Sussex Sharks D40 vs Middlesex D40

Sussex Sharks D40 vs Middlesex D40: Match Report

Following on from the Sussex’s impressive win over Lancashire at Hove two weeks ago, the side went into this game against Middlesex with a positive energy in the group. This was boosted when captain Bunday won the toss and elected bowl at an overcast Ansty cc.

The Sussex opening bowlers got to work and it was Gee (2/36) that made the early inroads, dismissing both the Middlesex opening batsman in the first 8 overs. 

The introduction of spin saw Vosloo (1/32) into the attack and he struck in his first over removing the stubborn Janjale just before the drinks break. 

Batten joined Greenway at the crease, who was keeping things ticking along nicely for Middlesex. Batten was dismissed shortly after the drinks break, bowled by Stuart (1/30).

With Middlesex on 102/4 after 23 overs and the game evenly poised, Nordin joined Greenway in the middle. This pair really took the game to the Sussex bowlers for the next overs 8 with a partnership worth 85 which also saw Greenway bring up his century. 

The change of ends for Pyle (4/39) worked a treat for Sussex as he was able to dismiss Greenway for 115 off 68 balls. This was the first of four bowled wickets for Pyle including the opportunity of a hat trick which was narrowly missed. 

Bunday (1/65) was also able to get in on the act with a wicket, caught comfortably by Ridge at Mid off. The pairs regular wickets towards the end of the innings saw Middlesex finish on 241/9 from their 40 overs.

Sussex knew this wasn’t going to be an easy chase but achievable with the power they have in their ranks. Openers Ridge and Piper strolled to the middle. It was a short stay for Ridge who was dismissed in the first over of the reply. 

Wicket keeper Elliott Brown joined Piper in the middle looking to rebuild the innings like the pair had done two weeks before against Lancashire. Unfortunately for Sussex, this wasn’t the case, Brown was caught behind in the second over. 

Sussex with an uphill task, found the game slipping away from them when Piper (6) and Gee were both dismissed by Nordin in the fifth over of the innings leaving the home side 15/4. 

Pyle (26) and skipper Bunday (7) came together, trying to show some resilience for the sharks who had seen their top order blown away in the blink of an eye. 

Bunday was the next man to depart, caught off the bowling of Nordin. Stuart (5) came to the crease but also fell victim to Nordin who completed his 5 wicket haul with Sussex 50/6. 

It was Deja vu for Sussex in the fourteenth over as they lost two wickets in the over for the second time in the match. The resilient Pyle was the first to go, bowled by Kumar. Dallaway quickly followed, trapped lbw. 

Loveland (9) and Ferguson (22) showed great character for the sharks with positive running between the wickets, trying to get as many runs as they could. The partnership ended just before drinks when Loveland was bowled by Jones, leaving Sussex 66/9.

Some great ball striking by Ferguson and determined batting by Vosloo (1) to stay with his partner saw Sussex creep up to 89. The final wicket fell when Ferguson was trapped lbw by Jones to bring the game to a close. 

Sussex next travel to Surrey on the 9th June at the Oval for their fourth match of the season. A second vs third encounter in the table with the sharks looking to bounce back from their performance against Middlesex.