I want more trophies - Radford

Watch the full interview with Toby Radford on ECBtv

Coach Toby Radford is calling for his Middlesex players to end the season on a high as they set their sights on scaling greater heights this year and next.

Radford masterminded Middlesex’s Twenty20 Cup triumph this summer, securing the club’s first piece of silverware since 1993 and fulfilling one half of their pre-season ambitions.

The second part of Radford’s plan - promotion from the Second Division of the LV County Championship - is unlikely to be achieved this summer, with Middlesex 39 points adrift of second place heading into this week’s game against Gloucestershire.

But he is under no illusions as to the importance of building momentum ahead of the Stanford Super Series and inaugural Twenty20 Champions League later this year, and another trophy push next season.

“The aim at the start of the year was to get promoted in the championship and win a trophy,” Radford told ECBtv.

“We’ve done one of those jobs so far - promotion looks a tall order now - but I’d like to finish the season on a real high.

“If you’re talking confidence, I’ve always got deep belief. I know the players, the players know how I work and what we’re trying to do.

Dawid Malan is among a clutch of talented young players catching the eye at Middlesex

“We’re starting to build something and I think we’ll go places.”

Radford’s bullishness is based on the presence of a host of talented young cricketers in the Middlesex side, a feature highlighted during this season’s Twenty20 Cup success.

Dawid Malan thrust himself into the public consciousness with a 51-ball century against Lancashire in the quarter-finals, Eoin Morgan served further notice of his precocious talent with 279 runs in the competition, and seamer Steven Finn regularly showed a maturity beyond his 19 years under immense pressure.

Throw in Billy Godleman - widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in the English game - and Radford’s optimism seems well placed.

“Having started the Acadmey off, I’ve brought through many of these young players,” said Radford.

“The likes of Billy Godleman, Steven Finn, who are now coming into the side, are almost household names now.

“It’s nice to bring those guys through and I feel we’ve got real strength for the future.

“We go off to Antigua to play the Stanford All Stars, so that’s really exciting for the club, and we’ve got the Champions League.

“But, looking ahead to next season, I want more silverware. I’d like to defend the Twenty20 but above all get promotion in the championship if we haven’t done that this year.

“We’re very well set up for a one-day side at the moment, but to do that I think we need to bring in one or two players to make us stronger and bolster our ambitions.”