County Championship 2022 | Pujara’s double century puts Sussex in command against Durham

It was another strong performance from Cheteshwara Pujara, where he slammed his second double century in the County Championship 2022 at County Ground, Hove. 

Sussex began the Day on 362/5, with Pujara and Pakistan national Rizwan at the crease. The duo set the cricket field on fire with their delightful shots around the park. 

They batted throughout the morning session and emphatically steered the team. In this pursuit, Rizwan scored his first half-century of this season. 

However, the 154-run stand between the seasoned campaigners was ended by Matt Salisbury, who dismissed Rizwan for a score of 79 off 145 balls, comprising seven fours. 

Pujara looked confident enough to pierce the gaps to pacers and charged against the spinners to score runs. It was his 2nd double century, with the first one coming against Derbyshire last week. 

He also became the second Indian batter after Mohammad Azharuddin to hit two double centuries in a single County season. In the 152nd over of the innings, Pujara was beaten by Liam Trevaskis and was stumped for 203 off 334 balls, with 24 fours. 

The likes of Delray Rawlins and Aaron Beard contributed 12 and 11*, respectively, while others perished for single-digit scores, and the team getting dismissed for 538, with a staggering lead of 315 runs. 

The spinner, Trevaskis, was the most successful bowler for the visitors with five wickets to his name, with Matty Potts and Matt Salisbury picking two each. Trailing by 315, Durham openers Alex Lees and Sean Dickson started cautiously but gradually gained control and smashed the bowlers in the final session. 

At the end of Day’s play, Durham are at 169/0, with Lees at 50*and Dickson with 110*, and the team is still trailing by 146 runs. It will be an exciting morning session on Day 4, whether the duo can continue to negate the talented pace attack of the home team. 

Brief Scores on Day 3: 

Durham- 169/0 in 51 overs (2nd innings)

Alex Lees 50*, Sean Dickson 110*

Sussex - 538/10 in 153.5 overs (1st innings)

Cheteshwar Pujara 203, Mohammad Rizwan 79

Liam Trevaskis 5/128

Durham - 223 all-out in 73.5 overs (1st innings)

Liam Trevaskis 88, Sean Dickson 38; 

Tom Clark 3/21