Middlesex set to defy odds

Middlesex are taken to make a mockery of their outsider status and land odds of 15-4 with Paddy Power by winning the Twenty20 Cup on Finals day at the Rose Bowl this Saturday.

The Crusaders need to turn round last weekend’s NatWest Pro40 form when they play Durham Dynamos in the second semi-final at 3pm but are worth the chance to do so having shown themselves to be adept in the shortest form of the game, employing new strategies to improve on earlier attempts in this sphere.

The Londoners were indebted to Dawid Malan after the 20-year-old’s quarter-final hundred against Lancashire at The Oval put them within two wins of their first silverware in 15 years and he could again reward support, at 9-2 with Paddy Power, to top-score for Middlesex in their semi-final against Durham.

A seam attack comprising such as Dirk Nannes and Tim Murtagh will, meanwhile, have the task of working through the Durham order. Paddy Power offer match odds of 6-5 Middlesex, with Durham at 8-13.

Essex Eagles face holders Kent Spitfires in the opening semi-final at 11.30am. Paddy Power make Kent 4-6 match favourites, with Essex at 11-10.

Paddy Power bet: Winner: 2-1 Durham, 11-5 Kent, 3-1 Essex, 15-4 Middlesex.
Name the finalists: 7-4 Kent-Durham, 12-5 Essex-Durham, 3-1 Kent-Middlesex, 4-1 Essex-Middlesex.