Eskinazi out to change perceptions of Middlesex

Middlesex captain Stevie Eskinazi says his side have a point to prove this summer as they look to change people’s opinions about them.

The Seaxes have struggled in Division Two since they were relegated in 2017, the year after being crowed County Champions. Last season they finished eighth after a string of disappointing batting performances and failed to mount a sustained promotion challenge.

In this summer’s one-off regionalised four-day Bob Willis Trophy competition, Middlesex find themselves in a group with four Division One sides including recent champions Essex and Surrey.

Eskinazi says he is not daunted by the prospect: “We don't see ourselves as the Division Two side, we know that our best cricket was good enough to mix it with the best.

“We have incredible belief in the dressing room, especially this year. We believe we have a lot to prove.”

Many of the squad were involved in Middlesex’s 2016 successful Championship campaign, so Eskinazi believes he has the players to be successful.

“We're chomping at the bit to start changing people's opinion on our four-day cricket and while we can’t get promoted this year, there's an incredible amount that we can gain from playing really well in the next two months. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a very different Middlesex in the next two months than you’ve seen in the last two years.”

Eskinazi was appointed four-day skipper for this summer after Australian Peter Handscomb had to defer his contract due to the pandemic.

He is very aware that Middlesex need to improve their batting significantly but saw encouraging signs in pre-season fixtures. His focus is ensuring the top order post scores of 350 regularly to establish winning positions and says his own performance will follow from there.

Strong showings at grounds like Chelmsford and the Oval would send Middlesex into the winter with added belief and momentum ahead of the resumption of the County Championship next summer.

“So, we play well, there's no doubt we're going to take that confidence into the winter and come back next year with a big point to prove. But one thing we talk about a lot is taking games one day at a time and not looking too far ahead, so we're preparing as best we can.”

Eskinazi, 26, who has been at Middlesex for seven years, said he was humbled to take on the captaincy at such a difficult time.

“To captain a club like Middlesex is a huge honour. The club has been like family to me, I owe everything I have in the game to the club, so to help the side out in that way, it's extremely humbling.

Eskinazi said he was very lucky to have the experience of players with international experience around him like vice-captain Toby Roland-Jones, Eoin Morgan, Tim Murtagh and Sam Robson.

“These guys have played a lot of first-class cricket and a lot more than myself so it would be naive of me not to be asking these guys questions at every possible point.

“I’ll still be looking to make my mark on the way the side plays, but to have guys of that experience in my dressing room, you don't need a title next to your name to be a leader.

“So, we'll be trying to open that up as much as possible and understand that we back each other. With the experience we have and a mix of some exciting young players, it'll be a pleasure to captain those guys, great bunch of boys and some very good cricketers.”

Head Coach Stuart Law sees Eskinazi as the perfect man to lead the side: “Steve was the obvious choice for me as the captain of our squad in Pete Handscomb’s absence. Last year when Steve stood in for us, the team played really well and with a smile on their face and had immediate success. Good signs for sure and I look forward to working with him again this season.”