After electing to bat first, Sussex didn’t have that impressive a start as James Cole departed after in the third ball of the innings. Nevertheless, they raced to 67 in 4.3 overs when they lost their second. Former England batter Bopara added 67 with Tom Alsop, followed by another 119 with George Garton.

The right-handed batter became a victim of Max Harris in the 20th over for 144. Ishaan Kaushal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-0-51-3 and also had the most respectable figures among all other Middlesex bowlers. Sussex’s scoring rate stood at a whopping 16.20 alongside the extras, which made up 22.

Middlesex second XI crash to a 194-run defeat:

In response, the Middlesex second XI came under pressure and lost three wickets within the first four overs. Sam Robson offered resistance, with four fours and a six in his 25-ball 37 and fell in the 12th over. Max Harris, who batted at number eight, clobbered three maximums in his 19-ball 29, but their batting performance was nowhere close to their opposition’s.

Bopara, who bowls medium pace and earlier left Middlesex dazed, finished with four wickets in his three overs. Aside from the 38-year-old, Garton and Bradley Currie shared five scalps between them, with the latter snaring three. James Coles also picked up one for a good measure to lead hammer Middlesex by 194 runs.