Two of Middlesex’s new signings are in a positive mood ahead of the upcoming T20 Blast season.
New Zealand international Kane Williamson and Ireland international Josh Little were both announced as Middlesex signings in February and have given positive assessments of their time in NW8 so far.
Williamson, New Zealand’s highest test run scorer, said that there were a few factors that influenced his decision to play for the North London side.
He said: “My wife’s English so we were keen to come over here and I played a bit of county cricket in the past and was looking forward to having that experience again.”
He added: “To come here and call Lord’s home for a little bit, it’s quite special.”
Left arm pace bowler Little also paid homage to Lord’s when it came to his motivation for signing.
He said: “It’s a legendary ground with so much history and previous Irish players who’ve played here, it felt pretty right.”
Many Irish internationals have donned the Middlesex jersey in the past including Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie and Tim Murtagh.
Middlesex have struggled in recent years in the T20 format, finishing in 8th or 9th in the South Group for the last 4 seasons.
Despite this, Williamson was upbeat when looking ahead to this campaign.
He said: “Whatever team that I play for I think part of being a teammate is trying to add value where you can and contribute as well as you can and get nice and familiar with the role within the team.
“Hopefully as a group we can grow and be a little bit better throughout the season and keep improving.”
Little has played franchise cricket all over the world but has never plied his trade in the T20 Blast.
He said: “I can’t wait. I think obviously it’s a different tournament to The Hundred but similar venues and The Hundred is probably one of my favourite tournaments just in terms of the venues, the standard, everything.
“I’m looking forward to playing my role and seeing what it has to offer.”
Williamson meanwhile has previous Blast experience playing for Gloucestershire and Yorkshire.
He described the impact playing domestically in England had on him.
He said: “The depth of cricket in England is right up there. It’s been a while since I played domestic cricket here but when you see the international team and the players coming through, you’re well aware of the strength of cricket in the country and the quality they have.
“It’s nice to be here and I’m looking forward to starting in the Blast and then obviously a few red ball games at the end of Summer as well.”
He added: “For me personally to come here, to the home of cricket, and to be playing here is quite special.”
Williamson will play at least 10 of Middlesex’s Blast group fixtures and at least five County Championship matches towards the end of Summer.
He will also captain the London Spirit in this season’s Hundred with Little also appearing for the Spirit come August.
Little is currently sidelined through a hamstring injury but hopes to be back for Middlesex’s third T20 against Kent on June 5th.
Middlesex begin their T20 Blast campaign on April 29th against Sussex at Lord’s.
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