The next generation of Sussex players are emerging at Hove, but it was a couple of seasoned campaigners who stole the show against Middlesex yesterday.

James Kirtley recorded his best bowling figures for two years by taking 6-80 before Middlesex were finally dismissed after securing maximum batting points for the first time this season.

Then Chris Adams offered a reminder that he is still capable of the sort of swashbuckling strokeplay which earned him his reputation as one of the county game's great entertainers in the first place.

The skipper led a thrilling counter-attack with 72 off 75 balls as Sussex recovered from 27-3 to 206-5 before a sea fret rolled in after tea and play was abandoned with 27 overs of the second day unused.

At no ground in the country do atmospheric conditions play more of a part than Hove. The pitch was flat and batting looked easy when the sun was out yesterday but when the clouds rolled over it was a different story.

The hosts started their reply to Middlesex's 401 under sullen skies and the combination of Irfan Pathan's mastery of swing and an out of form Sussex top order made for a predictable outcome.

The burly Indian Pathan, who was making his Middlesex debut, struck twice in six deliveries with the new ball, trimming Ian Ward's off bail thanks to late inswing before trapping a half-forward Richard Montgomerie on the crease.

Montgomerie has scored just 48 runs in seven Championship innings and unless he can rediscover his form when Sussex bat again his place will come under serious threat from Tim Ambrose.

When Mike Yardy edged Richardson low to slip the follow-on target of 252, let alone Middlesex's first innings 401, looked a long way off.

But Adams has always relished this sort of challenge and the offensive he launched after lunch with Murray Goodwin provided superb entertainment.

The 60-yard boundary on the pavilion side was temptingly short and both men cleared it once, Adams' savage pull leaving a spectator needing hospital treatment for a swollen arm.

Their 50 partnership took just eight overs, the century stand came up in 19. Adams struck 12 fours including three in one over off Richardson and the groans of disappointment from the crowd when he was surprised by Scott Styris' yorker were understandable.

Goodwin suffered little by comparison. He struck nine fours, the majority crunched in his favourite offside areas, from 108 balls faced before Styris struck again for the second time in four overs, snapping up a leading edge low down as Goodwin looked to work the ball through mid-wicket.

As the mist rolled in batting became increasingly hazardous and Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkins did well to survive for another 12 overs unscathed before the light got too bad, although it was not until 6.30pm before the umpires decided the light was not going to improve.

The sun had been out at the start of the day and Middlesex's tail wagged merrily, their last three wickets adding 131 runs.

It was a frustrating first 90 minutes for Sussex but Kirtley again looked the pick of the attack and it was no more than he deserved when Pathan was caught behind trying to guide the ball to third man.

Kirtley finished with 6-80, his best figures since his 6-26 dismantled Kent at Hove two years ago, a performance which propelled him into the England Test squad for the first time.

The 30-year-old is unlikely to get the call to arms again but his form this season - he now has 20 Championship wickets - suggests that his meagre returns in 2004 were a blip in what has been a remarkably consistent career.

May 27, 2005