Shaun Udal says it will be a 'serious' game between England and the Stanford Superstars on Saturday.
Middlesex skipper still backing England to take home the Stanford cash
Middlesex skipper Shaun Udal still believes England will win the Stanford Super Series, but admits they will face a big test against the home side on Saturday.
Udal witnessed at first hand the big-hitting capabilities of the representative team on Thursday as the Stanford Superstars smashed their way to a 58- run victory over the English side.
Opener Andre Fletcher smashed an unbeaten 90 and Kieron Pollard's superb cameo included four sixes from his nine-ball knock of 27.
Former England cap Udal is still backing Kevin Pietersen's men to bring home the big money, but after tasting the power hitting of the hosts he admits it will be a tough match.
"I still think England will win. I am going to be patriotic," said Udal.
"But the Superstars played really well, they showed the immense hitting power they have got, particularly down the end there.
Unbelievable
"Fletcher played an unbelievable innings but Pollard's hitting at the end, my word, he hit some huge ones.
"I have never seen Tyron Henderson treated like that - he said that is the most he has gone for in an over in his career in Twenty20 cricket.
"He doesn't often get it wrong but he did and he travelled. There is a serious game of cricket on Saturday - they're a real threat."
After many criticisms of the condition of the pitch in Antigua, Udal believes it is getting better for the big game - and rarely has he seen such examples of big hitting as he did on Thursday.
"The only other occasion I have seen such hitting was Dawid Malan at the Oval against Lancashire when his sixes were going for 12s," Udal said.
"But these here were huge, absolutely huge, and the pitch looked good, so they're getting it right for the big one on Saturday.
"On that true a surface it's going to be a tight game."
