Sussex D40 fall short against Middlesex

Sussex played their final home league game of the 2022 D40 Quest season against Middlesex at Ansty CC.

Following their superb performance their last match against Surrey at Hove, hopes were high of another win.

Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat. The Sussex opening bowlers struggled for line and length and Middlesex moved comfortably to 102 in less than 13 overs before losing their first wicket.

Following the drinks break, Sussex bowled with much more discipline which saw 7 more wickets fall in the next 13 overs for the addition of only 39 runs. Charlie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers with figures 5 for 19 from 6 overs.

At 141 for 8, there was a chance that Middlesex could be all out for under 150. However, with their opener still there and a late flurry of hitting by the tail they moved to 194 before being all out in 31.3 overs, including a disappointing 60 runs in extras.

Having scored over 300 in their last match, Sussex were confident of chasing down their target.  However, some very good bowling and perhaps a lack of application by the top order, Sussex were reduced to 30 for 5 after 9 overs.

A mid order partnership of 62 revived the slim possibility of chasing the runs but
Sussex never really looked like getting near the total and were all out for 115 in 33.5 overs. Middlesex won the game by 79 runs.

Sussex currently sit 3rd in the D40 Quest table with two away fixtures remaining. The next fixture is away to Essex on 17th July.