Sussex, chasing 231 for their fifth championship victory on the spin, were 41-2 at lunch on the third day at Lord’s.

Middlesex had resumed on 210-5 – 208 ahead - and lost their remaining five wickets for the addition of just 22 runs in 10.4 overs and 50 minutes.

At the start of play Sussex were looking forward to the new ball, which was due five overs into the morning session. But they made a double breakthrough before that.

Dawid Malan had added just a single to his overnight 69 when he edged the ninth delivery of the morning, bowled by Ollie Robinson, to keeper Ben Brown. And in the next over James Fuller edged Jofra Archer into the safe hands of Chris Jordan at slip for a duck.

Sussex took the new ball and claimed the remaining three wickets in the space of a dozen deliveries. But Sussex suffered an early setback when they set off on their chase. Luke Wells lost his off stump to a full length delivery from Ethan Bamber for only three and just before lunch Phil Salt was caught behind off a fine delivery from Fuller.