Career-best figures for Ollie Robinson as victory over Leicestershire secured

Photos: John Mallett & Sid Lawrence

Sussex moved into second place in division two after a ruthless 274-runs win over Leicestershire at The 1st Central County Ground.

Fast bowler Ollie Robinson took the first five wickets to fall as Leicestershire, chasing 451 to win, were bowled out for 176.

Sussex have now won five of their last six games in the Specsavers County Championship and, on this evidence, look capable of filling one of the two promotion places and returning to the top flight after an absence of three years.

Robinson, who signed a new contract yesterday, finished with career-best match figures of 10 for 67 while the excellent Jofra Archer picked up 3 for 44 from 20 overs as Leicestershire folded after tea, losing their last seven wickets for 55 as they were condemned to a third straight defeat.

Robinson started his spree when he had Paul Horton leg before half-forward for ten. Two balls later Harry Dearden (21) was caught behind off an inside edge and before lunch Mark Cosgrove (5) lost his off stump, pinned on the crease by the effervescent Robinson.

There was some resistance by Colin Ackerman, whose 52 was the only half-century by a Leicestershire batsman in the match. He put on 59 either side of tea with Neil Dexter for the fourth wicket but when Robinson returned for his second spell he found late movement to trap Ackerman leg before deep in his crease after the South African hit nine fours in 101 balls faced. Robinson struck again two balls later when he plucked out Ned Eckersley’s off stump.

There was no way back for the Foxes from 121 for 5. Archer had bowled superbly without luck but was finally rewarded when Dexter’s obdurate vigil ended on 30 with a thin nick to a ball which left him off the pitch at pace.

Ben Raine (22) hit out once too often and was taken at mid-on to give left-arm spinner Danny Briggs a wicket before Archer picked up two of the last three wickets. Ben Mike (4) was well held by the diving Harry Finch at second slip and Dieter Klein yorked in the same over for a duck. David Wiese finished things off when he bowled Mohammad Abbas for four with 16 overs of the third day to be bowled.

Earlier, Chris Jordan had scored his second half-century of the match before Sussex were bowled out for 210 in their second innings.

Sussex were 103 for 7 after the early loss of Ben Brown (10) but Jordan and Archer put on 70 for the eighth wicket before young seamer Mike swept away Sussex’s tail.

The 20-year-old took the last three wickets to fall including Jordan, who was bowled for 54, to finish with 5 for 37 and match figures of 8 for 110 on his debut.

Speaking at the close, victorious captain, Ben Brown said: "I'm really delighted. There are still areas where we can improve but we bowled fantastically. We slammed the wicket, were patient when we had to be and it's a great position for me as captain when our two new-ball bowlers Robinson and Archer are bowling so well and our change bowlers are on song as well. 

"I'm really pleased for Ollie Robinson. He was arguably the difference between the sides in this game but Jofra bowled really well too, he could easily have picked up five wickets. The bowling unit are putting in a great shift.

"It's been a fantastic season so far with a lot to play for. Lots of good things are happening and we want that to continue all the way until the end of the season. We're in the hunt for two trophies and we've just got to keep going."