Baffling: 

After a poor run of form, Michael Thornley had an opportunity to shine. Promotion-chasing Sussex resumed against bottom of the table Middlesex on the final day at Uxbridge on 109 for 5 – a lead of 211. Sussex needed runs, but wickets were at premium also. Luke Hatchett was caught by wicket-keeper John Simpson to give England’s joint tallest ever fast-bowler Steven Finn his third wicket of the innings. At 121 for 6, Sussex needed to regroup, but fast.

The fightback was once again led by Luke Wright. There can’t be many genuine all-rounders that come in at number 8, even allowing for a night-watchman, but that is what has happened to Wright. “I’ve had five-fors,” Wright told us after making a first innings century. A century and half-century in this match spoke for itself.

Sussex claimed that they wanted to win this match rather than settle for a draw, but the morning session yielded less than three and a half runs per over – a poor rate at Uxbridge. Thornley has struggled for form – making just two scores of note, 64 against Gloucestershire and 51 against Northants, all season. He came into this match he had seven single-figure scores in nineteen innings. Thornley took three hours to post his second best total of the season, 53. It required 142 balls and contained only two boundaries – again a poor return at this ground.

He preserved his wicket, but his scoring-rate was pedestrian at best and would cost Sussex dear – giving the lie to their stated intent to play for a win.. He had 27 to his name when joined by first innings centurion Wright. He was beaten to fifty by Wright on his way to the top score of 62. Wright took 65 balls to reach his half-century with nine fours, whereas Thornley more than twice as many.

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.