Dan Ibrahim & Ali Orr fifties give Sussex commanding lead going into final day

Dan Ibrahim gave another demonstration of his outstanding promise with an unbeaten half century for Sussex on day three of the LV=Insurance County Championship encounter with Worcestershire at New Road.

Ibrahim celebrated his call-up into the England Under-19 squad for the forthcoming ODIs against the West Indies by making 56 not out to steer Sussex into a strong position.

He had become the youngest ever player to score a half century in the County Championship against Yorkshire at Emirates Headingley in June at 16 years and 299 days. Today he followed up his first innings 48 and 2-9 in nine overs in Worcestershire’s first innings with another accomplished knock.

His efforts, coupled with a second half century of the game from Ali Orr, enabled Sussex to reach 199-6 in their second innings – an overall lead of 250 – despite three wickets apiece for Joe Leach and Josh Baker.

🗣️ Hey, Siri, show me video of a man in form... pic.twitter.com/VyHvUTt77a

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) September 1, 2021

Worcestershire resumed on 186-7 and the last three wickets fell for 27 runs in the space of 9.3 overs to earn Sussex a first innings lead of 51.

Paceman Henry Crocombe dismissed Leach, 18, and Baker, 5, with successive deliveries – lbw and caught behind – while Fynn Hudson-Prentice held onto a return catch from Dillon Pennington 6.

The three wickets to wrap up Worcestershire's innings this morning 👏@henry_crocombe x 2@fynnhudson33 pic.twitter.com/EirLpnpg06

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) September 1, 2021

The clatter of early morning wickets continued during a devastating opening burst from Leach which reduced Sussex to 3-3.

Sussex captain Tom Haines, 2, tried to work a delivery to leg and was caught off a leading edge by Tom Fell at first slip. New batsman Harrison Ward, 0, went leg before to his first delivery from Leach and James Coles, 1, departed in the same manner.

The fourth wicket pair of Orr and Ollie Carter flourished after lunch and the former completed his second half century of the game from 96 balls with seven fours and a six.

They added 84 before spinner Baker broke the stand with an excellent return catch – one handed away to his right – to dismiss Carter, 20.

Baker then picked up the key wicket of Orr, 57, who checked his shot and presented the spinner with a far more straightforward caught and bowled at 98-5.

But a second substantial partnership of the innings was put together by Ibrahim and Hudson-Prentice. Their stand was worth 87 in 28 overs before Hudson-Prentice, 46, gave Baker the charge and was stumped by Ben Cox.

Ibrahim had time to complete his fifty off 120 balls with six fours before bad light ended proceedings at 5.30pm. Speaking at the close, he said: 

“I’m very pleased to get selected for the Under-19s. I’ve done a lot of hard work over the years and it is nice for it to pay off.  It is a good feeling and it was then nice to get a half century today.

“But I think Ali (Orr) and Ollie (Carter) took a lot of sting out of the game, they soaked up the pressure really well and allowed me and Fynn (Hudson-Prentice) to bat how we wanted to bat.

“We just played our own game and had a good little partnership. I think we’ve got a good chance. We are the team on top and have got to come out tomorrow and play how we play and hopefully bowl them out tomorrow. We’ve got a good attack and will definitely be up for it.”

Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker, who picked up three wickets, said: “I think that is my most satisfying performance in red ball cricket. I didn’t go for many runs and I picked up a few wickets so it was really good. I’m trying to vary my pace and trying to change it up so the batsmen can’t really get hold of me.

“We spoke on Sunday about being really positive and trying to win the group so whatever score, we will try and chase down. The average age of the Sussex side is 19 and it’s really good for county cricket and cricket in general that young players are being given the opportunity.Archie Lenham, James Coles and Jack Carson look really threatening so it will be difficult tomorrow so hopefully our batters can do the job.”