Atkins takes maiden first-class five-fer after Malan scores 199

Dawid Malan’s fabulous 199 put Yorkshire on course for a crucial LV= Insurance County Championship victory over Sussex at Emerald Headingley.

England’s Malan proved his worth as far more than a T20 specialist as the White Rose responded strongly to Sussex’s first-innings 313 on a true pitch.

They were bowled out for 558 after tea on day three, a lead of 245, before Sussex closed on 38 without loss from 23 overs in their second innings.

Malan was bowled by Irish off-spinner Jack Carson one run short of becoming Yorkshire’s first player to post double hundreds in two consecutive first-class innings having scored 219 in the Bob Willis Trophy last August.

Yorkshire started the day on 292 for two, trailing by 41, and they lost two wickets in each of the first two sessions and four after tea on the way to their highest total in five years.

Malan and Gary Ballance added only three to their overnight 177 third-wicket partnership - the latter caught behind off Jack Carson’s off-spin for 77.

Gary Ballance is the eighth England Test cricketer @_jackcarson11 has dismissed in his short career so far! 👏

Can anybody name the other seven? 👀 pic.twitter.com/4fkug6QDYi

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) June 5, 2021

Malan and Harry Brook then shared a high tempo 99, including 49 for Brook before he was caught behind down leg off the impressive seam of Jamie Atkins, who finished with a career best five for 98 from 26 overs.

That left Yorkshire at 374 for four, a lead of 161.

Dom Bess fell to Stuart Meaker shortly after lunch and Malan, having hit 22 fours and two sixes in 289 balls, fell for 199 for the second time in his career when Carson uprooted his off stump - 459 for six, a lead of 146.

The left-hander drove handsomely and deflected and guided serenely before being bowled by a turning delivery from highly rated Carson.

Nineteen-year-old wicketkeeper Harry Duke’s 54 - his second career fifty in his third Championship appearance - was supplemented by Jordan Thompson’s 42 as they took the home lead close to 250.

There was late cheer for Sussex seamer Atkins, also aged 19, as four of his wickets were taken on day three. 

What a moment for @JamieAtkins2005! ✨

A maiden first-class five-fer for the 19-year-old against Yorkshire today! 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/jNhdjGoryv

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) June 5, 2021

He claimed three of Yorkshire’s last four. He trapped Duke lbw, had Thompson caught at mid-off and bowled Ben Coad to wrap up the innings and begin Sussex’s bid for a draw.

A Yorkshire win would leave them four points behind Group Three leaders Lancashire following their defeat at Glamorgan.

But Sussex debutant Ali Orr and Tom Haines dug in impressively before close with 23 and 12 respectively.

After the close of play, Dawid Malan said: “Everything they told me about Headingley being green and seaming around hasn’t happened, thankfully. The wicket played slow, and it was nice to cash in.

“It’s the first time they’ve seen the sun up here. It’s a totally different game here when it’s not cloudy.

“There’s hardly been any movement. Hopefully it breaks up a bit tomorrow and Dom (Bess) can show what a quality spinner he is and put us in a position to win the game.

“It’s not turning by any imagination, but for him to come here and have to work batsmen out and find a way to win a game, it’s a fantastic situation for him to be in.”

Jamie Atkins added: "It was great to be out with the boys all day. I thought we stuck at it really well, and I was delighted to pick up five at the end.

“When Malan was past a hundred, it was almost like, ‘Where do I bowl to him?’ 

“We were trying to get him off strike for large parts of their innings. He’s a top quality batsman, and it’s a privilege to bowl to someone like him and Gary Ballance, players you grew up watching on TV.

“Tom and Ali were brilliant. It just takes so much pressure off everyone else that they’re still at the crease.” 

Listen to Jamie's full interview with BBC Sussex Sport's Adrian Harms here: 

Watch highlights of day three vs. Yorkshire here: