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The return of Country cricket in England also saw a major boost to one particular player in Cheteshwar Pujara, who was made the captain of Sussex and backed the team with a brilliantly played unbeaten century that has put his team in a comfortable position against Middlesex at the Lord's.
Playing his seventh county match of the season. Pujara has now scored five centuries in 12 innings. His unbeaten 115 runs has put his team in a strong position over Middlesex, while no bowler managed to get him out. By the end of the day's play, Sussex scored 328 runs for four wickets.
219 runs partnership for the third wicket
Pujara joined the show after the dismissal of Tom Clarke, who had scored 33 runs. Then, Pujara set up a brilliant partnership of 219 runs with Tom Alsop for the third wicket. Tom went on to score 135 runs in 277 balls, with 15 fours to his name. Following his wicket, skipper Pujara kept his cool and the pressure on the Middlesex bowlers.
Umesh Yadav could not even take Pujara's wicket
Even Pujara's India teammate Umesh Yadav did not have any answers to Umesh's bowling. By the end of Day 1, Pujara scored 115 runs in 182 balls with 10 fours and a six. Along with him was Oliver Carter, who also remained unbeaten on five runs. This helped Sussex cross the 300-run mark for the loss of just four wickets. For Middlesex, Tom Helm took three wickets. Meanwhile, Umesh bowled 18 overs for Middlesex without a single wicket.
Pujara's fifth century in county cricket this season
Let us tell you that Pujara made his return to the Test team for India after his success in County cricket. He scored four centuries in consecutive matches in County cricket, including a double century. But, in the final Test against England, there was no big innings from Pujara, with only a half-century to his name. His recent performances might once again ignite the discussion to bring Pujara back into the team.
