Ben Brown's sublime form continues with another century on day two

Main image: David Griffin

Ben Brown scored another century for Sussex to keep his side in their game against Derbyshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship. It was his second in as many matches, his fourth of the season and the 22nd of his career and it led Sussex to a score of 255 for five at the end of the second day.  They still trail Derbyshire by 210 runs at The 1st Central County Ground.

Sussex, chasing 316 to avoid the follow-on, got off to the worst possible start against an impressive Derbyshire attack when  the normally adhesive Ali Orr was out first ball, caught behind by Brooke Guest.

Captain and star batsman Tom Haines was second out at 36, gloving a legside delivery from Dustin Melton to give Guest another catch. Danial Ibrahim made just one before he edged the formidable Ben Aitchson to Wayne Madsen at second slip.  And Aitchson struck again in his next over when he caught Harrison Ward bang in front of stumps for a duck.

At that stage Sussex were 46 for four and being outplayed by Derbyshire in the battle for the County Championship’s wooden spoon. But Brown and fellow wicketkeeper Oli Carter then put on 142 for the fifth wicket in 40 overs. Carter scored his maiden first-class fifty, though he was out shortly afterwards, caught on the square-leg boundary for 51, and Melton made it two wickets in five balls when he dismissed Delray Rawlins, caught and bowled for a duck off a leading edge. But Brown, who reached his hundred from 134 balls with 14 fours, went on to reach 150 not out.

Earlier, Derbyshire had resumed on 371 for five and they lost their sixth wicket to the third ball of the morning. Guest had not added to his 30 runs when he was lbw to the lively Jamie Atkins.

There followed a brisk seventh wicket partnership of 54 between Anuj Dal and Mattie McKiernan, who played a number of handsome strokes before he was caught behind to a delivery from Sean Hunt that surprised him with its bounce.

Ben Aitchison, driving, was caught by Brown at first slip and then Dustin Melton was well taken by Ibrahim at deep backward square-leg. Finally, Edwin Moulton gave Brown his second catch at first slip after it was parried by second slip. Both Atkins and Henry Crocombe finished with four wickets, with Crocombe's 4 for 92 a career best, as Derbyshire were bowled out for 465.

Could watch this catch on repeat all day. 🤩

Great hands, @Ben_Brown26. 👏#GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/J7gmAsgZu5

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) September 22, 2021

Sussex's unbeaten centurion, Ben Brown, summed up his performance at the close: "I feel good. I’ve felt good for a while, after the first few games. I’m enjoying my batting and this is a terrific wicket.  There was pace and bounce for the seamers but the batsmen can use that bounce and put away anything short.  I tried to help Oli Carter and I’m delighted for him, getting his first fifty. He was really calm under pressure.  I enjoy my wicketkeeping as well, so that will be a conversation at the end of the season."

Offering the visitors' perspective, Ben Aitchinson said: "It’s still pretty flat out there as you can see but a couple of quick wickets in the morning could change things very quickly. It would be good to have the option of sending them back in again or batting ourselves, and we have the new ball in the morning too.  The second new ball will be very important.  And as we saw today the pitch is getting more up and down, so there are definitely 14 more wickets in it for us.  It’s frustrating when the ball goes soft.  The cricket can get boring then.  But this ball has held its shape so there is some reverse swing out there."