Gus is ready to run the rule over a contest full of intrigue
THERE’S been friendly fixtures from Taunton to Dubai via Hove, this week, but when you’re only days away from the Champion County match, then you know summer is just round the corner.
Middlesex, winners for the first time in 23 years, take on an MCC side in Abu Dhabi on Sunday in a fixture which is intriguing for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, it will be the first outing of the black-seamed pink Duke ball, which will be used in the round of Championship matches from June 26-29 and then, more importantly, in the Edgbaston Test match against the West Indies in August.
Typically, rain is forecast for Abu Dhabi this weekend (proof, if we ever needed it, that county cricket cannot escape the wet stuff) and with a lush pitch expected, it could mean the ball nibbles round plenty.
This year, the England selectors had greater say in the selection of the MCC squad with many of the group either with the Lions in Sri Lanka, in the North-South squads, or both.
James Whittaker has left town but Angus Fraser has rocked up – in his guise as both Middlesex director of cricket and England selector – so the MCC have plenty to prove.
Could this be the first charge of the pink-ball, white sightscreen specialists ahead of Edgbaston and Adelaide?
There is also a strong chance that this is the final time the fixture takes place in Abu Dhabi, with rumblings aplenty that it could move to the Caribbean.
Middlesex look well-placed to go back-to-back this season, but may go without their entire first-choice bowling line-up on Sunday. Toby Roland-Jones, whose winter away with the Lions was extended for the Sri Lanka ODIs and North-South series, has been allowed to head home to rest, while Ollie Rayner, sore from his winter’s exertions, has not travelled. Tim Murtagh is with Ireland, and Steven Finn could be rested.
In their place come three seamers who have played for the Lions: James Harris, James Fuller, and Tom Helm, rated by the England selectors as their find of the season.
Helm, 22, has suffered plenty with injury but if he can get a full season under his belt then a full national call-up could be on the cards.
Among the batsmen, only Adam Voges has not travelled, so Stevie Eskinazi – who scored a century against Essex last week – gets the chance to force his way into the Championship side.
For MCC, captain Sam Northeast looks set to overcome the hamstring that kept him out of the third North-South match, and will bat at No4 behind Alex Lees, Tom Alsop and Ben Duckett.
Their pace bowling, led by Liam Plunkett and Craig Overton, looks strong but really all eyes will be on their two spinners. Mason Crane took four immaculate wickets in the final North-South game. He will partner Jack Leach as he continues to adjust to his remodelled action.
With Fraser watching on, both have plenty to play for.