Middlesex hit by Sussex's Luke Wright

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Uxbridge:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Sussex 413-9
Middlesex 3pts, Sussex 5pts
Match scorecard

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Wright has played 40 one-day internationals for England

Luke Wright blasted a century to give Division Two leaders Sussex control over Middlesex on day one at Uxbridge.

After home captain Neil Dexter opted to field, Sussex opener Chris Nash made 48 before Ed Joyce (85) and Murray Goodwin (80) added 113 for the third wicket.

Three wickets from Toby Roland-Jones (4-82) then gave the hosts some hope as Sussex slipped from 259-3 to 276-7.

But Wright (105 no), who hit the last ball of the day for six to move to three figures, took Sussex to 413-9.

The visitors lost Mike Yardy - one of 13 past or present internationals taking part in the match - cheaply but then saw former Middlesex man Joyce seize the initiative with the help of Nash and Goodwin.

606: DEBATE Looks like Luke was in the groove today PompeyMeowth

When the left-hander flicked Iain O'Brien to Owais Shah at square leg, Goodwin and Matt Prior (30) added 65 in 12 overs for the third wicket.

But Steven Finn had Goodwin caught at long leg before paceman Roland-Jones, in just his third first-class game, struck three times in quick succession to rip the heart out of the Sussex middle order.

However Wright launched a brilliant counter-attack, including hitting Finn back over his head for the first of three sixes in helping to add 92 runs so far for the last two Sussex wickets.

The England all-rounder was on 69 when last man Corey Collymore joined him at the crease but moved to his eighth first-class hundred from 96 balls by again striking Finn over the ropes.