Sussex 523 & 181-9
Middlesex 485

Match Drawn

Sussex started the day 38 ahead, but any hopes of setting their hosts a chase of their own choosing were dashed by a morning of wickets. After Sussex slumped to 96-7, the Londoners were in sight of a chasable total if they snapped up the last three wickets quickly.

Enter Greek internatioanl Ari Karvelas making his debut. The 28-year-old batted superbly, striking the ball freely while another debutant 17-year-old Archie Lenham defended his stumps tigerishly. Son of Neil Lenham, the dimuntive and wiry spinner kept out 81 balls before Toby Roland-Jones finally bowled him.

The 107 minutes he left and blocked put the game beyond Middleses especially as Karvelas continued to extend the lead with his superb 57 off 97 balls. Steve Finn kep out another 68 balls. By the time Karvelas went and nine woickets were down, the Middx target was well out of reach in the overs left.

Tom Helm was comfortably the best of the bowlers again taking 4-37 off 18 overs. At present, he seems to be the onlyMiddlesex seamer hitting peak form. Umesh Yadav’s 1-112 in the game posts further questions about the value of the signing. Is it really worth either the loss of Ethan Bamber or foregoing the inclusio of Thilan Walallawita, arguably more of a specialist spinner than Luke Hollman.

Karvelas did not just bat superbly, he took 2-72 in a Middlesex score of 485 and after Brad Currie, was the most regularly dangerous Sussex bowler.

The good news for the home side was the 64 made by their own debutant Pieter Malan on Day 3, especially as replays shwed he made no contact when being given out caught behind off Karvelas bowling.

Both sides took 14 points and with other results either going or about to go favourably, Middlesex emerge from the week with their promotion hopes unscathed.

Middlesex Cricket

Sussex Cricket

Annie Chave – Cricket Columnist

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