Twickenham skipper Carlos Nunes is hoping his bowlers can execute their plans perfectly again on Saturday to secure back-to-back Middlesex County League Division One victories for the first time since July 2010.
Paceman Fawad Mullahzadah claimed 6-41 as the Ts secured a dramatic one run triumph in a low scoring match at defending champions Winchmore Hill last weekend.
Twickenham host third-placed Hampstead – who have former Middlesex wicketkeeper/batsman Ben Scott in their ranks this season – tomorrow.
And Nunes has challenged his frontline bowlers to deliver a repeat performance on the Green on what is expected to be another tricky batting track.
“Hampstead are a massive batting side and have three county players with first class experience in their line-up, so we are going to have our work cut out,” he said.
Happy days: Twickenham’s Parminda Singh celebrates the last-gasp win Picture: Winchmore Hill CC/Bob Ludlam
“But our bowlers had plans that they bowled to at the weekend and they showed what they are capable of. The win is a huge confidence boost for us.
“We have plans for Hampstead. We will practise them in the week and hopefully we will execute again.”
Nunes’ men collapsed to 103 all out at Winchmore Hill – having been 57-0 – before Mullahzadah and brother Rashid (2-32) blew away the hosts, with overseas star Parminda Singh (2-25) claiming the final scalp in a tense finish.
And while the bowlers are in fine form, Nunes insisted it was a matter of time before his batsmen hit their stride too.
“We were desperate to win on Saturday, having been in a good position earlier in the game and particularly after losing to Richmond the previous week,” he added.
“It was not an easy track to bat on, as the scores show, but we did well to get past 100. We are only three games into the season and our top order are only a score away from hitting it big.”
Elsewhere, James Wade carried his bat for 136 as Teddington beat Hornsey by 51 runs to go second in the Division One table.
Fellow opener James Keightley hit 66 in setting a target of 251-6 off 61 overs. He then took three wickets, as did Duncan Wood, in skittling Hornsey for 200.
Jack Porter took 5-101 as Richmond claimed a winning draw at home to Stanmore – Jimmy Mugnaioni took 4-45 – as the visitors carded 229. Andrew Lowe (85) and James Wood (51) were the main stays as Richmond held on for 55 overs to finish on 194-8.
They host Winchmore Hill this weekend, while Teddington go to Finchley.
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