Middlesex plead poverty over matches in Essex – but close in on signing Henry Brookes

Middlesex are closing in on promising fast bowler Henry Brookes despite being in such a difficult financial position that they have scheduled two matches in Essex next season.

Middlesex have announced their schedule for the 2024 season, with two T20 matches at the county ground in Chelmsford – the home of their Essex rivals – when they cannot play at Lord’s.

They put the decision down to the club’s financial difficulties – they lost £952,000 in 2021 – which, along with long-term mismanagement, has seen the England and Wales Cricket Board demand oversight of the club’s finances and impose a spending plan.

Middlesex are tenants of Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s, where they play most of their home matches. Due to international cricket, they cannot play all their matches at Lord’s, so have always had a series of outgrounds – club grounds that are spruced up to host first-class cricket – when required, such as Radlett and Merchant Taylors School.

Set-up costs at an outground – temporary stands, marquees, food and beverages, plus the manpower to bring it all together – are significant, and Middlesex’s three non-Lord’s fixtures in next year’s Blast are all spaced widely apart, meaning they could not use the same facilities twice. So rather than incur that cost, they have opted to play at Chelmsford against Kent (May 31) and Gloucestershire (July 31). On July 6 they will play Hampshire at Radlett, but the facilities will be used again the day after by Sunrisers in the women’s regional competition.

It is understood the club believe that taking the two matches to Chelmsford – where they will pay a hosting fee – will save a six-figure sum.

Middlesex CEO Andrew Cornish described it as “an opportunity for us to make a significant financial uplift to the club, which is something that we simply cannot ignore.”

He added: “The cost of setting up the infrastructure of an outground venue is a significant liability the club has historically had to factor into our financial model every year – increasingly so in recent seasons with the enhancements we have made to the member experience at outground matches.

“As we continue to scrutinise every cost the club incurs, outground set-up costs stand out as an area which we could make a significant positive impact on.”

At the same time, however, Middlesex are close to securing their second significant player acquisition of the winter.

Brookes, 24, has long been considered one of the most promising fast bowlers on the circuit and after Warwickshire agreed to release him early from his contract, has indicated that Middlesex is his preferred destination. Despite their relegation, and significant interest from Division One sides, he is in the final stages of agreeing a long-term deal.

The addition of a young three-format, genuinely quick bowler, even on the back of a difficult season, represents quite a coup for Richard Johnson and his coaching team.

It is understood that signing Brookes would not see Middlesex breach any of the conditions imposed upon them by ECB.

Middlesex have already added Derbyshire’s Leus du Plooy to their ranks, although their books have been balanced by the retirement of Tim Murtagh (who is now a coach at the club) and the departure of another experienced, well-paid player, John Simpson, for Sussex.