Bailey up for early test

11:00am Friday 16th May 2008

Teddington may have started the season in style with a win over Eastcote on Saturday, but skipper Toby Bailey believes it is the next three games that count.

The 31-year-old looked on as four wickets and 63 runs from Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan helped secure a three-wicket victory that put his side top of the Middlesex County Premier League.

Teddington face a trip to perennial league favourites Ealing, who piled on 316-6 in 60 overs in a winning draw against Brondesbury, this week, before taking on Finchley at home and Brondesbury away.

And Bailey believes it is a period that will go a long way to deciding if his side have a championship challenge in them this season.

"Saturday was a good, solid performance and a big confidence boost, but it was a game we had targeted to win," he said.

"We have got three very hard games to come.

"It is probably the most difficult part of our season.

"If we can get a good amount of points from those games, it will give us a good indication of how far we can go this year.

"Ealing are in form and we will have to be right on our game to beat them."

Spinner Malan took 4-40 Eastcote were reduced to 252-9 from 68 overs, then hit a half-century at the top of the order that, along with a brilliant 88 from Nishel Patel, saw the hosts home.

Malan faces a tough challenge to force his way in to the first XI for his county and Bailey - a former pro himself with Northamptonshsire - fears he may have to move to further his professional career.

"He has been bowling for Middlesex twos and he bowled superbly for us at the weekend," he added.

"I think we will have him for most of the season because, although he is scoring runs, there is a strong batting line-up ahead of him at Lord's.

"I think they will give others a go before him."

Malan, who enjoyed a prolific season with the bat last year, has warned batsmen in Middlesex and across the country that he intends to take more wickets as the season goes on.

"I have worked hard on my leg-spin in South Africa over the winter and I would like to bowl as often as I can if I get the chance," he added.

"The wickets are only going to get better to bowl on.

"The Middlesex first XI is a tough one to get in to, but runs and wickets will do the talking for me."