Middlesex win puts them in title contention

Middlesex won by eight wickets and 28 balls to spare. Worcestershire put up a spirited fight with the bat but they could not control some fierce attacking batting from Middlesex.

Every time one side felt they were on top in the Worcestershire innings the other team pegged then back. Middlesex will have felt they finished stronger eventually bowling out their hosts from the final ball. Hayleigh Brennan and Gayatri Gole gave little away with just 8 runs coming from the first three overs. Gole struck with the first ball of the fourth over and Middlesex were on top.

Sarah Glenn the new batter started to find the middle of her bat from the get-go and she threatened to take the game away Middlesex. It was only an innings of 21 balls, but the intent was good and the execution was masterful. That was until she was caught low at cover as Bhavika Gajipra took her second wicket of the game.

Gajipra in her first season with Middlesex looked to contain the attacking Worcestershire batting line-up. It did work and bowling in tandem with fellow spinner Emma Albery took the game back Middlesex’s way. Gajipra finished with 3 for 20, the same as opening bowler Gole. Worcestershire were eventually bowled out for 111 from the final ball of their twenty overs.

On a good pitch, the Middlesex batters were able to get their hands through the ball and find the gaps. Naomi Dattani their captain got off to a good start. She was missing her regular opening partner Natasha Miles, and with Fran Wilson and Sophia Dunkley also missing the pressure was on the top order.

They responded and at the end of the powerplay, they were ahead of Worcestershire at the same stage. Where Worcestershire lost wickets, the winning side picked up the pace and regularly found the boundary. Maia Bouchier and Amara Carr added 59 for the second wicket from 49 balls to put their side in control.

Middlesex play Lancashire straight after and they will be feeling confident they can keep the momentum going.