Middlesex

[LeedsExile]

I wonder if both teams having to play today will affect their performances tomorrow? In Middlesex's case they will have a very late night as well to contend with. We also have the scenario of players such as both Cooks, Porter & Browne returning having had no cricket for a couple of weeks. With the 10.30 start as well do not be surprised if there are a lot of early wickets.

[Perov]

Westley hasn't had much batting in the last couple of weeks, .........keeps getting out early! 

[SirChef26]

I hope Nick Browne plays. I'm a believer in players gaining confidence from playing sides they've done well against in the past and Browne hit 200 against this lot last time he played them at Chelmsford. If the pitch is like it was against Surrey, play Nijar and use Walter as a third seamer, if not play Allison or Beard.

Browne
Chef
Lawrence
Khushi
Walter
Tendo
Wheater
Harmer
Nijar/Allison/Beard
Cook
Porter

Unfortunately though, Westley will play. Can sense a Tim Murtagh masterclass on the cards.

[LeedsExile]

I sense the toss could be crucial and whoever bats to be at least 5 down by lunch. Scores around the country are often low after returning from 20/20 matches to Championship stuff.

[LeedsExile]

So Middlesex have chosen to bat first. Let's hope they got that wrong.

[JasonP]

So Middlesex have chosen to bat first. Let's hope they got that wrong.

I think it was always likely they'd bat first.  Harmer is the big threat at Chelmsford and they wouldn't want to bat last against him.

[nat]

Westley playing as a specialist captain again.

[Andy]

Anyone seen a pitch inspector?

[Perov]

Anyone seen a batting coach?

[IlfordEagle]

Another tricky day for both sides, stating the obvious the first session tomorrow is absolutely vital for us, we have to get a lead of some kind, if we can reach 200 & actually get a batting point would be good. We have plenty of time, no need to rush & if necessary grind out the runs, knowing Tendo though that is unlikely!
Sky Sports News showed some highlights inc Simon Harmer getting a wicket - except that it was actually Sam Cook!! They then stated that Tendo (his name was pronounced Tendo shate) was still in, bit of a lack of professionalism from them which was surprising, rather like the kind of info you'd get from the BBC!!

[Andy]

Actually no one pronounces RtD correctly according to my ex colleague, who is Dutch.

[vim]

I believe the threshold for a pitch inspector is more than 15 wickets in a days play.

[SirChef26]

Suspect a win isn't going to be enough, Worcestershire need just one more batting point than us to finish above us should they win, which looks very likely considering our position. Derbyshire just need to beat Lancashire and they are facing a second XI Lancs bowling line-up tomorrow to tuck into.

As we all suspected, the embarrassing batting points column is going to cost us a place at Lords, unless Tendo, Wheater and Harmer can do something remarkable tomorrow. Murtagh will have them all out by 11am I reckon.

[LeedsExile]

Why do people still talk about pitch inspectors? They were abolished years ago and replaced by the match referee, present at every match. Even the Somerset commentator, yesterday, was whining about the pitch inspector needing to go to Chelmsford.

[Andy]

Why do people still talk about pitch inspectors? They were abolished years ago and replaced by the match referee, present at every match. Even the Somerset commentator, yesterday, was whining about the pitch inspector needing to go to Chelmsford.

So the match referee is the pitch inspector?