling off the third-highest fourth-innings chase in the history of the Championship - Middlesex were top of Division One at the end of May. But they failed to record another victory over four days and, by the end of the season, were desperately trying to keep Lancashire at bay - there were extraordinary scenes at Old Trafford as Lancashire celebrated gaining the bonus points they needed but Middlesex batted out 134 overs in the third innings to avoid defeat. In limited-overs cricket, under new captain Eoin Morgan, Middlesex flatlined. Beaten twice in a day during a Lord's double-header to kick off the NatWest Blast, they finished bottom of the South Group and also failed to make an impression in the Royal London Cup.
After winning four of their first six games - which included pulling off the third-highest fourth-innings chase in the history of the Championship - Middlesex were top of Division One at the end of May. But they failed to record another victory over four days and, by the end of the season, were desperately trying to keep Lancashire at bay - there were extraordinary scenes at Old Trafford as Lancashire celebrated gaining the bonus points they needed but Middlesex batted out 134 overs in the third innings to avoid defeat. In limited-overs cricket, under new captain Eoin Morgan, Middlesex flatlined. Beaten twice in a day during a Lord's double-header to kick off the NatWest Blast, they finished bottom of the South Group and also failed to make an impression in the Royal London Cup.
2015 prospects
Narrowly avoiding relegation was just about the only positive last season but Middlesex face a challenge to be more competitive. Their captain and leading batsman, Chris Rogers, is not available due to his involvement with Australia, who arrive for the Ashes after a tour of West Indies; Rogers' replacement, compatriot Adam Voges, has also been called up to Australia's Test squad after leading the Sheffield Shield scoring. Morgan, meanwhile, will be absent for six weeks at the IPL but Sam Robson is available for the start of the season, after being dropped by England, and will form a new opening partnership with the returning Nick Compton. The need for Steven Finn to continue his search for form in county cricket should also boost Middlesex.
Narrowly avoiding relegation was just about the only positive last season but Middlesex face a challenge to be more competitive. Their captain and leading batsman, Chris Rogers, is not available due to his involvement with Australia, who arrive for the Ashes after a tour of West Indies; Rogers' replacement, compatriot Adam Voges, has also been called up to Australia's Test squad after leading the Sheffield Shield scoring. Morgan, meanwhile, will be absent for six weeks at the IPL but Sam Robson is available for the start of the season, after being dropped by England, and will form a new opening partnership with the returning Nick Compton. The need for Steven Finn to continue his search for form in county cricket should also boost Middlesex.
Power brokers
That the waters remain calm at Lord's is down to director of cricket Angus Fraser, who has helped re-establish Middlesex as a top-tier side and won't be panicked by the disappointment of 2014. Fraser hopes Voges will be available to captain in Middlesex's first four Championship matches and he is already looking at possible replacements for the rest of the campaign. Morgan continues as one-day and T20 leader and may feel he has plenty to prove after England's dismal World Cup.
That the waters remain calm at Lord's is down to director of cricket Angus Fraser, who has helped re-establish Middlesex as a top-tier side and won't be panicked by the disappointment of 2014. Fraser hopes Voges will be available to captain in Middlesex's first four Championship matches and he is already looking at possible replacements for the rest of the campaign. Morgan continues as one-day and T20 leader and may feel he has plenty to prove after England's dismal World Cup.
Key player
Aside from Rogers, the only Middlesex batsman to score 1000 Championship runs was Dawid Malan. Since returning to Division One, the opening partnership of Rogers and Robson has helped shield a soft middle order but Malan's form suggested he might be ready to shed a reputation for attractive but insubstantial contributions and help shore up the batting. Malan, who spent the winter playing in the Dhaka Premier Division, already had a reputation as a limited-overs swashbuckler and could be a match-winner in all formats.
Aside from Rogers, the only Middlesex batsman to score 1000 Championship runs was Dawid Malan. Since returning to Division One, the opening partnership of Rogers and Robson has helped shield a soft middle order but Malan's form suggested he might be ready to shed a reputation for attractive but insubstantial contributions and help shore up the batting. Malan, who spent the winter playing in the Dhaka Premier Division, already had a reputation as a limited-overs swashbuckler and could be a match-winner in all formats.
Bright young thing
One of the weapons lacking from England's World Cup armoury was a left-arm spinner. Middlesex have one in Ravi Patel and last summer, at the age of 22, he won a call-up to the Lions despite having taken just four List A wickets at the time - reward for his success in T20, where he was Middlesex's most successful bowler. Says he likes to give the ball a rip and provides a more attacking spin option than Ollie Rayner.
One of the weapons lacking from England's World Cup armoury was a left-arm spinner. Middlesex have one in Ravi Patel and last summer, at the age of 22, he won a call-up to the Lions despite having taken just four List A wickets at the time - reward for his success in T20, where he was Middlesex's most successful bowler. Says he likes to give the ball a rip and provides a more attacking spin option than Ollie Rayner.
ESPNcricinfo verdict
Middlesex have a talented squad and the opportunity to start with a fresh slate. Should Compton contribute the sort of scores he regularly did at Somerset, then they will feel Rogers' absence less keenly, while a bowling attack featuring Finn, Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones gives them a valuable cutting edge, particularly in first weeks of the season. Division One security and an improved limited-overs showing are the minimum requirements but they remain vulnerable, particularly if England follow Australia in depriving them of key players.
Middlesex have a talented squad and the opportunity to start with a fresh slate. Should Compton contribute the sort of scores he regularly did at Somerset, then they will feel Rogers' absence less keenly, while a bowling attack featuring Finn, Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones gives them a valuable cutting edge, particularly in first weeks of the season. Division One security and an improved limited-overs showing are the minimum requirements but they remain vulnerable, particularly if England follow Australia in depriving them of key players.
Bet365 odds: Championship Div 1 12-1, NatWest Blast 25-1, Royal London Cup 25-1
Alan Gardner is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick