Poor performances by team, financial difficulties and uncertain future at Lord’s mean club face an existential threat

There have been worse seasons in the 160-year history of Middlesex but Martin Williamson, a member for almost 50 years, cannot recall any. “Speaking to other members the mood is one of apathy and resignation,” he says. “It’s just really sad.”

Richard Sykes, the Middlesex chairman, made little attempt to sugarcoat matters in a summary of their accounts at the end of last year, writing that “2023 has been one of the toughest years in the club’s history”.