Sam's The Man To Lead Middlesex But Begins Reign With A Warning

Sam's The Man To Lead Middlesex But Begins Reign With A Warning

- Josh Richards

RELUCTANT vice-captain Sam Robson admits he has been swept up in the excitement of the new County Championship season as he prepares to lead out Middlesex against Northamptonshire today.

Opener Robson has played first-class cricket for Middlesex for a decade but is quite forthright about never having previously coveted a leadership role.

This winter Dawid Malan has replaced James Franklin as captain but, due to his England commitments, director of cricket Angus Fraser felt a dependable deputy was required and Robson has been given the nod for the red-ball format.

After Malan’s England exploits in Australia and New Zealand, Robson will lead his county for the first time this weekend in the Division Two curtain-raiser and, rather uncharacteristically, is relishing the prospect.

“It will be a great honour,” said the 28-year-old.

“It’s a big career achievement. I’ve played here for a while and I love the club and I love playing at Lord’s. That was a massive pull for me when I came here at the start of my career and it’s kept being a massive pull.

“Walking out and tossing the coin at Lord’s will be fantastic and it’s something I’m looking forward to