Middlesex

Middlesex have failed to make any real impact in domestic cricket this season. This inability to push on can really been attributed to the absence and inconstancy of senior players. Andrew Strauss, Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn have all been away for much of the summer on international duty. Former England star Owais Shah has failed to provide the volume of runs expected of such a talented individual in the second division; aging off spinner Shaun Udal has had a troubled season which saw him resign the captaincy; former Surrey opener Scott Newman did not really make an impact until the latter half of the season and former West Indian quick Pedro Collins was restricted to only ten first class appearances. Under new skipper Neil Dexter the side will hope to develop in this area.

However there are is by no means a hopeless situation facing the Lord's side. Young players have really grasped the opportunity to show their ability. Wicketkeeper John Simpson (22) has kept well throughout the summer, Dawid Malan (23) continued his work with the bat and young bowlers Toby Rowland-Jones (22) and Finn (21) have made great moves forward. With the arrival of the prodigious Chris Rogers (Derbyshire) and Corey Collymore (Sussex) a real base has been set down.

If this excellent array of talent is supported by the established members of the side next season the North London side have every chance of becoming highly competitive in all forms of the game.

Top of the Order - Dawid Malan

Malan first rose to prominence with some sterling Twenty20 performances for Middlesex during 2008, not least an impressive 103 off 51 balls against Lancashire. But he has shown this season that he is not simply a 'hit and hope' merchant, but a cultured middle order batsman. The only player in the side to surpass one thousand first class runs (1001 at 38.5) Malan has done well in a season dominated by the bowlers. At 23 he has both the time and ability to become the mainstay of the Middlex batting order and has successfully challenged the 'old pros'.

Best Bowling - Tim Murtagh

The ever reliable Tim Murtagh has been the only established player to really hold his own. Picking up 38 wickets at a slightly disappointing 38.97 Murtagh and his right arm swing have really kept the side in contention. With 60 victims in 2009 he will look to improve on the tally for next season, but in a year when none of his team mates have done all that well the value of such a seasoned county cricketer has really been underlined.

Rising Star - Toby Rowland-Jones

A driving force in a Leeds/Bradford UCCE attack Rowland-Jones made his Middlesex debut against Oxford University in May. He picked up only two second innings wickets but has not looked back since. His ability to restrict the free flow of the bat is highlighted by the miserly average of 19.11 for his 36 championship wickets and he looks a real star for the future. With former New Zealand quick Iain O'Brien likely to be leaving Lord's and an England central contract for Steven Finn, Rowland-Jones will have every opportunity to really make his mark on the Middlesex attack next summer and continue his excellent start.

Star Man - Dawid Malan

The reliability Malan in a struggling side has been invaluable. He will be disappointed with a dip in the limited overs form with which he made his break through into top flight cricket, however he a has a great base to build on. The departure of Shah brings both greater responsibility and opportunity to the South African educated batsman.