SAM DALLING AT CHELMSFORD: It was a night Middlesex chased down their 226-run victory target, producing the kind of victory Stephen Eskinazi believed this young group needed to cement their learning
Chelmsford: Essex Eagles 225-6, Middlesex 226-8 - Middlesex won by two wickets
"Please can I have your shirt?" The question was politely positioned from a child of primary school age, but it took Joe Cracknell by surprise. He had just popped his head out of the away dressing room - housed as it is on T20 nights, underneath the media centre – to exchange pleasantries with friends and family.
Cracknell paused for a second, asking aloud rhetorically how many games Middlesex had left. Upon landing on the answer, off he scuttled, emerging a few minutes later clutching a pink jersey. "I'm in a good mood," he exclaimed with a huge grin while passing it across the fence. "it might be a bit sweaty though, sorry!"
Off the young lad scuttled, turning halfway up the stairs when he remembered something: "Thanks Joe." Pure delight. Despite what you might hear, youngsters still idolise those who cross the white line for their counties.
And even without his spoils, there was still entertainment aplenty for the boy and the rest of the capacity crowd.
For this was the night where Chelmsford – usually so lively come weekend eve – was silenced and conquered. It was a night Middlesex chased down their 226-run victory target with a both couple of wickets in hand and balls to spare. It was the kind of victory Stephen Eskinazi believed this young group needed to cement their learning.
Middlesex shared the wickets across their attack (James Chance/Getty Images)
This was a formidable away trip. Essex are formidable at their fortress, and they were at full strength too, Adam Rossington returning to add extra zest up top. And yes, Middlesex allowed them to reach 225. And yes, it was the fifth time in succession Middlesex have conceded north of 200. But it is difficult to do much when Paul Walter is flicking spot-on yorkers to the square leg boundary for four, or Daniel Sams is ducking into short balls (more than once) yet still smashing his way to an unbeaten 69 from 34.
But there was a successful return for Ethan Bamber, picked in this format for the first time in two years. Figures of 1 for 36 amidst the carnage was a decent return. And Tom Helm's four overs for just 25 were the stuff of a senior seamer.
Middlesex's batting has been their strength. They backed themselves to chase anything, even if, at times, it is a top-heavy order. When Eskinazi fell early, heads might have dropped. They might have dipped further still when Max Holden reverse-swept a ball skyward on just 15. Their two top scorers, most consistent performers, out of the equation.
But Ryan Higgins tonked his way to 61 from just 24 balls. It was exactly the kind of contribution he was re-signed for, playing what proved a match-winning hand. John Simpson too made a momentum-changing 26.
Despite Matt Critchley's heroics, Essex need inspiration and luck to reach the last eight (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Jack Davies fell for an important, spritely innings of 22, but 173 for 4 had become 175 for 6. And so, it was left to Josh de Caires (12), Martin Andersson (24*) and Helm (15*) to take Middlesex to victory.
Fifty-one off 29 balls they struck between them, Andersson's straight six off Paul Walter – an odd choice for the final over in hindsight – drew the scores level. The single that followed brought elation. Andersson had a tricky night with the ball but that will all be forgotten now. Matt Critchley had an awesome night with the ball, claiming a maiden 5fer in T20, but that will all be forgotten now.
It has been a chastening campaign for Middlesex. Their 11 defeats - some of them narrow, but defeats, nonetheless – might have broken other dressing rooms; there is only so much one can continue to learn from getting beat time and again. So yes, this was a great night. It will never be six weeks remembered fondly but there are positives to be drawn.
Conversely, this loss hurts Essex. A run of games without victory has left them on the precipice of failing to make the quarterfinals. Consistency of the wrong kind has blighted them, and they head to Surrey on Sunday (July 2) knowing that even two points might not be enough. But then again, in this game, things change so rapidly.
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