CHETESHWAR PUJARA has been praised for his stunning double-century against Middlesex by teammate Tom Alsop.

The batter’s third double century of the season etched him deep into Sussex folklore on day two of their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Middlesex at Lord’s.

The Indian international became the first Sussex batter to make a double century against Middlesex at Lord’s.

The last Sussex batter to achieve 200 at the home of cricket was his fellow countryman Colonel H. H. Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji II while playing against the MCC 125 years ago.

Sussex batter Tom Alsop said: “Cheteshwar (Pujara) has said he doesn’t really keep count on his runs, so I doubt he’ll know (he’s the first Sussex batter to score 200 against Middlesex at Lord’s), but he’s a fantastic player.

“We talk about having world-class basics and for me it’s not only his technical ability but his mental strength, to be able to concentrate and get back into each ball. His method and routine is second to none really.

“It’s been testing conditions with the heat and the pitch, but there were a few which gripped out there tonight for Archie (Lenham), Delray is always a handful and makes things happen.

“Ari (Karvelas) bowled beautifully in patches and was unlucky not to get his reward and then there’s Finny (Steve Finn) with his class over the years, so we’ll try again tomorrow.”