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County Division Two 2022 | MID v SUS | Cheteshwar Pujara’s ton puts Sussex in the driving seat

After being sent to bat, Sussex had a mixed day as they concluded Day 1 at 328 for 4 at Lords. Middlesex bowlers had a tiresome day as Cheteshwar Pujara (115* of 182) and Tom Alsop (135 of 277) scored centuries on a good track.

This is Pujara’s 5th century of the county season, on the back of two double-centuries and two hundreds. Alsop has also been in fine touch as he managed to add another century to his tally after his blistering ton against Leicestershire.

Pujara and Alsop stitched together a mammoth 219 run partnership for the third wicket. Pujara who was named as the interim captain for this crucial match due to the injury of the regular skipper Tom Haines, played a captain's knock after Sussex lost wickets of both the openers within 35 overs.

The scoreboard was dawdling and the game was moving in a prosaic manner. Pujara played some really good shots and made up for lost time. He also managed to smash the only maximum of the match, clearly showing intent of the Indian batter.

ALSO READ: Mark Wood responds to Ben Stokes retirement from ODIs 

Middlesex captain Tim Murtagh expected the ball to do more on the greenish pitch, but the home side couldn’t extract much help from the surface. After the initial phase, the pitch eased out and played nicely for the batters.

The bowling side can be considerably happy as they managed to close the day on a positive note. Tom Helm, who was the pick of the bowlers ended the day with 3 for 63, got two wickets in the 92nd over.

Alsop’s wicket would have given the side something to cheer about on their way back to the dressing room. Apart from Helm, Murtagh was the only wicket taker for the day.

Sussex will want to come out and score more runs and put a commendable total on board on Day 2. Currently placed 7th on the table, only above winless Leicestershire, the visitors are in desperate need for a win.

Middlesex on the other hand are positioned second, and a win will take them to the top of the Division Two points table.

With the stakes high, Day 2 is bound to produce exciting cricket.      


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