A Blow Against Ageism:

Shaun Udal retired in 2007 after spending his entire career with Hampshire. A year later the verteran spinner was lured out of retirement to play minor counties' cricket for Berkshire, but Middlesex stepped in to take Udal to Lord's on a match by match contract; he struck a blow for ageing sportsmen and women all over the world as the then 39-year-old signed a contract to play for the Middlesex Panthers and played an important part in helping them to clinch the Twenty20 trophy.

They qualified for lucrative matches in India and the West Indies, but luck and fortune deserted them. The Indian Cricket League was a rebel organisation that lacked the sanction of the International Cricket Council and governing bodies throughout the world. The Indian one in particular was especially hard-line in its efforts to destroy the rebel franchise.

Middlesex was caught in the cross-fire as other English teams that were due to take part had ICL players. The Indians played hard and cancelled the series. Middlesex played in the Stanford Series in the Caribbean, but lost.

Skipper:

Udal proved his worth and then some. It is the benefit year of England captain Andrew Strauss, but whenever he plays for Middlesex he plays under the new club captain, Shaun Udal. Now in his forties Udal was appointed captain, but form deserted the Panthers. Their defence of the Twenty20 trophy was abysmal to put it mildly.

They went from heroes to zero literally with a truly horrible defence of their title. They have no chance of qualifying for the knockout phase as they lost all seven of their group matches prior to the visit of the Essex Eagles this evening. Udal has undoubtedly achieved a lot in his short spell at Middlesex, but his captaincy and motivation skills will be tested as while Essex still have a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stage, Middlesex have nothing, but pride to play for.