Middlesex 2nd XI v Essex 2nd XI
Second XI Championship, Monday 13 September
Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood
Team News:
Middlesex 2nd XI:: Josh de Caires, Zachary McCaskie, Jack Davies, James Cracknell, Nathan Fernandes, Nathan Sowter*, Tom Helm, Daniel O’Driscoll (wk), Viren Patel, Max Harris, Toby Greatwood.
Essex 2nd XI: Robin Das, Joe MacGregor, Feroze Khushi, Josh Rymell, Will Buttleman (wk), Luc Benkenstein, Nikhil Gorantla, Aaron Beard (c), Jamal Richards, Jack Plom, Alex Russell, Harry Phillips.
Match Details:
Umpires: NJ Piper & MD Watton
Toss: Essex 2nd XI won and elected to bat first
Result: Middlesex 2nd XI won by 4 wickets
Essex 2nd XI: 305 & 222-9 dec
Middlesex 2nd XI: 245 & 287-6
Match Report
Essex disappointingly concluded the Second XI Championship campaign with a four-wicket defeat to their Middlesex counterparts at the Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood this week.
Tom Helm’s unbeaten second innings knock of 95 helped the hosts over the line. The 27-year-old right-hander compiled his score from 96 balls during a 139-minute stint at the crease. Joe Cracknell contributed 71 with youngster Luc Benkenstein doing his utmost for Essex, taking 4/53, taking his match figures to 7/93.
Earlier, Essex appeared to be in a strong position after posing a first-innings total of 305. Aaron Beard’s superb unbeaten 125 off 139 was the highlight.
Meanwhile, Benkenstein’s heroics with the ball, coupled with 3/42 from Jamal Richards helped establish a healthy advantage.
Robin Das hit 80, while Will Buttleman reached his half-century, seemingly putting Essex in control. However, Helm saved the best for last to see Middlesex home with some to spare.
Report courtesy of Brian Jeeves
