We can cope without Morgan, says Voges

Australian star Adam Voges believes Middlesex have the match-winners to cope with the loss of Eoin Morgan as they launch their t20 campaign.

Morgan is expected to be out for several weeks after suffering a broken finger in England’s Champions Trophy semi-final win over South Africa earlier this month.

He will miss a large chunk of Middlesex’s t20 group stage matches, starting on Friday evening against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury before Sussex Sharks visit Lord’s on Sunday.

Morgan’s injury comes as a blow to the Panthers, who haven’t made it out of the group stage of the competition since winning the event in 2008.

As well as Kent and Sussex, the South group includes defending champions Hampshire and local rivals Surrey and Essex.

But Voges, signed for the t20 campaign alongside New Zealand bowler Kyle Mills, remains optimistic about Middlesex’s chances.

He told West London Sport: “It’s a tough group that Middlesex are in – on paper it’s the toughest of the three.

“But I look at our squad and it’s very strong. We look like we might lose Eoin for a lot of the campaign but we’ve got some potential match-winners in the batting line-up.

“Also, Kyle is a very experienced bowler – it’s great to have someone of his calibre come in and hopefully he can provide some early wickets in an innings. He bowled extremely well in the Champions Trophy.”

Middlesex were treated to a few days in Jersey ahead of the tournament, comfortably winning a warm-up match against the Channel Islanders.

And Voges believes taking time out from the busy schedule could pay off in the early matches.

“T20 is all about grabbing a bit of momentum at the start of the campaign and trying to keep hold of it,” he said.

“To get these three or four days preparation is almost unheard of.

“I think it shows [director of cricket] Gus Fraser and [coach] Richard Scott are keen for us to do well in t20.”

Voges was originally signed purely for the t20 campaign but will now also play four-day cricket for Middlesex, with skipper Chris Rogers joining up with Australia’s Ashes squad.

And the Panthers’ new recruit is warning England not to crow following the Aussies’ poor performance at the Champions Trophy and subsequent sacking of coach Mickey Arthur.

He said: “The one bonus to come out of it all is [new coach] Darren Lehmann.

“He turned an okay Queensland team back home into a very good title-winning side and he will do a very good job.

“England will still be the favourites but I think it will be closer than some people think.”

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