3 Reasons Why MID Lost to HAM in the South Group Match of Vitality Blast 2025 

At one point, Middlesex looked to have the heist of the season in the bag. Stephen Eskinazi simply could not get out, blasting glorious strokes as he raced to 94 off 48 balls, reminding everyone just how destructive he can be (and he only stopped playing shots when he got out). Middlesex at 151/1 in the 15th over looked destined to score over 200 runs with all the momentum in their favour. Then the story began to unfold in a much darker fashion, as wickets began to tumble in a sequence reminiscent of a poorly stacked up game of cards. Hampshire slowly crawled back, despite being slapped into submission, and stole this game by 2 balls. So what went wrong for Middlesex?

A Middle-Order Meltdown That Killed the Momentum

Let’s talk about the collapse that turned a dream into a drizzle. When Kane settled and Eskinazi joined the act, Middlesex looked less like a team chasing the game and more like they were holding the reins. However, they went from 151/1 to 187/8, which was awful. The middle order batted as though they had turned up to a laser-tag fight blindfolded. The scoreboard ticked like a broken watch as Geddes, Higgins, Cracknell, and Gohar scraped together a lonely five. 

What unfolded wasn’t batting; it was an illusion of it. To make matters worse, just when they needed someone to take on Eskinazi’s flashing blitz, they lost their last guy with still thirty balls to go and were left handing over to the tail. Not finishing like they did cost them big time. What should have been a 210+ total limped home to 187; at best, it was a par score.

Scott Currie’s Wrecking Ball and Fuller’s Finishing Fire

Scott Currie didn’t just beat Middlesex; he tore through them like a storm through dry leaves. The tall pacer bowled like he was devilishly tossing thunderbolts, taking four key wickets at just about 8 an over, with a commendable economy rate for a run-a-ball game (9.5). He had removed Eskinazi, Holden, Geddes, and Cracknell clinically, cutting the head off Middlesex’s momentum serpent just as it was about to strike. 

And onwards waltzed James Fuller, the batter. Hampshire were wobbling at 127/5, and it was Fuller’s clean hitting of 43 off 26 that reversed Hampshire’s fortunes. His calm destruction of Middlesex’s pace attack maintained the chase and denied the hosts whatever advantage they had in the psychological battle.

Bowling Chaos and Tactical Misfires in the Field

Naturally, a close T20 loss is incomplete without puzzling fielding and tactical errors. The combination of bowlers from Middlesex was all over the place. Zafar Gohar went wicketless and was pumped for 47 in four exotic overs, and Higgins bowled with what appeared to be butter on his fingers, leaking 45 runs in a mere 22 balls. Even the skipper, Leus du Plooy had a dip by bowling a single delivery and conceding a six. 

The only bowler applying pressure of the type that makes opposing batsmen sweat a little, Luke Hollman 2/21, was not given a greater role when Hampshire were wobbling. In addition to some poor fielding on the day and poor execution of death over plans, it has been a cocktail of regret for Middlesex.

Middlesex will regret squandering what looked to be a free hit. From Eskinazi stealing the show to a platform of 150+, they had Hampshire by the scruff. However, a disastrous mid-innings collapse, a Scott Currie whirlwind, and some poor fielding turned the game around. Hampshire left with the points, leaving Middlesex to dwell on how winning a blockbuster start ended up a bittersweet footnote.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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