County Championship Essentials: Hampshire v Middlesex

Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, predictions and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...

Fixture: Hampshire v Middlesex

Venue: Ageas Bowl

Dates: Thursday, April 15, 2021-Sunday, April 18, 2021

Start time: 11am (session times have been altered during the first three days to cater for a pause between 2.50pm and 4.10pm on Saturday for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral)

What's the lowdown?

Hampshire made a fast start to their County Championship season with an innings victory over Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground. 

Lewis McManus, the Hampshire wicketkeeper, will have his performance under the spotlight following a controversial stumping incident which has sparked Leicestershire to submit a formal complain to the ECB. McManus removed Hassan Azad's bails with one hand while the ball was in the other, above his head, and successfully appealed for the batsman's dismissal. 

Middlesex were narrowly beaten by Somerset in a topsy-turvy encounter at Lord's. 

Who's in form?

James Vince started the season in typically destructive fashion, smashing 231 at better than a run a ball. Liam Dawson, back in the Hampshire side after eight months out injured with a ruptured right Achilles, hit a rapid 150, and Tom Alsop also scored a century. Mason Crane claimed six wickets in the match.

For Middlesex, Sam Robson became the first centurion of the summer and managed 165 of his side's first-innings total of 313 against Somerset. 

Ethan Bamber, the young seamer, impressed with the ball, taking six wickets in the match.

Last five first-class matches (most recent first)

Hampshire: WLDWW

Middlesex: LLWDL

Head-to-head first-class record

Total matches: 147

Nottinghamshire wins: 29

Warwickshire wins: 61

Draws: 56

Ties: 1

Abandoned: 2

What's the team news?

Hampshire: Hants are unchanged from the win over Leicestershire. Lewis McManus keeps his place after a tough week, while Aneurin Donald, Keith Barker and James Fuller remain out injured.

Mohammad Abbas is in line to make his home debut.

Hampshire squad: James Vince (c), Lewis McManus, Kyle Abbott, Mohammad Abbas, Tom Alsop, Joe Weatherley, Mason Crane, Brad Wheal, Scott Currie, Sam Northeast, Liam Dawson, Felix Organ, Ian Holland

Middlesex: Leg-spinner Nathan Sowter has been added to Stuart Law's 14-man squad, replacing young seamer Blake Cullen, who was unused during Middlesex's four-wicket defeat against Somerset. Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins shared spin-bowling duties in the absence of Sowter, Thilan Walallawita and Luke Hollman at Lord's.

Steven Finn is also included; he was left out last time out and spent the start of this week in second XI action against a combined Kent/Sussex XI.

Middlesex squad: Stevie Eskinazi (c), Martin Andersson, Ethan Bamber, Jack Davies, Steven Finn, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm, Max Holden, Tim Murtagh, Sam Robson, Toby Roland-Jones, John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Robbie White

Latest Hampshire news: Click here

Latest Middlesex news: Click here

Who's said what?

Coming soon.

What's the weather forecast?

Cloudy skies are replaced by some brighter conditions on days three and four and bar the threat of some rain on the first evening, the game should be completed without any significant delays.

Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for the Ageas Bowl: Click here

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Hampshire offer a live stream facility on their website: Click here

The service is also available via Hampshire's YouTube channel: Click here

All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here

The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.

Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game. 

Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more. 

Going to the game?

Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions. 

Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

Prediction?

Hampshire started in formidable fashion, have the bowling arsenal to trouble anyone in overcast conditions, and the batsmen to make a big difference on first innings. Middlesex's performance in their opening fixture was encouraging, but they will need to be on top form here. Home win.

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