Recovery:

After the best efforts of the weather to destroy any chance of a result, both sides put on an entertaining day’s cricket that leaves all three results possible tomorrow. Resuming at the overnight total of 127 for 2, Sussex soon made inroads into a talented Middlesex batting order.

John Simpson had played well in a rain-ravaged day’s play yesterday, accumulating 58 runs. He failed to add to his overnight score, superbly caught by Ollie Rayner at second slip, diving in front of first slip. Former West Indies fast bowler, turned Kolpaker, Corey Collymore took the wicket. At 133 for 3, Middlesex needed a partnership of note.

Eoin Morgan entered the fray with a point to prove. Ravi Bopara had just pressed his England credentials with two centuries against Yorkshire, so Morgan needed runs. Monty Panesar also has a point to prove. He recently posted his maiden first class half-century, but his claims for an England recall rest on his bowling. He needed wickets and plenty of them.

Morgan won the early honours in their duel, clouting Panesar for six off his first ball. He then gave Rayner a taste of that medicine too. Dawid Malan continued his fine progress – probably their batsman of the season to date. The pair built the required partnership, involving a race to their respective half-centuries. Morgan won, taking 76 balls with five fours and two sixes to reach the mark. Malan followed in the same over from Rayner, but he needed 91 balls to reach his. He hit 6 fours.

Panesar broke the partnership, shortly after the century partnership, which also brought up Malan’s half-century, bowling him for 51, going for a big hit. It was worth 103. Morgan was out ten minutes before lunch, misjudging a quicker ball from Rayner, bowling him for 58, made from 82 balls. Captain Neil Dexter and Gareth Berg survived until lunch, which was taken at 250 for 5.

Dissent Part One:

They added forty with five boundaries apiece after lunch. With Dexter on 27 Panesar headed a loud appeal. His disgust when the umpire, former Leicestershire fast bowler David Millns, turned it down was clear. Dexter drove the final delivery of the over for four.

Panesar was clearly not impressed with the refusal, angrily snatching his jumper back from Millns. It was a valid shout, but the umpire has to be respected. Panesar must remember the MCC motto ‘Play Hard, Play Fair!’ includes respecting the umpire’s decision whether he agrees with it or not.

Wrapped Up:

Berg was dismissed for 26, having hit six boundaries, beaten by a fantastic delivery by Michael Thornley – 298 for 6. Luke Hatchett looks to be an important find. He took the new ball. Dexter was beaten by a very quick delivery, but recovered to bring up the three-hundred with his seventh boundary. Former Middlesex captain Shaun Udal hit two boundaries before he was caught behind by Prior to give Hatchett a long overdue wicket.

After poor fielding by Panesar, Rayner showed how it should be done with his second fine catch at second slip, to give Collymore his second wicket of the day – Dexter for 43. Middlesex’s captain failed to add to his seven boundaries. Collymore quickly picked up his third wicket of the day up-rooting the off-stump of Toby Roland-Jones for 15. Steven Finn stood between him and a five-for. Finn survived with an edge to third-man for three.

O’Brien decided to throw the bat, getting two boundaries, but Hatchett polished off the innings knocking over Finn’s middle stump for 3, leaving Collymore stranded on 4 wickets and O’Brien not out on 14. Middlesex were dismissed for 350. Collymore’s figures today were 11 overs, 2 maidens, 3 wickets for 44 runs to add to his 8 overs last night. Four of those were maidens and he had taken one wicket for 22 runs. Hatchett deserved better than 2 for 62 from his 16.1 overs.

Mixed Emotions:

At 22 for 0 O’Brien pulled up. It was a repetition of the injury that had kept him out for weeks – ligaments linking the hamstring to his buttocks. He bravely tried to carry on, but had no option, but to retire unable to bowl the next ball – the last of his third over. Roland-Jones completed it for him.

A delightful late-cut by Sussex captain Michael Yardy against Finn gave him his third boundary. After the tea-interval, taken at 37 for 0, Yardy played on to his stumps for 21. Roland-Jones got the breakthrough. Finn resumed with a wicket as well, inducing an edge from Chris Nash that was caught by wicket-keeper, John Simpson, for 14. It was 37 for 2 and Middlesex sensed an opportunity. Finn trapped Ed Joyce leg before wicket for 7 shortly afterwards.

Dissent Part Two:

Matthew Prior was not pleased with Millns’ decision that he edged Roland-Jones’ delivery to Simpson. He shook his head as he departed for 4, convinced that it had not touched his bat. Again dissent won’t help.

Zimbabwean Murray Goodwin was the last of the recognised specialist batsman with respect to Michael Thornley. He survived an appeal for a catch at second slip. Dexter took it comfortably and Middlesex were excited, but it came off Goodwin’s thigh-pad. He was on 19 at the time. There was no dissent from Middlesex players after the decision went against them.

Finn finished for the day with figures of 16 overs, 1 maiden, 2 wickets for 57 runs. In the 35th over of Sussex’s innings they lost their fifth wicket on 105. Goodwin fell for 35, lbw to Dexter. Sussex closed at 109 for 5, leaving tomorrow nicely poised for a result, despite the best efforts of the weather yesterday to ensure a draw.