Middlesex v Nottinghamshire - preview

Date released: 4 September 2008

Middlesex face Nottinghamshire in the NatWest Pro40 at Lord's on Sunday 7 September - with several players from England's 4-0 one-day series win over South Africa likely to take part.

Ones to watch

Middlesex

Promoted to Pro40 Division One last season, Middlesex have struggled to assert themselves at the higher level this term, currently second from bottom in the table.

Returning hero: Owais Shah The return of England batsman Owais Shah will be a welcome boost to the Crusaders' line-up.

Shah's unbeaten 43 in the one-day international at Lord's was the unsung foundation of England's fourth successive victory over the Proteas - as Andrew Flintoff, rightly, took the headlines.

Fellow England player, Andrew Strauss has been back with Middlesex for some time, after the completion of the Test series, and scored a useful 71 from 77 balls in Pro40 defeat to Hampshire.

Shaun Udal is the newly installed stand-in captain, filling in for the injured Ed Smith and the spinner will be keen to see his reign off to a winning start.

Nottinghamshire

The Outlaws also welcome back their England players.

Spin to win: Patel and Swann in England colours New spin-sensation Samit Patel, fresh from a five-for haul during the one-day international win at The Oval, is likely to be back in the side.

Also returning is another spinning all-rounder, Graeme Swann. The two England men will be a boost to the Nottinghamshire line-up.

Recent England Test cap call-up, Darren Pattinson will be keen to show what all the fuss is about too, on the big stage at Lord's.

Australia international Adam Voges has an impossibly high Pro40 average of 114.5 so far this season - the big-hitting Aussie will be one to watch out for.

Tickets

Tickets for this match will be available on the gates at Lord's, cash payment only please.