Ian Salisbury said he was proud of Sussex’s efforts as they fought out a draw at Lord’s – helped by two trialists on debut.

Ari Karvelas thwarted Middlesex’s hopes of victory with a defiant career-best half-century this afternoon.

Karvelas, a Johannesburg-born Greece international, batted for more than two hours to blunt the Middlesex attack after Tom Helm’s morning burst – which earned him match figures of 9-146 – had raised the prospects of a final-session run chase.

Brad Currie - playing like Karvelas, on a trial basis - took six wickets on day three as Sussex forced a first-innings lead of 38.

Sussex coach Salisbury said: “We played really well for probably two thirds of the game and they had an amazing session last night and one this morning.

“For us to start winning again, first you’ve got to stop losing, so I’m really proud of the guys.

“To watch two 17-year-olds (Dan Ibrahim and Archie Lenham) battle it out after lunch and then a debutant like Ari score the runs was great.

“If this was a Test match and we’d managed to sneak 230 or 240 ahead, it would have been a cracking game of cricket.

“Making your debut for Sussex at Lord’s is pretty special, with Brad getting his six-for and Ari getting 50 – they were outstanding. I backed them to perform and they did.

“They’ve been playing for our second team all season, we’ve had our eye on them and they’ve both deserved the opportunity for their attitude and their bowling.”