Middlesex shade first day against Sussex

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Close, day one: Sussex 66-3 trail Middlesex 269 by 203 runs

Middlesex edged an intriguing first day at Hove after their bowlers made valuable contributions with both bat and ball.

The tail was first required to stage a mini-recovery as the visitors slipped to 174-7, Adam Voges top scoring with 38.

Toby Roland-Jones (34) and Steven Finn (21 not out) helped add 95 for the final three wickets as Middlesex were bowled out for 269.

James Harris, Finn and Roland-Jones then took a scalp each as Sussex closed on 66-3, 203 runs behind.

Middlesex struggled early on after being put into bat, losing Sam Robson (8) and Nick Gubbins (0) early on.

Voges upped the tempo, scoring his 38 from 49 balls and putting on 59 with Nick Compton (30).

After James Franklin fell for a duck, Neil Dexter shared in stands of 45 with Compton and 48 with John Simpson.

But after Dexter went, Middlesex were still only on 174-7, a total already swelled by a large amount of extras, which amounted to 62 by the end.

However, Roland-Jones hit 34 at more than a run a ball and Finn chipped in with his best Championship score since making an unbeaten 37 against Warwickshire this time last year.

In reply, Sussex started quickly with Chris Nash scoring 23 from 20 balls but in-form Harris bowled him.

There were more crucial breakthroughs as Matt Machan (13) edged Finn to former Sussex man Ollie Rayner at slip and Roland-Jones trapped Michael Yardy lbw.

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