Bowlers work hard on day one of Hampshire friendly

Sussex’s bowlers added another 90 overs to their legs on Thursday as pre-season preparations continued with the first day of a two-day friendly against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

Wickets proved harder to come by than they had against Surrey two days earlier, with the hosts scoring 352 for 8 and retiring three batsmen in the process.

On a day when Ben Brown utilised ten bowlers in all, it was Ollie Robinson and George Garton who shared the new ball.

Garton separated Hampshire’s opening pair of Joe Weatherley and Ian Holland in the eighth over of the morning when Weatherley drove at a delivery angled across him and edged behind to Brown.

An early breakthrough 🔥@George_Garton has Joe Weatherley well caught by @Ben_Brown26 for four. [21-1] #gosbts pic.twitter.com/XySLGb812R

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 1, 2021

That brought Tom Alsop to the middle and he and Holland combined for the biggest stand of the day.

It wasn’t until 15 overs after lunch that their 130-run partnership was ended by Henry Crocombe who had Alsop leg before for 69. Holland retired on 65 at the same time, to leave the scoreboard reading 151 for 3.

.@henry_crocombe's first of the match! 🎯

Tom Alsop's trapped LBW for 69, before Ian Holland retired unbeaten on 65. [151-3] #gosbts pic.twitter.com/eKhT5sJEOL

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 1, 2021

James Vince and Liam Dawson were able to score relatively freely in the period before tea, adding 74 runs in 16 overs. Vince was particularly fluent in making 55 in 56 balls before retiring at the break.

Stuart Meaker hit his straps in a short, sharp spell during the evening session, picking up two wickets. Two short of a half-century, Dawson was cramped for room by a well-directed short delivery and offered a simple catch to Tom Clark at mid-wicket, before Scott Currie was trapped in front four overs later.

Two quick wickets for @SMeaker18 🙌

After having Liam Dawson caught for 48, the fast bowler dismisses Scott Currie LBW for six. [301-6] pic.twitter.com/Kdbbha4IeE

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 1, 2021

Lewis McManus became the fourth Hampshire batsman to pass fifty and then retire, before Robinson took an excellent slip catch off Jack Carson to dismiss Mason Crane just before the close.

Kyle Abbott finished the day’s play with some big hits down the ground to complete a dominant batting display. Sussex will hope to emulate their hosts when they have 90 overs to bat on Friday.