Luke Wright's century tops off another dominant pre-season performance

Luke Wright’s 110-ball century topped off an excellent team performance by Sussex as they finished their pre-season friendly against Kent as by far the dominant side.

Batting for 88 overs on day two, Sussex made 375 for seven on a pitch that a day earlier had seen their bowlers take thirteen Kent top-order wickets for 97 fewer runs.

That’s two strong performances against division one opposition in a week, something that can only bode well for the season ahead.

Four Sussex batsmen made half-centuries on another glorious spring day at The 1st Central Ground, meaning almost all the squad – whether batsman or bowler – have now made pre-season contributions whether on tour in Cape Town or back on the South Coast.

With a hint of overnight dew yet to burn away, the new-ball caused problems again, although Sussex’s top order, and in particular Luke Wells, proved more adept than their Kent counterparts at limiting the damage.

Phil Salt (16) and Tom Haines (26) got starts, the latter looking particularly organised when the ball was on or around off stump, but both were gone before the scoreboard had reached 50.

Stiaan van Zyl’s departure soon after left Sussex in danger of heading the same way as their opponents on day one, but Wells’ patient approach steadied the ship either side of lunch and allowed the new man on deck, Michael Burgess, to swashbuckle his way to a half-century.

🥊Punchy from @mgkburgess. He races to 21 from 14 balls in pugilistic fashion!

Sussex: 76-3 off 26 (Wells 6*, Burgess 21*), trail by 202 #gosbts pic.twitter.com/Re6NIgI4ZH

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 29, 2019

Timing the ball impeccably off both front and back foot, Burgess’ fifty came from just 56 balls and included nine boundaries.

The hundred partnership for the fourth wicket arrived four overs later with Wells beginning to free his arms and reap the rewards for his watchful start. He brought up his own half-century with a trademark cut to the point boundary off Callum Haggett.

👏@luke_wells07 follows suit! He brings up his 50 with a trademark cut. 120 balls, seven fours and one six. A proper innings!

Sussex: 167-3 off 46.5 (Wells 53*, Burgess 67*), trail by 111 #gosbts pic.twitter.com/u1nH661zzY

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) March 29, 2019

With the tea break approaching, Sussex’s serene progress was interrupted, however, when Burgess and Wells were dismissed within two balls of each other to make it 180 for five.

That brought Luke Wright and Ben Brown together. Brown raced ahead of his partner as he hit five of his first thirteen deliveries to the boundary, but the pair soon found an equilibrium.

Wright pipped his captain to a half-century, but only by three balls. Brown reached the milestone off 65 balls with seven fours, while Wright’s came off 56 balls and included six fours.

Soon after the pair notched up a hundred partnership, Brown called it a day, retiring on 62. Wright carried on, maintaining a brisk pace as he ran hard and latched onto anything off line or length.

David Wiese came and went for one, but Wright found solid support from Chris Jordan who was confident from the off and took a particular liking to the Kent spinners.

He had made 28 from 32 balls when his partner cut an Alex Blake long hop to the boundary to reach three figures. A single finished the over and the match, Sussex content with their day’s work.

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