Fifties for Wells & Burgess and wickets for Academy bowlers in second tour match against Middlesex

Sussex took advantage of further valuable match practice during the second of their friendlies against Middlesex in South Africa on Monday.

Despite falling to a seven wicket defeat, there was a second half century in as many days for Luke Wells, a fifty for Michael Burgess and more late-order runs from Jofra Archer.

The match also brought Academy players, Jack Carson and Will Sheffield their first wickets in senior cricket.

Sussex batted first on another hot day at the Vineyard Oval with the same line up as Sunday’s match against the same opposition.

After the early loss of Phil Salt (14), Luke Wells and Tom Haines put on 68 for the second wicket.

The runs flowed for Wells who played in a very similar fashion to the way he had a day earlier. Taking on both the Middlesex seamers and spinners, he raced to another half-century.

Haines played a supporting role, allowing Wells – brimming with confidence – to take most of the strike and full advantage of the fielding restrictions.

The 19-year-old had scored eight when he was run out, and that presaged something of a collapse.

Wells was caught for 61 off just 55 balls, before Ben Brown, Danny Briggs and Ollie Robinson fell cheaply to leave Sussex at 126-6 at around the half way point of the Sussex innings.

Watching on from the other end was Michael Burgess who set about the rebuilding process. Running hard and selecting his shots judiciously, he put on 69 for the seventh wicket with Jofra Archer, who batted responsibly for a 50-ball 36.

Young Jack Carson then demonstrated his ability to occupy the crease against a quality bowling attack, making 13 and adding 28 in partnership with Burgess.

Upping the tempo in the final overs, Burgess hit two sixes but was then bowled by Max Holden for 60.

Sussex were eventually dismissed for 242 with nine balls of their innings remaining.

Openers Sam Robson and Steve Eskinazi began Middlesex’s chase in positive fashion, hitting early boundaries off Sussex’s new ball pairing of Abi Sakande and Will Sheffield.

It wasn’t until the scoreboard had ticked over to 119 that Sussex made a breakthrough when off-spinner Carson deceived Robson in the flight and had the England international caught in the deep by Burgess – not a bad scalp for the 17 year-old!

Carson was impressive generally, exercising good control and limiting the batsmen’s scoring options during his six overs.

Luke Wells gave Sussex some hope of a comeback when he had Eskinazi caught behind by Brown with the score on 147, but a third wicket partnership of 71 between Tom Lace & Max Holden took Middlesex to within touching distance of victory.

Will Sheffield pinned Lace in front for 32 with 25 runs required for victory, but Holden (52*) and Robbie White (10*) saw Middlesex home in the 43rd over.

Sussex’s final match of their pre-season tour to Cape Town takes place on Wednesday against Durham MCCU at Claremont CC.

The scorecard from Monday's match can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.