Middlesex starting to assert T20 dominance

It was to hurt Lancashire more as their most experienced bowlers were missing in the form of Kate Cross, Alex Hartley and Sophie Ecclestone. With Emma Lamb also missing it was always going to be difficult for the current champions.
Naomi Dattani and Amara Carr shared in a first wicket partnership of 77 from the first nine overs. While Carr was looking to sweep and play ramp shots, Dattani stood upright and looked to place the ball all around the ground. With an understrength bowling attack, Lancashire struggled up front. The Middlesex openers went search of quick runs with the field up.
Millie Hodge playing in her first senior game for Lancashire took the important wicket of Carr with her very first ball. It was a good day for the youngster as she finished with figures of 4 for 12. It just reigned in Middlesex who at one point looked to be on for 150 plus. Among Hodge’s victims was Dattani who was dismissed for 40.
Georgie Holt pulled off a one-handed catch that even Hayleigh Brennan could only hold her hand up and say ‘fair play’. The fielder seeing the ball sail over her head stuck a hand out and it stuck. Middlesex continued to lose regular wickets. They managed to post 132 for 8, which as it proved was to be enough.
Evelyn Jones and Danielle Collins got Lancashire off to a steady start. Brennan bowled four wides and a no ball in the first over. She struggled to find a line to the left-handers. Boundaries started to be hard to come by When Collins was dismissed for 19 by Bhavika Gajipra. It was the spinners that kept it tight in the middle overs.
As the run rate crept up Middlesex were content for the Lancashire batters to rotate the strike. Ellie Threlkeld tried her best to keep things going, but when she was run out for 24 so did Lancashire’s chances.
Middlesex must now be one of the favourites to claim the title and two more wins next week it will be almost certain to be their year.