YOU'D think this time of 'credit crunch' would be the ideal moment to remember the old proverb: Never bite the hand that feeds you.

However, Middlesex trialist David Burton is ready to rip it off given half a chance.

Stockwell resident Burton works part-time as a cricket coach at the Brit Oval's indoor school, unearthing future cricketing talent.

But Burton would jump at the chance to knock over Mark Ramprakash and the Surrey class of 09 for the Panthers at Lord's next week.

He said: "It would ironic to have a south London boy turning up against Surrey, but I'd treasure every wicket I could get.

"And it would be fantastic to play at Lord's. Whenever the Test matches have been shown on the telly, I always feel it's one of those grounds you want to have played on."

Adding further fuel to the fire in Burton's belly is the fact he was rejected by the Brown Caps at 15 - not considered good enough apparently to become an U16 in the Oval Academy.

Rejection has been a recurring theme for the 23-year-old. This is his second time around at Middlesex - the first having ended after just one first-class appearance against the South African tourists at Uxbridge last year.

And it was a similar story at Gloucestershire in 2006 when figures of 0-129 in his first game meant no second chance.

Burton is refreshingly honest about those tough times: "I probably just

wasn't good enough then," he admitted.However, he didn't give up on his dreams of a professional contract, spending any spare minutes he wasn't coaching bowling ball after ball alone in the indoor cricket nets.

That work bore fruit last week when he took 5-68 on his County Championship debut for Shaun Udal's men against of all teams

Gloucestershire - the only plus of an otherwise heavy defeat.

He added: "It wasn't something I expected, but it was extra sweet for all that. I thought I might get thrown the ball on that second morning as a desperation option, and I was determined if I got it I wasn't going to have to give it back."

In other action on the field Middlesex's Twenty20 record now stands at 0-7 after defeats on the road to Essex and Hampshire.

Monday's game with the Eagles saw Dawid Malan (31) hint at a return to form, but the Panthers were bowled out for 148, Essex winning by eight wickets.

The following night at the Rose Bowl, Middlesex reached 100-1 off 11 overs chasing 184, but fell away to finish on 155-5.