RICHARD Scott insisted it was missed chances rather than a benign Lord’s pitch which cost Middlesex victory over Sussex in their latest County Championship clash.
The hosts forced the visiting league leaders to follow-on despite the flattest of tracks at the ‘Home of Cricket’ but had to settle for the lions’ share of the points from a draw after 200 plus overs of toil in the field.
However, rather than point an accusing finger at a wicket which was far from result friendly Head Coach Scott was honest enough to highlight instead a number of missed opportunities, particular where Sussex’s Luke Wright was concerned.
The all-rounder hit a career-best 187 to see the visitors to safety, but would have been plumb LBW first ball to James Harris on the third afternoon, but for the delivery from the Welshman being ruled a no-ball.
The centurion was also dropped in the deep by Tim Murtagh late on the third evening and again by skipper Chris Rogers on the final afternoon – two of five missed opportunities altogether.
“There were missed chances along the way which we were left to rue, so it does not come down to the pitch,” said Scott.
“It does come down to the five dropped catches and having Luke Wright LBW first ball but to a no-ball. If you take those chances you still win the match because we were that good, so it feels like a missed opportunity right now.”
Nevertheless, Scott acknowledged once the dust settled on the action there would be much to be proud about in the way his side had performed against the only other unbeaten side in the Championship.
He added: “It was an epic effort from the lads.
“We outplayed Sussex for the majority of the game, making them follow-on on what was a good wicket and if you sum it up we have just spent 210 overs in the field and almost pulled off a miraculous win.
“It will stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season knowing we have taken on the top team in the country at the moment and had the better of them for four days.”
