Oh Robbo does like to be by the seaside

comebackgatt reports on a wonderful day for the Middle at a sunny Hove. Apart from another superb knock from Sam Robson, we hear him wax lyrical about his journey, who he met at lunch time and what he did after close of play.

Decided to go the scenic route, the coast road from Broadstairs to Hove. What a relaxing drive, Classic FM on the radio, the sun shimmering on the sea to my left and the  Kent/Sussex fields to my right, oh to be in England now the summer is here.

Anyway, back to reality, arrived in Hove and park my car in Tesco car park (whisper this but it is free) and walked the 10 or so minutes to the ground. Took my place in the sun at 10.50am. Good day for us yesterday, well done to our attack, minus 3 main seamers, to bowl the leaders out for 229 and the AC and Robbo seeing us through to stumps unbeaten on 44.  This on what was one of the re-laid wickets here, and the same one that Middx beat Sussex on last August. News that Finny had been left out the Test side and was on the way down and replace Sandu.

 Anyway, play got underway. 16 runs added before Middle lose their first wicket as Malan nicks Anyon through to keeper Brown, AC gone for 32 @60-1 .Enter Joe Denly and he immediately looks to dominate the bowling. Indeed he hits Aynon for five boundaries off two over’s, the outfield is lighting quick so once the ball is through the infield it is on its way to the rope.

The second hour starts with any early sea mist burned off and it is getting hotter. I decide to move and find bit of shade. One has to keep up liquid content (and I mean water) so have brought plenty o=f bottled water with ice pack. Still looking good on the field with Denly and Robson looking in no trouble (famous last words), although Denly was dropped at short leg on 31. Denly goes through to a sparkling 50, including 8 x 4’s. Monty has been brought on but nothing for him yet. Two more milestones to celebrate, fist Robson’s 50 (including 6 x 4’s) then the hundred partnerships. Monty keeping things tight from one end, but overall run rate 4.75, with Jordan going for over six an over.

 Lunch arrives, with a four off the last ball of the morning by Robbo off the spinner.  Score 180-1, Denly 77, Robson 57.

Time to unpack my pack and tuck in to my salad a very happy bunny. Gasping for a cup of tea, so I’m off to find one.

On my preamble around the ground came across Chad Keegan near the pavilion, exchanged a few quick words as he was with someone.

Arrrah, a reporter’s nightmare, bit late returning from lunch and find Denly was out in the first over, caught Nash bowled Magoffin for 77, that’s all I know folks!! Started again in the sun but began to wilter so back in the shade.

Hats off (not a good idea) to the Sussex quickies, who despite the heat and seemingly flat track, are still charging in. First innings lead is achieved but straight after Adam Voges goes caught Wells bowled Anyon for 20 at 230-3. Enter the skipper Neil Dexter.

Robson into the nineties, but looking confident and with a lovely cover drive off Monty he goes through to his third hundred of the season and over 900 runs now. Gets a very generous round of applause from crowd.

We continue to dominate and Dext takes us to tea with a 6 and then a 4.

 Tea : Middlesex 308-3 Robson 119*, Dexter39* 3 batting points and a lead of 79.

Time for an ice cream.

We had a couple of over’s of spin from Chris Wells (conceding 24) and Luke Wells to hurry the arrival of the new ball. It worked when Dexter was bowled, surprised by a change of pace it seemed. Dexy out for 48 @332-4. Enter John Simpson.

Things proceeded as before in the last session, with the Sussex players looking tired and dispirited. 400 was passed giving us maximum batting points and things were only interrupted by the dismissal of Sam Robson. Having gone down the track to hit Panesar for six, tried to repeat it next ball only for the ball to turn back into him and hit off stump. Robbo out for wonderful 166.

That was not the end of the misery for the home side as Simpson and Berg kept the runs following to stumps. At the close Middlesex had scored 401 runs in the day to close on 445 – 5, Simpson on 39 and Berg 26. A lead of 215.

I suspect Dexter will be looking to bat on until just before lunch and then let Finny loose as he will be trying to show the England selectors they were wrong to omit him. The odd ball climbed steeply which will suit Finn,  and Sussex will have to get their heads down in their second innings.

 As for me, I’m off down to the beach for a paddle and then home.