Ramprakash's century meets with little support as Middlesex struggles again

An unflinching, unbeaten century from England Test discard Mark Ramprakash has guided Middlesex to a score of 227 all out on the first day of its County Championship clash with Sussex at Southgate.

Come rain, thunder and shine all in the one day, Ramprakash was not to be moved from the crease in an innings that showcased all of his trademark determination. His smooth-stroking 110 was certainly the best possible riposte in the wake of his omission from the team to play West Indies at Old Trafford next week.

Aside from the diminutive right hander's play, though, this was another tough day for the Division Two cellar dwellers. In overcast conditions, there was little resolve about their batting. Medium pacers James Kirtley (5/50) and Robin Martin-Jenkins (3/55) revelled in the early going, reducing the locals to 26/2 inside the first hour. The former was even more impressive later in the day, coming back in a second spell to inspire the quick destruction of the home team's middle order in a collapse that saw six wickets lost for the addition of a meagre 95 runs.

Middlesex made two strikes of their own - including one in the shadows of stumps - to have Sussex at 84/2 in reply by the close, but there remains no immediate indication that its bowlers will be able to summon adequate reward for the considerable skill of their number four batsman.