Naavya Sharma's four-wicket haul for Middlesex came in just his third List A game as they routed Glamorgan by eight wickets in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Radlett. Glamorgan were bowled out for 66, their lowest score against Middlesex in List A cricket and their fourth lowest ever, before Middlesex chased the target down in 9.1 overs.
How did Middlesex dismiss Glamorgan so cheaply?
Middlesex overwhelmed Glamorgan with an accurate seam attack on a tricky pitch. Sharma took 4-20, Toby Roland-Jones claimed 3-35 and Noah Cornwell finished with 3-1 as Glamorgan lost their last nine wickets for only 22 runs.
Eddie Byrom top-scored with 29 for an inexperienced Glamorgan side, but the innings collapsed after they had reached 44. Callum Nicholls was initially dismissed lbw by Sharma, who quickly found his rhythm, and the wickets then fell in six consecutive overs as Middlesex pressed their advantage.
Sharma had Henry Hurle caught by wicketkeeper Joe Cracknell for 10, removed Jack Hope-Bell caught at mid-off and then trapped Will Smale lbw. Roland-Jones induced edges from Byrom and Dan Douthwaite to slip, where Sam Robson took two smart catches, while Alex Horton feathered a catch behind. Roland-Jones bowled his full 10-over allocation straight through before Cornwell wrapped up the last three wickets, with Cracknell finishing the innings with four catches.
The difficult bounce did not excuse the extent of Glamorgan's struggles against Middlesex's seamers. It was Glamorgan's lowest total against Middlesex in List A cricket and their fourth lowest score overall.
What did Middlesex do in the chase?
Middlesex made short work of the target after Josh de Caires got them off to a flying start. Twenty came from a nervous first over by Connor O'Riordan, and the hosts reached 50 in just six overs as De Caires and Nathan Fernandes attacked freely.
Captain Andy Gorvin took himself off after just two overs to give Tom Edwards a bowl, but Glamorgan still could not stem the flow of runs. Fernandes made 14 before driving Edwards to mid-on to give the 18-year-old academy product his first senior wicket, and Edwards quickly added a second when Sam Robson was caught behind.
De Caires finished unbeaten on 45 from 30 balls and struck the winning run off the first ball of the 10th over to complete the rout. Middlesex won by eight wickets after chasing 67-2 in 9.1 overs.
Why were Glamorgan so understrength?
Team changes meant the home side were expected to be favourites, but not to the extent of the one-sided match that followed. Middlesex recalled Roland-Jones for Jack Nelson, while Glamorgan handed debuts to two seamers, Tom Edwards and Connor O'Riordan.
Edwards, 18, is an academy product, while O'Riordan has been on an extended second-team trial. Both teams have five players away at the Hundred, but Glamorgan also rested Timm van der Gugten and veterans Colin Ingram and Chris Cooke. Zain ul Hassan was on paternity leave, teenage batter Tom Norton is missing at least most of the competition with a back issue, Jamie McIlroy has a minor niggle and Billy Root was not selected.
Middlesex have won their first three games in the competition, while Glamorgan have one win from three.
What happens next for both sides?
Middlesex travel to Worcester on Friday 31 July for their next fixture. Glamorgan are set to face former England captain Ben Stokes at Durham on Wednesday before further away games against Derbyshire and Hampshire as they look to rebuild confidence.
Key Facts
- Middlesex beat Glamorgan by eight wickets at Radlett in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
- Glamorgan were bowled out for 66, their lowest score against Middlesex in List A cricket.
- Naavya Sharma took 4-20 in just his third List A game.
- Josh de Caires finished unbeaten on 45 as Middlesex chased the target in 9.1 overs.
- Middlesex have won their first three games in the competition; Glamorgan have one win from three.
