Middlesex vs Surrey, RLODC, Today Match Prediction 05 August 2023

MID vs SUR Match Prediction & Analysis

The Royal London One-Day Cup 2023 is now underway. Middlesex and Surrey have both lost their first matches of the season. Both had a below par season last year and have to make sure they don’t mess up this time. The two teams will face-off at the Radlett Cricket Club this Saturday. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

MID

L L W W L

HAM

238/5 in 37.1 6.42

RLODC

Hampshire beat Middlesex (D/L method)

01 Aug 2023

MID

309/7 in 50.0 6.18

MID

238/10 in 85.1 2.8

CC_2023

Surrey won by 8 wickets

19 Jul 2023

SUR

78/2 in 11.1 7.03

GLA

151/10 in 15.3 9.74

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

02 Jul 2023

MID

200/9 in 20.0 10

ESS

225/6 in 20.0 11.25

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

30 Jun 2023

MID

226/8 in 19.4 11.49

KENT

228/3 in 20.0 11.4

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

23 Jun 2023

MID

173/10 in 19.0 9.11

SUR

L W L W L

SUR

325/10 in 49.5 6.57

RLODC

03 Aug 2023

LEI

329/5 in 42.2 7.8

MID

238/10 in 85.1 2.8

CC_2023

Surrey won by 8 wickets

19 Jul 2023

SUR

78/2 in 11.1 7.03

SOM

142/7 in 19.0 7.47

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

Somerset won by 24 runs

15 Jul 2023

SUR

118/10 in 16.5 7.01

LAN

174/6 in 20.0 8.7

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

Surrey won by 13 runs

07 Jul 2023

SUR

187/5 in 20.0 9.35

SUR

195/6 in 20.0 9.75

VITALITY T20 BLAST 2023

Essex beat Surrey by 3 wickets

02 Jul 2023

ESS

199/7 in 20.0 9.95

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Middlesex Preview

Middlesex played their first match of their Royal London One-Day Cup 2023 campaign against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Asked to bat first, Middlesex posted a healthy total of 309-7 on the board courtesy of a strong batting performance. In their reply, Hampshire was coasting at 238-5 in 37.1 overs before rain interrupted the match and no further play was possible. Hampshire was declared the winner as they were ahead of the DLS score of 221 at the time.

Despite losing the game, Middlesex wouldn’t be too disappointed, as almost all of their batters made some contribution. Ryan Higgins top-scored with 78 off 53 balls, while opener Joe Cracknell paved the way with a knock of 64 off 71 balls.

One batter we believe will make an impact in this game is Sam Robson. He was the team’s second-highest run-getter in 2022, with 469 runs in 8 innings at an average of 67.

Luke Hollman was the standout bowler for Middlesex in the previous game. On a flat pitch, where almost every other bowler was being tonked around, he gave away just 45 runs from his 10 overs and took two wickets. He was the leading wicket-taker for Middlesex last year and looks all set to repeat that performance. 

Right-arm seam bowler Martin Andersson (9 wickets in 8 matches last season) is another bowler worth keeping an eye on.

Middlesex Predicted Playing XI:

Joe Cracknell, Mark Stoneman (c), Sam Robson, Jack Davies, Ryan Higgins, John Simpson (wk), Luke Hollman, Josh De Caires, Martin Andersson, Blake Cullen, Ethan Bamber

Surrey Preview

Surrey would have imagined they had a pretty good chance of winning their first game of the season after posting 325 against Leicestershire at Kennington Oval. However, that was not to be, as Leicestershire romped home after polishing off the target in just 42.2 overs.

Despite that loss, Surrey would be satisfied with their batting performance, particularly with Ben Foakes, who played beautifully for his 106 runs off 107 balls. Cameron Steel (50 off 40 balls) and Ben Geddes (67 off 39 balls) then provided the finishing touches. 

Ben Geddes (567 runs at 51.5) and Ryan Patel (399 runs at 79.8) have caught everyone's attention with their outstanding performances in the Second XI Championship and are now eager to leave a lasting impression in the One-Day Cup. Geddes, 22, has already made his mark with two half-centuries last year in the competition while also scoring impressive first-class centuries, despite limited opportunities in red-ball cricket.

Among the bowlers, Conor McKerr and Daniel Moriarty have been exceptional for Surrey in the Second XI Championship, securing 16 and 11 wickets, respectively. McKerr was the team’s highest wicket-taker last year with 10 scalps at an economy of 5.84.

Another bowler to watch out for is 19-year-old Yousef Majid. Last year, the slow left-arm spinner made an impression with his control and temperament, while taking 9 wickets at 5.57 runs per over.

Surrey Predicted Playing XI:

Rory Burns (c), Dominic Sibley, Ryan Patel, Ben Geddes, Ben Foakes (wk), Cameron Steel, Jordan Clark, Conor McKerr, Yousef Majid, Daniel Moriarty, Matt Dunn

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Radlett Cricket Club is a batter’s paradise and a graveyard for the bowlers. This will be the first match of the season here, so the pitch is expected to be fresh and hard, allowing the ball to come on nicely to the bat. Seamers might get some help early on because of the overhead conditions.

The weather in Radlett during the match will be rather cloudy, with a couple of heavy showers in the afternoon.

MID vs SUR Pitch Report

Last season, four totals over 340 were posted at the Radlett Cricket Club, with Middlesex’s 374-3 against Warwickshire being the highest. Another high-scoring game is on the cards, and the team batting first should look to set a total of at least 350 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

During last year's Royal London One-Day Cup, the Radlett Cricket Club hosted four matches, with three being won by the team batting first and one by the chasing team. This is a beautiful batting deck, and it makes sense to win the toss, bat first, and post a massive score to put the opposition out of the game. That said, with rain expected in the afternoon, the team winning the toss might be tempted to bowl first.