Absolute Khan-age

BIG HARV REPORTS ON ANOTHER COLLAPSE AND A MIDDLESEX DEFEAT. INFACT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT WE LOST THIS WOULD BE A GOOD READ.

Readers will be disappointed to discover that there is no epic train journey to report on for this one. I took up the offer a free board and lodging with my friend Woody (who lives locally) and his wife Debs. Last night I was admirably looked after with a superb evening meal consisting of no fewer than four different curries, rice, and two types of samosa. All home made to authentic Indian and Pakistani recipes. Breakfast consisted of cereal, a succulent bacon sandwich, and there was even a lift to the game, too!

Arrival at the ground was early, determined as I was to secure one of the deckchairs that make a game at Hove such an attractive proposition. Sadly, many of these seem to have been replaced with much less comfortable plastic chairs, but there are still enough deckchairs for those who arrive early enough.

The first two days had been played out in glorious sunshine. There was a bit more cloud around today, along with a fresh breeze, but it was still not bad. Middlesex resumed on 92/2, with nightwatchman TRJ on 5 and Robbo on 24. I went to find some Middlesex fans, and Phil's prediction that “we're doomed” seemed to sum up the general mood. Myself and Lower Pavilion were more optimistic, noting that we were in a stronger position this morning than at the start of play yesterday.

The impressive Magoffin opened the bowling, with Monty Panesar at the other end. TRJ brought up the 100 with a magnificent on-drive to the boundary off Magoffin, and followed that with a vicious pull through mid-wicket.

Off Magoffin's next over, TRJ had a lifeline when dropped by Wells at slip. However he was unable to make use of it, as he was caught behind by Brown off the very next ball. Still, he had done his job as nightwatchman, and with AC joining Robbo at the crease, Sussex's lead was soon cancelled out with just 3 wickets down.

The score had progressed to 132/3 when Amjad Khan, bowling out of his skin, had Robbo (36) caught behind.

With 4 down, instead of continuing the spirited and disciplined fight, Middlesex now began to take unnecessary chances. AC was lucky to survive when a skied hook off Amjad just evaded the man at long leg, but once again couldn't make use of this life, as in the next over, having made 18, he lapped Monty Panesar straight to short leg. “Horrible shot” said some. “Unlucky” said the Sussex fan next to me, since he'd made good contact, and usually such chances don't stick.

148/5, and worse followed with Simmo (3) edging Amjad to Yardy at 2^nd slip. Berg (1) soon followed, caught behind off Amjad playing a truly awful waft outside off-stump.

Lunch couldn't come soon enough, at 177/7, with Dex on 24, and Ollie on 3.

Hopes that Middlesex's often prolific tail could salvage something after lunch were soon shattered. Ollie was struck on the head by a vicious Magoffin bouncer, which reared up from only just short of a length. He needed treatment, and in hindsight should probably have gone off to regain his composure. In the next over, visibly rattled, and backing away, he edged a short one from Anyon through to the keeper. 197/8.

Dex (40) joined the procession, slightly unluckily caught behind off a legside delivery from Anyon and it was 208/9.

A couple of balls later Monty Panesar delighted the home supporters by holding onto a catch on the point boundary from a Murts uppercut off Anyon. He is not as bad a fielder nowadays as his reputation suggests. Unfortunately for them, no-ball was called, but Murts followed in the footsteps of others by not making use of his life, dragging the next ball onto his stumps!

211 all out and a target of just 95 was never going to be anywhere near enough.

The Middlesex bowlers toiled manfully. However although the high standards set in the first innings were maintained, and the Sussex batsmen were never allowed to look comfortable, they simply didn't have enough runs to play with. Dex caught Nash at 1^st slip for 5 off Murts to make it 9/1, but that's as good as it got for Middlesex.

A partnership of 58 between Wells and Joyce was ended when the latter (35) fell to a stunning catch by Ollie off his own bowling. It was low and to his left but by then it was all academic. The umpires prolonged our agony by deciding to have a tea break at 68/2, but it took only another 3.3 overs for Sussex to knock off the remaining runs.

The cheer that went up for the winning runs as Ollie found the edge of Wells's bat, only for it to beat Simmo behind the stumps, paled into insignificance compared with the loudest cheer of the day. The latter came when it was announced over the tannoy that KP had been dropped for the final Test! Both sets of supporters were happy with that announcement, even if it might mean that Middlesex have to face his wrath at the Gasworks in a few days time. That's assuming he doesn't decide in the meantime that playing County Championship cricket is beneath him of course!

This match was another frustrating one in which our bowlers were once again badly let down by our batsmen. Sussex won this game because they batted with superb discipline, even when tight Middlesex bowling prevented the scoreboard from moving too fast. Pretty much all of them had to be got out by good bowling, while on our side there were too many soft dismissals in both innings. Today's capitulation was especially disappointing after the hard work and high quality cricket played  yesterday to undo some of the damage done on the 1^st day.

It was a very impressive performance from Sussex, who looked good with both bat and ball, even (especially) Amjad Khan. He bowled wonderfully, but up until now I had always thought him to be a pie thrower. I mentioned the latter point to some Sussex fans who told me that they had thought exactly the same thing!

Our own TRJ was also superb. It is to be hoped the apparent hobbling back to his mark in the 2^nd innings is not indicative of a major problem. We need him to be fit for the trip to South London.