Murray Bad Loss followed by Murray Goodwin

Our London Twitterer reports from the armchair with a detailed account of a tense 20/20 win against Sussex Sharks. For those who didn't witness this you can capture exactly how this game panned out and those who did can relive the tension. An excellent read this.

When I agreed with Barmy Kev to do match report, I warned him my priority would be watching our British hope Andy Murray in his semi final against Nadal and may miss the start of play or rely on channel hopping.  Alas, the Scot lost in straight sets in plenty of time for  the cricket (editor's note- I wonder if they would have delayed kick off time if Murray was still playing)

The nice thing about a TV match is not having to travel, but I almost wish I was there seeing Hove looking very pretty and sunlit.  

Sussex are batting first and their early batting line up looks frightening, but Gareth Berg is back for us and its nice to see Ben Scott in the team list. Lots of pre match attention on Hendo  and his heroics at the Rose Bowl; in an  interview he is being interviewed about coming back, if it comes off it he is spectacular he says. Sure is.

We could do with an early wicket wicket  but two boundaries in the first over is not a good sign Ed Joyce looks fluent and Prior gets two comfortable boundaries of Collins and Sussex have a flier.

But then comes over 3: first ball a fantastic catch from Dexter - Joyce drives  fiercely to mid off ; Dex looks like he canít see the ball in the lights but sticks up a right hand over his head as they all cry catch and it sticks. Not sure if he looks more surprised than happy. Next ball Prior chips straight to Dexter for a more conventional two handed catch.

Now for Dwayne Smith who edges the hat trick ball to leg and Pedro Collins can't stop it!  A dot ball follows and then he whips Murts through the leg side for another 4.

But then some clever captaincy/wicket keeping. Scott comes up behind the wicket, Smith canít go down the wicket and chips a straight one direct to midwicket for Ace to take a good reaction catch. What an eventful over! But of course they lost 3 early wickets at Lords! Murts is kept on and his third over produce his first ever T20 maiden. Scott Newman on the mike is happy with 160.

Henderson comes on; 1st ball brilliant keeping from Ben Scott, and then a shout for LBW and Nash is given out. It's all go; do Sussex have a slightly longer tail than usual?  Nice to see Berg back with just two of his first over partly because Scotty's keeping is just as nifty as ever standing up to the wicket. He is marooning Sussex batsmen.

Sussex consolidate for a while until a silly run from Goodwin, a fast  flat  throw from Warner; Gatting dives but is well out. Good fielder that Mr Warner. And its 51/5!  My planned glass of wine will have to wait: I am not moving from the TV!

Sussex are being reduced to singles while they show Chad Keegan with the most ridiculous Mohican hair style. He was much better looking with proper hair.  ( editors note- to think one of our moderators had a hair style based on Chad)

Meanwhile Henderson gets swiped for four before he does Arafat for pace and bounce and at the end of 10 overs Sussex are 61/6, although Goodwin is still in.

But then Goodwin hits it high, David Malan has to sprint, keep the ball in his sights while looking straight into the lights and the sun, dive full length and catch it with his finger tips while still falling, and keep hold of the catch as he lands. Fabulous!!

Only the odd boundary now: bowling tight; fielding alert. Scotty keeping the batsman in their crease. Berg finishes with 4 overs for 14 runs. Welcome back!

Dexter on now and a slower ball gets Chad Keegan out with a good low diving catch from Shah  excellent catching tonight.

Tom Smith on and Sussex still reduced to singles, until Raynor hits a big six into the hospitality tent.  1st 6 of the innings and and Beer is also playing sensibly and getting away with a few edges.  Oh to be a Middlesex supporter and not have too worry.

Murts is back on for the 17th over. Which is when Sussex get to a 100 with ironic sheers from the home supporters

Over 18 from Colllins is crucial. Raymer and Beer have got them to 103 and we donít want many more, but the 1st ball is a beautiful cover drive;  Rayner all of a sudden has 31. Warner stops another potential four, but they get to 111.

19th over Tyrone back on and Beer flicks a boundary  Morgan scoop style
Tries again but only one  as Scott (Ben that is) fields at mid wicket!

Last ball of the over a high heave and Scott Newman takes a well judged catch running in; we have been good in the field.

Final over - Rayner hits another 6 way into the deckchairs,  he is single handedly rescuing this innings. Than another boundary from Kirtley as Malan really cant see a ball.  And then Collins bowls a wide and Sussex with an inside edge of the extra ball get to 140; They should not have but we did nothing really wrong; Rayner took his chances well.

140 should be gettable though; Shah is philosophical about Raynerís innings and says they have been working on their fielding. That showed!

Solid start from Middlesex  no chances taken during the first overs but regular boundaries keep the score ticking over and the rate manageable. Warner is playing shots all round the wicket  three boundaries in 15, now stay in and keep it going please.

Kirtley comes on; Newman aims a cut over the head of the smallest fielder Goodwin, and Keegan has a horrible misfield.  Must be the haircut.

One over of the power play and Dwayne Smith is coming on.  But Newman clatters him for a powerful 6 and good running for the rest of the over means we are 48 off the power play and the target is less than a 100.

Now Raynor is on  and then Beer. They had a good batting partnership lets hope that is not the case with the bowling! But Raynor get a quicker ball through Scott Newman and Prior takes a decent catch. And then Beer cleans bowls Warner and suddenly it is all looking a bit different.  But Shah and Malan are both very good against spinners aren't they?

The trouble with two spinners on is that suddenly 10 overs are gone and we are at 65. But we should get 76 in ten shouldn't we? Especially as they are rotating singles well; Shah goes for one of trade mark straight drives, but the rate all of a sudden is climbing. But we should do this shouldn't we?

We have seen Raynor off, but Nash is coming on with what he says on the mike are mysterious off breaks. We shall see. It's still mainly singles again and the rate is climbing. We should do it; we really should shouldn't we?

Beer's last over and there is a hint of panic in the shot making   - Prior misses a stumping off Malan; next ball is dumped  into the deck chairs for 6 and the next ball is top edged straight to Kirtley;  why is nothing straightforward with us?

And it's Hendo time. He goes straight away for the spectacular but top edges to Beer.  Aarrgh!  And it's nearly two a ball now;  time for a captains innings. Meanwhile Shah hits a huge, huge six to get us to a 100 and then pulls beautifully into a gap for four. He is the key now but a Keegan over only gets us three.

30 in three overs.  And Arafat bowling.  Huge hit from Dexter.  Chad Keegan tries all his might to catch it, than Smith off all people drops a skier; Shah has another beautiful straight drive.

21 off 15.  The bench looks nervous. I feel nervous, even though there is already eleven of this over; twelve with a single to keep Ace on strike.

19  off two overs. Surely . . .  Keegan bowls  Shah goes for a big pull and hits is straight to Arafat.  Aaargh!!!

Then Dexter hits a six over the dug out;  Middlesex players are on their feet.  10 runs from 8 balls. Dexter edges over Priorís head.  6 from 7 balls  Surely . . . .

Last ball of the over another deep pull over Arafat's head and suddenly its two of the last over: Berg has strike. First ball slower ball straight back to Arafat, but then Berg drives crisply and we've done it.  I knew we would; I was never really worried. Honest.