Pujara double-century highlight on day 2

Cheteshwar Pujara’s third double century of the season etched him deep into Sussex folklore on day two of their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Middlesex at Lord’s.

The Indian international became the first Sussex batter to make a double century against Middlesex at Lord’s. The last Sussex batter to achieve 200 at the home of cricket was his fellow countryman Colonel H. H. Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji II while playing against the MCC 125 years ago.

Pujara, whose marathon effort, which had begun 24 hours earlier during London’s hottest day on record, batted almost nine hours before being last out, having steered his side to 523 – so eclipsing Sussex’s previous best score at Lord’s of 522 set in 2005.

Tom Helm was the pick of the home side’s bowlers, taking five for 109, his fourth five-wicket haul in Middlesex colours.

At a time where there is so much talk of ‘Bazball’ Pujara reminded us of the merits of a classical innings, demanding concentration, technique, and a purity of stroke-play.

Perhaps fatigued by his efforts 24 hours earlier, Pujara was subdued throughout the morning, twice chastening himself for loose strokes, but helped by youngster Danial Ibrahim, who showed maturity beyond his 17 years, he regathered himself and dug in once more.

The pair added 68 either side of lunch before Roland Jones trapped Ibrahim for an invaluable 36.

If Middlesex, who’d put Sussex in on day one, thought their torture was over they were wrong as Pujara found another ally in debutant Aristides Karvelas.

The 28-year-old, who became a Greek international only last week, blocked up an end allowing Pujara to reach 150 in 400 minutes after which the shackles came off.

 He greeted the return of Hollman by hoisting him into the Compton Stand. His one life on day two came on 175 when John Simpson, standing up to the stumps to Tim Murtagh failed to hold on to a thin edge

There was a lovely ovation for former Middlesex man Finn, who allowed Pujara to forge on towards the double century mark.

There were no nervous 190s as he twice in an over drove Murtagh through mid-off for four before a single dropped into the on-side led to another ovation.

Finn was finally stumped, but there was time for a third six before Pujara just failed make red ink, perishing in the grand manner to give Helm his fifth scalp.

Middlesex made a positive start in reply, reaching 103 without loss at stumps, Mark Stoneman on 47 and Sam Robson 45.