Middlesex v Derbyshire – Eskinazi century illuminates opening day

Luke Holman looks forward to the Middlesex season

Middlesex enjoyed the first day spoils against Derbyshire in their County Championship season opener at Lord’s

Middlesex 307-4 (96 overs)
Eskinazi 118, De Caires 80, White 40*

The County Championship season began today, and for Middlesex, it was a promising start. However, for Derbyshire’s Ryan Sidebottom, it was a nightmare beginning after only just joining on a month’s loan from Warwickshire.

On a cloudy day, Derbyshire won the toss and not surprisingly bowled. Mark Stoneman had scored 12 of Middlesex’s 13 runs when Suranga Lakmal had him well caught by Masood, to take his first wicket for the club.

That was probably the highlight of Derbyshire’s day.

The sun was popping in and out from behind the London clouds, but Derbyshire could not quite turn the advantage of bowling under them into an early wicket avalanche that would gain them a strong foothold.

An unfortunate injury firstly adversely reduced the visitors from the Peaks with the experienced Ryan Sidebottom, who had bowled just seven balls, having to leave the field. Their attack began to look thin. Steve Eskinazi and Josh De Caires were about to make it look positively emaciated.

The hosts began to find a groove and proceeded rapidly to a 50 partnership just after midday. They did so mostly by guiding the ball around the field, which had not been easy given the moderate pace of the bowling and a mild wicket. There was the occasional cut and straight drive with power, but one shoulder high lusty cut off Sam Conners that took Eskinazi to 40, was the morning’s highlight.

The Middlesex pairing took the score and then their partnership beyond 150 with hardly a scare or a risk. Eskinazi passed his century in 219 minutes and from 176 balls with barely a risky or adventurous shot.

It was that methodical, and with that calculated unflawed technique, against an average attack further depleted by the loss of Sidebottom, Eskinaki was barely troubled.

However, De Caires could not match him and was caught behind by Brooke Guest off Conners, 20 short of his century and just before the 200 came up.

Eskinazi was finally dismissed for 118 (264 minutes 216 balls) just after tea, caught by Madsen off Lakmal to leave Middlesex at 227-3 (66.2 overs).

Holden came in to join White for the last 80 minutes. The scoring closed down to practically a crawl as the depleted Derbyshire attack maintained its line and length, with only the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.

One more wicket fell as Holden, who enjoyed a 58 run partnership with White, fell for 35; caught by Conners to give Alex Thomson a deserved wicket. White remained on 40, not out.

When Derbyshire come to the crease, they will have to do so with ten men in both innings. There is an injustice in this that the ECB may have to address. If a substitute can field, why can’t one bat?

Also see:

County Season Preview by Peter Moore

“I remember walking up to the Pavilion and I just had tears in my eyes” – Nathan Sowter

Video: Luke Holman season preview

All Middlesex Cricket

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