Close, day two: Middlesex 170 & 92-2 v Sussex 287
Sussex 5pts, Middlesex 3pts
Toby Roland-Jones was the beast who took 6-66 – his career-best figures – to finish off Sussex on a better second day for Middlesex at Hove.
Sussex captain Ed Joyce and his predecessor, the former England allrounder Michael Yardy, were enjoying a superb partnership before the seamer stunted the duo at a combined 78.
And after he also took Yardy for an eventual 89, Roland-Jones stopped James Anyon forming another partnership after his stand with Steve Magoffin had almost reached 50.
Middlesex still trailed by 25 runs at stumps but have eight wickets in hand thanks to Roland-Jones’ fine performance as nightwatchman with Sam Robson.
Sussex began the second day after a blistering first with the ball with Joyce and Yardy settled and ready to build on their combined 42 from Friday evening.
But after Joyce made his half-century in the morning. Roland-Jones made the all-important first breakthrough in the 18th over of the session, forcing Joyce (68) to edge to John Simpson behind the stumps.
The second imperative wicket was that of Yardy as he was marching towards a century, after Tim Murtagh had disposed of England youngster Luke Wright (10) and Roland-Jones dismissed Ben Brown (12).
Maggofin’s 35 added some important extras for Sussex but Middlesex will have been buoyed by stopping them short of 300 runs.
The visitors lost the captain Chris Rogers two runs short of a half-century in the evening, with England spinner Monty Panesar the wicket taker – and then Joe Denly quickly to Maggofin before close.
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This post was last modified on 12/08/2012