Middlesex vs Somerset, County Championship Divison One, Today Match Prediction

mdx vs som Match Prediction & Analysis

After winning two back-to-back games in the County Championship Division One 2023, Middlesex suffered a huge 3-wicket loss against Surrey in their previous game. They are now 6th on the table with 2 wins, 3 losses, and 48 points. Their next opponents are Somerset, whom they meet at Lord’s on the 18th of May. Somerset haven’t won a game yet this season, but have 4 draws and one loss to their name. They are 8th on the table with 44 points.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Middlesex Preview

Middlesex were beaten comprehensively by 9 wickets in their previous game by table-toppers Surrey. After being asked to bat first on a pitch that was doing something at the Kennington Oval, Middlesex were bundled out for just 209. They were only trying to catch up after that and eventually gave Surrey a target of just 70 runs to win, which they polished off without any trouble.

Sam Robson’s 76 and Pieter Malan’s 66 in the first innings were the only highlights for Middlesex from the previous match. They will be hoping that their leading run-getter of the season, Ryan Higgins (373 runs in 9 innings at an average of 46.62), comes to the party for them in this game. Higgins has already smashed 4 fifties and a hundred this season. The seam-bowling all-rounder has been more than handy with the ball as well, taking wickets at an average of 22.13.

In fact, Middlesex have done a lot better on the bowling front, with 24-year-old fast bowler Ethan Bamber leading the way with 19 wickets in just 4 matches at a superb average of 17.84. Tim Murtagh (18 wickets in 3 matches at 18.50) and Toby Roland-Jones (16 wickets in 4 matches at 24.56) are the other two seamers who have been very consistent this year. With this seam bowling unit, Middlesex can put pressure on the opposition if the wicket offers some movement.

Middlesex Predicted Playing XI:

Sam Robson, Mark Stoneman, Pieter Malan, Stephen Eskinazi, Max Holden, John Simpson (wk), Ryan Higgins, Luke Hollman, Toby Roland-Jones (c), Ethan Bamber, Tim Murtagh

Somerset Preview

All three of Somerset’s matches have been draws. They will be desperately hoping to get their first win here. The good thing for Somerset is that their batters have been doing a good job. James Rew is leading the batting charts this season, and by some distance. The wicket-keeper batter has already amassed a whopping 539 runs in 9 innings at an average of 67.37. He has 3 hundred and 1 fifty this season, including a fine 89 in the previous match against Northamptonshire at Taunton. It goes without saying that he will be Somerset’s main batter to watch out for.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (280 runs in 9 innings at an average of 31.11) and captain Tom Abell (271 runs in 7 innings at an average of 38.71) have also been consistent. Meanwhile, all-rounder Kasey Aldridge has made a solid impression in just the three matches he has played, collecting 243 runs at an outstanding average of 81.

As far as bowling is concerned, Lewis Gregory has been their best, taking 21 wickets in 6 innings at a healthy average of 19.66. Peter Siddle (13 wickets in 6 innings at 23.61) has brought all his experience to this lineup, while left-arm spinner Jack Leach (14 wickets in 7 innings at 33.50) has been among the wickets as well.

Somerset Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Lammonby, Sean Dickson, Cameron Bancroft, Tom Abell (c), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Rew (wk), Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Kasey Aldridge, Jack Leach, Peter Siddle

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Lord’s is one of the best sporting wickets in the world. While it does offer help to the seamers, batters too can enjoy their time here because of the true bounce.

The weather in London during the game will be partly sunny for most part of the four days.

Venue Details

Lord’s hasn’t been a high-scoring venue this season, with the highest score posted here in the County Championship Division One being 364 by Nottinghamshire. The second-highest total is 274 by Middlesex. The team batting first in this match should look to set a total of around 300 runs. That will certainly give them an advantage.

Toss: To Bowl

Out of the five matches played at Lord’s this season in the County Championship Division One, the team winning the toss has chosen to bowl four times. The batting second has won on four occasions. It’s safe to assume that the team winning the toss in this game will opt to bowl first.