Finch and Brown impress on day one of friendly vs. Hampshire

Harry Finch and Ben Brown impressed on day one of Sussex's warm-up match against Hampshire, before torrential rain saw play abandoned late in the afternoon. 

In the first match hosted at The 1st Central County Ground in 2020, the toss was uncontested and Jason Gillespie's side batted first under heavy skies and in windy conditions. 

Luke Wells and Tom Haines opened for the home side, but the latter, who scored a century in an intra-club match last week, was dismissed by James Fuller for nought. 

Finch joined Wells in the middle and the pair battled well in difficult conditions, but Wells' resistance was broken when Keith Barker had the opener caught behind by Lewis McManus for 15 off 38 balls. 

Hampshire's early onslaught with the ball continued when Delray Rawlins was caught in the covers for two by visiting captain, Sam Northeast, but Ben Brown then arrived at the crease and steadied the ship alongside Finch. 

Brown, who was Sussex's second top-scorer in last year's County Championship, looked like he had never been away when he hit a four through the covers off the first ball he faced, while Finch had weathered what looked to be an early storm to bat with increasing confidence. 

The duo soon put together a fifty partnership, and recovered their side to 102-3 at lunch. Sadly, as soon as the players stepped off the field, the heavens opened, and play will now resume on Tuesday morning at 11am with Finch unbeaten on 43 and captain Brown not out on 37. 

A full scorecard and clips can be found via the club's new and improved match day centre. 

Despite the afternoon's wet weather, Gillespie, who arrived in England on Saturday from Adelaide, was encouraged with what he saw during the morning session. Our head coach spoke to BBC Sussex's Adrian Harms here: 

Highlights of day one vs. Hampshire can be watched here: