MIDDLESEX V SURREY V at Lord's (LVCC)
19-22 JULY 2023

Ninth host the leaders, whose advantage at the top of Division One has been cut from 32 to 13 points in recent weeks, following a defeat to Lancashire followed by a high-scoring draw with Notts.

Middlesex, who have lost three out of their last four, very nearly turned a bit of a corner in their most recent outing, against Northants at Merchant Taylors' School, which ended, remarkably, with scores level.

If, by some miracle, the North Londoners stay up this season, it will be due to their decision to tempt all-rounder Ryan Higgins back from Gloucestershire. The 28-year-old has scored 554 championship runs at an average of 42.61 in addition to claiming 23 wickets at 23.52 apiece.

Nathan Bamber also has 23 scalps and, with an average of 23.69, isn't far behind Higgins, while the two established acts - namely Tim Murtagh (21 at 20.71) and Toby Roland-Jones (21 at 31.90) - have also dipped their bread.

Another plus in a season of relatively few for Middlesex has been the emergence of 21-year-old spinner Josh De Caires, who has grabbed ten wickets in two championship appearances recently on top of suggesting we can expect more with the bat.

But it's how the willow has been wielded by the North Londoners this summer that has caused much consternation. Max Holden and Stevie Eskinazi might have topped their T20 batting averages, but in the championship they are averaging 18.20 and 14.58 respectively.

At most other counties that's the sort of form that gets you dropped, if others are knocking on the door.

That said, Sam Robson (459 runs at 35.30) seems to be coming into a bit of form after becoming the first Middlesex player in this season's championship to reach three figures, against Northants. If there's one man you can always depend on for late order runs it has to be wicketkeeper John Simpson (387 runs at 27.64).

Two players who could be key for Surrey are Rory Burns and Dan Worrall.

Burns has been short of runs of late, but his first-class record against Middlesex is a respectable 909 runs at an average of 53.47, including three centuries. Worrall versus the North Londoners with the ball reads 16 f-c wickets at 20.25, including a couple of five-fers.

Surrey v Middlesex - First-Class Records Sheet

Will Jacks looks set to make his 50th first-class appearance. Jordan Clark, with 2,859 f-c runs and 196 f-c wickets, has two milestones in his sights, as Ben Foakes (7,831) approaches 8,000 first-class runs. Meanwhile, Middlesex's John Simpson (8,891) is closing in on a 9,000th f-c run.

Surrey have named an unchanged 14-man squad that includes Gus Atkinson, Ryan Patel and Cameron Steel.

The last time Surrey tasted championship success at Lord’s was back in 1997, when Saqlain Mushtaq bowled the South Londoners to an innings victory with figures of 5-50 and 5-66. The Oval outfit’s four-day record in NW8 since then reads P12, W0, D7, L5. But such are the dark clouds hanging over North London, the only thing that could save Middlesex is if they deposit the rain the forecasters are saying is on its way.

M.Stoneman, S.Robson, P.Malan, M.Holden, R.Higgins, J.Simpson (wk), J.De Caires, T.Roland-Jones (capt), T.Helm, E.Bamber and T.Murtagh.

Steve O'Shaughnessey and Rob White.

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