Cricket: Pigott's last-ball exploits deliver parity for Sussex: Gatting lays foundations for memorable tie for Middlesex

Middlesex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247-7

Sussex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247-8

Match tied

SUSSEX tied with Middlesex in a dramatic finish at Lord's when they scored nine of the 10 runs they needed to win from the last over, bowled by John Emburey. Middlesex, put in to bat, had first made 247 for 7 in a match reduced by rain to 49 overs a side and Sussex replied with 247 for 8.

Colin Wells, who had come in at No 8, took a single off Emburey's first ball and Neil Lenham swept at the second and was caught by Paul Weekes at mid-on. The batsmen had crossed and Wells scored two to long- on off the third ball and a single from the fourth. Tony Pigott hit the next, his first ball, to backward square-leg for two, and then, with four needed, struck the last to wide long-on and they were able to run a comfortable three to bring the scores level.

Earlier, it had looked as if Mike Gatting's 91 with useful help from John Carr and Keith Brown had left Sussex with too much to do especially as Bill Athey, for a long time, was unable to get the ball away. His 50, which came in the 39th over, included 33 singles but, with Alan Wells as his partner, he began to find the gaps in the field.

These two put on 75 for the fourth wicket in 16 overs before Wells drove Emburey to mid-on. Keith Greenfield did not stay long but Peter Moores then played a splendid little innings which included a pick-up to mid- wicket for six from a full toss by Angus Fraser, who was disappointing.

With Athey now scoring almost at will, Sussex had a real chance. They needed 49 from the last five overs. Moores then skied Weekes to cover and Athey's knock ended when Fraser bowled him with the last ball of the 48th over. And so to the last over.