Middlesex take full advantage of conditions on day one

Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson broke Middlesex’s record for the highest first-wicket partnership as they put Sussex’s attack to the sword.

Robson was unbeaten on 192 and Stoneman made 174 as Middlesex piled up 400 for two on the first day of the LV = Insurance County Championship Division Three match at The 1st Central County Ground.

They beat the 372 by Mike Gatting and Justin Langer against Essex at Southgate in 1998 and when Stoneman was eventually dismissed on 376, they had compiled the third highest partnership for any wicket in Middlesex’s history.

The second new ball brought Sussex a breakthrough when Stoneman was caught behind for 174 in the 86th over, his first hundred since his move from Surrey.

But Robson ploughed on and by stumps had faced 285 balls and hit 23 fours. He walked off to a standing ovation and will have the third double hundred of his career in his sights tomorrow.

It was a good toss to win with the sun out and the pitch offering little assistance but apart from one chance Robson offered on 61, when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Oli Carter, the Middlesex pair made untroubled progress.

Sussex employed seven bowlers, although George Garton was not used, but their attack was neutered by a benign surface and the unfussy way Stoneman and Robson accumulated their runs.

They had 134 on the board at lunch, the highlight of the morning session when Stoneman carved Dan Ibrahim through the offside for three successive boundaries.

There was a feeling that Sussex would pay a heavy price when Carter reprieved Robson shortly after lunch off left-armer Sean Hunt and even a change of ball in the 40th over didn’t offer any respite for the hosts.

Stoneman drove Delray Rawlins through the covers to reach his hundred first and Robson followed shortly afterwards with a boundary off Crocombe. They added 154 runs in the afternoon session and Robson needed only 55 more balls to move to 150.

When the partnership went past 338 it was the highest Sussex have conceded against Middlesex, beating a record which had been set by Robert Lucas and Tim O’Brien back in 1895, 126 years ago.

Eventually Stoneman played a tired shot at Crocombe, and this time Carter held on. The former Durham left-hander had faced 266 balls and hit 20 fours and two sixes.

Hunt picked up belated rewards when Steve Eskinazi (4) was caught behind pushing forward just before stumps.

Reflecting on a tough day for his team, Sussex Head Coach Ian Salisbury said: "We tried our hardest but sometimes you have to tip your hat to the opposition. They had two international-class openers on a really good pitch playing really well. We couldn't get the ball to move or spin but it was still a good experience for our young side. We're here to produce England players and to play at that level you have to learn how to bowl on flat pitches."

Sam Robson, who finished 192 not out, said: "It was just one of those days you dream about in your career when everything goes your way. The sun was out and the conditions for batting were great and once we got through the new ball we just egged each other on really, batting doesn't get much better than that. We kept hearing things on the speakers about records but to be honest I didn't know what they were all for, but it was a nice feeling and just one of those days when everything goes to plan."

Mark Stoneman, who made 174, said: "To be honest after last week [a pair against Derbyshire] I was just glad to get off the mark! Hove is a ground where if there is some width on offer you can score quite quickly and all in all it was a very good day's work for us. Sam is still there and hopefully we can hammer home our advantage tomorrow and then let our bowlers have a go."