Bowlers puts Middlesex on top at Hove

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Middlesex 44-0 trail Sussex 229 by 185 runs

Gareth Berg’s three wickets helped Middlesex enjoy a productive opening day in a potentially pivotal County Championship match at Hove.

The visitors spread the wickets around as they bowled Division One leaders Sussex out for 229, Isleworth-born paceman Gurjit Sandhu claiming two on his Championship debut while Tim Murtagh got himself on a hat-trick.

Skipper Ed Joyce held the Sussex innings together with a wonderful knock of 101, ended late in the day by Neil Dexter.

Middlesex closed on 44-0, Dawid Malan hitting five boundaries in his 27 not out.

After losing their last two Championship matches, Middlesex arrived on the south coast knowing they’d need a win against the current front-runners to haul them back into title contention.

Sussex’s openers made a solid start but Sandhu, in for the injured Toby Roland-Jones, produced the crucial wicket in his third over as he had the dangerous Wells caught behind for 15.

Former England all-rounder Michael Yardy went first ball to Berg, who also dismissed Nash for 40.

With Middlesex making inroads, Luke Wright, whose career best 187 earned Sussex a draw at Lord’s last month, shared in a stand of 56 for the fifth wicket.

But former Sussex spinner Ollie Rayner dislodged Wright for a relatively cheap 22 and, although Joyce continued to make runs, he was given only minimal help from the tail.

Murtagh dismissed Chris Jordan and Steve Magoffin in successive balls to leave Sussex on 196-8 but he couldn’t claim the hat-trick.

Joe Anyon hung around to keep Joyce company and shared in his century celebrations as the pair put on an additional 30.

But their partnership came to an end when Joyce was bowled by Neil Dexter and Berg picked up Anyon in the next over to bowl Sussex out for 229.

Malan and Sam Robson successfully negotiated a tricky 13-over spell before the close as they reached 44-0 to leave Middlesex on top.

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