Mohammad Rizwan and Cheteshwar Pujara combined for a 154-run stand as Sussex put up a first-innings total of 538 in their County Championship clash with Durham.

Pakistan keeper Rizwan joined India’s Pujara at the crease late on Friday after the latter had already reached three figures in his third match for the club. The pair added 12 runs together until the close of play, with Pujara finishing day two unbeaten on 128.

On day three, the two overseas signings refused to relent, lifting Sussex past the 500-mark with a 275-ball partnership. While Pujara closed in on a double century, Rizwan celebrated his first half-century in county cricket, having scored just 26 runs in his first three innings for Sussex.

Rizwan was eventually dismissed for 79, with his 145-ball innings including seven fours. Pujara, on the other hand, went on to bring up 200 for the second time in three matches. The 34-year-old was eventually dismissed for 203, with his average in Division Two this year sitting at an astronomical 132.75.

Pujara’s 334-ball innings included 24 boundaries, with his knock helping Sussex to a 315-run first-innings lead.

Pujara & Rizwan go to work 😍#CountyCricket2022pic.twitter.com/jLOd9OXDS0

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 30, 2022