Jack Carson wickets leave match in balance after day two

England captain Joe Root made just five for the second time in the match as off-spinner Jack Carson led a Sussex fightback on the second day against Yorkshire in the LV = Insurance County Championship at The 1st Central County Ground.

Yorkshire had wiped out their first-innings deficit of 71 thanks to an opening stand of 90 between Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Adam Lyth, who made his fifth half-century in six innings. But 20-year-old  Carson, who took three for 35 from 20 overs, got Sussex back in contention with three wickets after tea.

Brilliant from @_jackcarson11! 🧙‍♂️✨

The 20-year-old takes his second of the innings to dismiss Joe Root for just five! 👏 pic.twitter.com/5umfKpxqfq

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 23, 2021

He had Kohler-Cadmore (21) stumped before Root got a feint edge to wicketkeeper Ben Brown as he pushed forward. Carson picked up his third wicket just before the close when Jonny Tattersall (8) was smartly taken at slip by George Garton.

With Ollie Robinson pinning Lyth lbw for 66 and Garton having Harry Brook (17) caught behind, it needed a grafting unbeaten 36 from Gary Ballance to hold things together for Yorkshire, who were 163 for five at stumps, a lead of 92.

They had dominated the first two sessions, even though Sussex didn’t lose their fourth wicket until an hour into the day when Tom Clark (33), who had added 62 with Tom Haines, lost his off stump to Duanne Olivier. From 166 for four Sussex declined to 221 with Olivier and skipper Steve Patterson each picking up four wickets.

In the next over Haines, who was in sight of his second hundred of the season, was bowled for 86, which included nine fours, as he tried to cut Dom Bess. It had taken the England off-spinner 18 overs to claim his first wicket of the summer but Bess bowled tidily enough and with the pitch taking spin he could have a bigger role to play in Sussex’s run chase.

Sussex captain Brown counter-attacked effectively with eight boundaries in his 37 off 30 balls and he was very surprised to be given out lbw to Patterson off a clear inside edge. Robinson lost his off stump to the next ball and after lunch Patterson removed Carson and Garton, courtesy of a stunning one-handed slip catch by Kohler-Cadmore, as he finished with four for 26. Olivier had figures of four for 61.

Lyth and Kohler-Cadmore looked comfortable when they began Yorkshire’s second innings and Sussex were hampered by the absence of left-armer Scott Hunt, who will not bowl again in the match because of a side strain.

Carson expressed his delight at the biggest wicket of his short career to date, "Getting Joe Root out is obviously a great feeling. Before the game our coach Ian Salisbury said the great players nick 'em and county players miss 'em and that's what happened. I couldn't really contain my excitement, it was a great feeling.

Brilliant from @_jackcarson11! 🧙‍♂️✨

The 20-year-old takes his second of the innings to dismiss Joe Root for just five! 👏 pic.twitter.com/5umfKpxqfq

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 23, 2021

"We did well after tea. We kept bashing away at the top of the off stump and kept the energy up in the field and wickets have tended to come in clusters in this game. The wicket is quite dry and there's a little bit of spin but it's still a good batting pitch. We should be able to chase on that.

"I know I have the backing to go out there and do my best from Sals. I can't thank him enough, as a coach and human being he's been amazing. He's made a massive impact on my career so far."

Lyth reflected on his superb start to the season and the state of the match, "It’s been a lovely start to the season, personally and I’m really happy with the way it’s going. I’d like a couple more big scores. I was disappointed I didn’t go on and get a big one from that 97 at Kent last week, and here I’m disappointed I haven’t gone on and got a hundred. 

“But I am pleased with the way I’m playing. Hopefully that can continue. It’s still a pretty good wicket, but it’s taking spin now. It’s the type of wicket where nothing happens for 25 or 30 overs and then you lose a cluster. There were a couple of bad shots tonight and we thought one bad decision for Rooty. We have some hard work to do in the morning, but I think anything over 200 would be a tricky chase. But we have a world-class performer in Gary Ballance and we bat really deep."

Watch highlights of day two here: