Helm: Middlesex finally playing better for longer

The Seaxes are in one of their best runs of form in many a year having won 11 of their last 15 games in all competitions.

The run began in dead rubbers in the Vitality Blast but the momentum from those wins propelled them into the One-Day Cup where seven victories in eight has booked their first List-A final for 36 years against Leicestershire on September 20.

There was a blip against Kent on their return to red-ball cricket, but more good signs in the rain-ruined encounter with Derbyshire last week have been followed up in this week’s clash with Lancashire where they finished day two 212 runs ahead in their second innings with eight wickets still in hand.

“There’s good vibes in the team and I think it comes from winning,” said Helm. The format is almost irrelevant. We won a lot of games in that one-day comp and there is a big one still to win.

“You can’t help but take positivity and some energy from winning games, be it 50-over cricket, T20 cricket, whatever it is, getting over the line and winning games does give you a boost, so there is definitely a bit of carryover from that.

“We have always been a team that has done a lot of really good things and then we shoot ourselves in the foot at times with a bad hour and sometimes that hour can be so bad it loses us the game.

“Something we have spoken about for a long time is just trying to be better for longer and at the moment we are having periods where we’re doing that.”

Thursday’s action against Lancashire was a microcosm of all the things Helm mentions above.

There was a horrible first hour during which Middlesex slumped from 139-3 to 177-7, a situation which all too often in recent times has seen them buckle under the pressure.

Helped by Helm’s swashbuckling 22 not out including a huge straight six over the sightscreen, the hosts rallied to 247 all out, albeit, not for the first time in recent seasons, they missed out on a batting point. Helm’s contribution continued a decent run of form willow in hand for Helm, including 26 and 33 against Kent in the Championship and of course his 40 in the momentum changing stand he shared with Luke Hollman in the epic Metro Bank One-Day Cup semi-final triumph over Durham.

The bowling attack was then relentless against a Lancashire batting line-up lacking in runs and confidence, Helm leading the charge with 4-40 as the Red Rose county wilted to the tune of 151 all out, a lead of 96 then built on by Max Holden's rapid 50.

Helm certainly appears to have a pep in his step and says playing regularly is helping and the runs aren’t doing him any harm either.

“I wouldn’t say I feel any more or less confident than I would usually be,” he continues.

“I suppose I’ve managed to score a few runs with the bat towards the end in the last few weeks which has helped and I’ve just played more cricket consistently.

“I didn’t play loads at the start of the year which frustrated me. I’ve had a bit more of a run now and that is probably what it is.

“Listen, I don’t kid myself, I’m certainly not an all-rounder, but if you can get a few runs down the end that certainly helps the team and it is better walking off with 20 to your name than two.”

It seems Helm is someone who likes spread his good vibes, assuming the role of chief cheerleader.

You’ll often be able to pick up his distinctive tones calling ‘One more here lads,’ and clapping his hands together at slip.

He says that is naturally who he is and it is just as well as he maintains many of his teammates are quiet to the point of silence.

“It’s something I’ve always done to be honest,” he adds. It might seem I do it a bit more now because most of our blokes are on mute and don’t tend to open their mouth.

“It’s certainly not a job anyone is given. It’s about trying to create a bit of energy and do the right things out there.”