Middlesex vs Northamptonshire, County Championship Divison One, Today Match Prediction 10 July 2023

mdx vs north Match Prediction & Analysis

Two bottom-ranked teams will clash next week in the County Championship Division One when Middlesex takes on Northamptonshire at the Merchant Taylors' School Ground on July 10. Middlesex are floundering in seventh place with 51 points after 7 matches. Northamptonshire have fared worse – 39 points from 7 matches and just one victory compared to two by Middlesex. When the two sides met earlier this season, Northamptonshire registered a comfortable 7-wicket victory.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Middlesex Preview

Middlesex are coming off a crushing innings and 61-run loss against Hampshire at Southampton. They have now lost four matches in a row and need to win a couple of games quickly if they hope to make a turnaround this season. 

Middlesex have struggled this year because their batting unit has failed to perform consistently. In the previous game, they were bundled out for 150 and 202, respectively. Ryan Higgins’ 54 in the second innings was their only fifty-plus score in that match. Higgins is the team’s leading run-scorer this year, with 485 runs in 7 matches at an average of 40.41.

John Simpson (311 runs in 7 matches at an average of 25.91) and opener Sam Robson (305 runs in 7 matches at an average of 25.41) are the only other batters who have made a decent contribution.

Middlesex’s bowling unit has done a little better. Fast bowlers Ethan Bamber (21 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 22.38) and Toby Roland-Jones (18 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 30.72) have easily stood out above the rest with their ability to take regular wickets. The team will also be delighted that all-rounder Joshua De Caires ended up taking seven wickets in his very first match of the season. Although his role is primarily that of a batter, he has shown he can be more than useful with his off-breaks.

Middlesex Predicted Playing XI:

Sam Robson, Mark Stoneman, Pieter Malan, Max Holden, John Simpson (wk), Ryan Higgins, Luke

Northamptonshire Preview

Much like Middlesex, Northamptonshire too are struggling to deliver consistently strong batting performances. After that win against Middlesex, they have lost four matches out of five, including two back-to-back innings defeats against Hampshire and Kent.

In the second half of the county championship, Northamptonshire would need their batting order to deliver. So far, Rob Keogh (431 runs in 7 matches at an average of 39) has been their best batter. Keogh also scored 97 and 57 in the team’s innings defeat to Kent at Northampton. We are expecting him to continue his great form.

Overseas batter Sam Whiteman has also played a crucial role at No.3, scoring 392 runs in 7 matches at an average of 32.66. Middle-order batter Saif Zaib has made an impact in a short time, scoring 253 runs in just 4 matches at an average of 36.14.

Northamptonshire’s bowling has mostly revolved around Jack White. The fast bowler has been consistently good, picking up 20 wickets across 7 games at an average of 30.55. Sadly, he hasn’t got much support from the other end, which is what has cost the team. Right-arm fast bowler Ben Sanderson has shown promise (10 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 29.40) and is fast emerging as Northamptonshire’s second best bowler of the season.

Northamptonshire Predicted Playing XI:

Ricardo Vasconcelos, Emilio Gay, Sam Whiteman, Rob Keogh, Luke Procter (c), Saif Zaib, Lewis McManus (wk), Tom Taylor, Ben Sanderson, Alex Russell, Jack White

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The Merchant Taylor's School Ground in Northwood offers a good track to bat on. Batters will enjoy batting on this surface. However, the weather during the game is expected to cloudy for the most part with a thundershower in spots during the first two days. That should help the seam bowlers get sufficient movement off the air. Usually, though, batting becomes easier in the final two days

Venue Details

In the last two county championship matches played at the Merchant Taylor's School Ground, the highest team score has been only 244 by Middlesex. In the 2022 match played here, Worcestershire chased a target of 238 against Middlesex with 7 wickets remaining. The team batting first here would look to post a total of around 300-350 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

This will be the first match of the season to be played at the Merchant Taylors' School Ground, Northwood. Since rain is expected during the first two days of the match, the team winning the toss is likely to field first to utilize the bowling conditions and make early inroads.