After Choosing to field first Scotland were nearly given a dream start as Paul Weekes was dropped 2nd ball, a drop which proved to be costly as the opener went on to make a crucial 80 at more than a run a ball. Meanwhile, Andrew Strauss was the first to depart as he was caught off James Brinkley for 8. Chad Keegan's promotion to 3 looked to have paid off as the hard hitting bowler managed to smash a quick 22 before he departed with the score on 46. Then came the crucial stand as Weekes combined with Owais Shah to add 98 for the 3rd wicket, tearing the Scotland attack apart and giving Middlesex every chance of attaining a total of around 300. When both fell within quick succession, it was left to Ed Joyce and David Nash to consolidate the strong start and although the pair added a half century stand, the run rate did fall from about 8 to 6 an over and the 'sex lost their momentum. However, we did manage to reach 255-9 off our 45 overs with Joyce remaining unbeaten on 59.

Scotland's innings never got going and was mostly boring to watch, especially for our very own David Slater who was constantly finding some very obscure ways to cure boredom. Moving back to the cricket, Scotland's top 5 all made single figures, including key (sorry Judas) man Rahul Dravid who fell for 3 to a late lbw decision off Ashley Noffke. The other highlight was a superb direct hit to dismiss other overseas player John Kent. From 54-6 and 88-8, Scotland did recover and managed to post 143 as number 10 Paul Hoffman hit an entertaining 33 off just 14 balls including five fours and a six. He was particularly harsh on Joe Dawes who did not have a happy return for Middlesex as he, together with Ashley Noffke was responsible for most of Middlesex's 12 wides. The stars of the show were Chad Keegan, who took a seasons best 5-48 and Simon Cook who returned to form with 2-23 off his 9 overs.

SCORES:

MIDDLESEX INNINGS: (SCOTLAND WON THE TOSS)

Weekes st Smith b Haq 80
Strauss c Dravid b Brinkley 8
Keegan c and b Hoffman 22
Shah c Smith b Haq 19
Joyce not out 59
Nash c Hoffman b Watson 17
Cook st Smith b Haq 0
Weston b Watson 14
Hutton c Lockhart b Hoffman 5
Noffke run out 4
Dawes not out 1

Extras 26

Total (for 9 wickets, 45 overs) 255


SCOTLAND INNINGS:

Lockhart c Shah b Cook 6
Watson c Nash b Keegan 3
Williamson b Keegan 7
Dravid lbw b Noffke 6
Kent run out 3
Smith c Weekes b Cook 17
Wright c and b Keegan 20
Stanger c Weekes b Keegan 9
Brinkley c Joyce b Keegan 7
Hoffman c Dawes b Weekes 33
Haq not out 16

Extras 16

Total (all out, 30.1 overs) 143


RESULT: MIDDLESEX WIN BY 112 RUNS

POINTS: MIDDLESEX 4, SCOTLAND 0

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