Records broken as Middlesex beat Sussex

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Middlesex 367-6 (50 ov) bt Sussex 305-9 (40 ov) by four runs (D/L method)
(Sussex 0 pts, Middlesex 2 pts)

Nick Gubbins and Dawid Malan both hit big centuries as Middlesex smashed their record for a one-day total before seeing off Sussex in a thrilling rain-affected finish at Hove.

Gubbins (131) and Malan (141) shared in an incredible stand of 268 for the second wicket, also a club record in a limited-overs match, compiled in little more than 35 overs.

Malan had hit 13 fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Michael Yardy to end the fun.

Gubbins hammered seven maximums, including one to reach his century, as he eclipsed his previous best List A score of 56 prior to holing out to long-off.

That left Middlesex on 288-3 in the 42nd over but John Simpson came in to bash 50 from just 25 balls to push the visitors’ total beyond the astonishing 350-6 they made against Lancashire in 2012, when the competition was only 40 overs.

Two rain delays in the early part of the Sussex reply forced the players off and the delays led to a revising of the target, to 309 in 40 overs.

Nash (40) and Luke Wright (72) helped keep Sussex on track with the required rate, but neither could go on to match the heroics of Gubbins and Malan, as they fell to Neil Dexter and Toby Roland-Jones.

Dexter ended up with three wickets, while Roland-Jones accounted for the dangerous Ed Joyce for just 10 to leave Sussex on 180-4 with 15 overs remaining.

Australian George Bailey anchored an outstanding attempt to get close, despite seeing partners depart with regularity at the other end.

He hit 112 from just 76 deliveries including three sixes late in the day to leave Sussex needing 17 from the final over.

But he was run out with three balls to go and James Harris kept Sussex’s tailenders in check to ensure victory.

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