Sussex 523
Middlesex 485

Middlesex finished Day 3 just 38 runs behind Sussex after a memorable day at Lords. The balance of power may even set this game up for an exciting but unlikely finish tomorrow.

The day will long be remembered by many of the key actors, none more so that Sussex debutant Brad Currie who had a dream start.

Resuming on 103-0, the home side’s day started off disastrously.

Currie produced an electric spell from the Nursery End to take four Middlesex wickets in the first hour of the day. The home side dipped from that 103 and were left shellshocked just 34 runs later at 137-4, after the Poole-born Scotland paceman sent back openers Mark Stoneman (47) and Sam Robson  (62) who had built that 100 partnership; followed by Steve Eskinazi (11) and Max Holden (2).

Holding figures of 0-16 overnight, the Scot bowled eight overs taking 4-18 in a blistering and unplayable morning spell. At the other end of the day as the close loomed and the skies gloomed, he trapped Toby-Roland Jones LBW for 85 and bowled Umesh Yadav to complete a 6-for on his debut, finishing with 27-7-6-93.

His elder brother Scott is on Hampshire’s books and has played for England U-19s, but Brad later confirmed he wanted to play for Scotland.

Brad Currie was delighted when he spoke to journalists after his 6-93 at Lords

His spectacular opening spell put Middlesex under intense pressure but they fought back.

Debutant Pieter Malan and the side’s most consistent batter John Simpson dug in to add 130 for the 5th wicket. Just as the game looked on the cusp of petering out into a tame draw, Greece international Ari Karvelas struck and had Malan caught behind for 64.

It was a dubious call and replays showed there was no contact. Malan tried to hide his frustration but he had no choice but to leave and the Greek’s first Lords wicket was in the books.

Another of Middlesex’s few batting successes in recent weeks, leg spinner Luke Hollman, joined Simpson and saw them through to tea. He went for 12 soon thereafter though and Sussex had sight of the tail.

However wicketkeeper Simpson is not top of Middlesex’s batting averages for no reason. He made a fantastic 105, his best of the season, to eke his side past the 374 needed to save the follow on. At that point, the entire character of the game changed and Middlesex went on the offensive.

After Simpson’s dismissal, the game could have drifted but Toby Roland-Jones had a 50 to complete. He struck two fine boundaries and closed in on his own season best of 64. Tom Helm chipped in with two 6s as runs came easily and the 400 was surpassed.

Roland-Jones clubbed a massive six to reach 68, and overtake his previosus season best, finally exiting on 85 to Currie.

There was just time for Yadav to add two more sixes and Karvelas to dismiss Roland-Jones to end the innings on 485.

Middlesex Cricket

Sussex Cricket

Annie Chave – Cricket Columnist

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