Hollman late blitz proves decisive as Zafar leads Middlesex defence

Middlesex defended their total thanks to Hollman’s late hitting and a controlled bowling effort led by Zafar.

Hollman's late fireworks

Hollman provided the momentum at the death with a quick burst, pushing Middlesex to a competitive total. Zafar then spearheaded the bowling attack to keep the opposition in check and seal the win. The combination of late runs and tight bowling proved the difference as Middlesex held their nerve.

Spitfires skipper Billings won the toss, opting to field, as all-rounder Jaydn Denly came in from the team that suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Surrey. The 20-year-old replaced bowler Matt Milnes.

Also looking to end on a high after a home loss to Sussex Sharks, Bosch came in for Noah Cornwell for the visitors.

Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud made the first breakthrough. He trapped Josh de Caires in front. While he also set Max Holden's stumps back with the first delivery he faced, he did so off a no-ball.

Holden and Boyle start

Holden clubbed the final ball of Mahmud’s 2nd over for four and put on 45 with Matt Boyle. Boyle was then bowled by spinner Jake Lintott for 21. Holden also fell soon after, driving tamely back to Lintott. Du Plooy and Geddes attack. Away captain Leus du Plooy hit 4 off his first ball but was soon stumped paddling teenager Ekansh Singh to Billings.

Ben Geddes hit Middlesex’s first six, launching spinner Denly over leg-side, but lost partners at the other end.Cracknell’s brief cameo. Joe Cracknell smashed one down the ground for four, but was out next ball to debutant Denly, caught by Bell-Drummond.

Middlesex began with Pakistan overseas Zafar Gohar's spin, although his first over went for 10, including two Tawanda Muyeye fours.

But Muyeye was run-out in the fourth over by wicketkeeper Cracknell. With Bell-Drummond fearing he had chopped on, he was unmoved as the 25-year-old found himself stranded and Cracknell threw down the stumps. Bell-Drummond then hooked Tom Helm to the fine-leg boundary for Spitfires' first six.

As Helm bowled some three wides in the penultimate over, a Stewart six left Spitfires needing 21 off the last over.

But neither Stewart or Rogers could enough off Naavya Sharma to produce the required final-over heroics as Spitfires fell 15 runs short.