Irfan Pathan [Images] made a promising start to his first county appearance, scoring a crafty 41 and then taking two quick wickets for Middlesex in the four-day match against Sussex at Hove on Thursday.

The Indian pacer, who signed with Middlesex as a replacement for the injured South African paceman Nanty Haywards, came in to bat with his team on 290 for 7 and built partnerships of 33 and 45 runs respectively with P N Weeks (55) and M M Betts (36 not out) to take the total to 401 in their first innings.

The left arm paceman then claimed two for 21 to leave Sussex struggling at 41 for three at lunch on the second day.