Northants build lead after Sussex dismissed cheaply on day one

Ollie Robinson's all-round performance was the high point of a difficult day for Sussex in their LV= County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. He top-scored with 49 not out as Sussex were skittled for 106 and took four wickets as Northamptonshire reached the close on 214 for 4.

After Northants won the toss and chose to field, veteran seamers Ben Sanderson, 32,  and Gareth Berg both returned five-wicket hauls, 5 for 28 and 5 for 18 respectively. The visitors’ pain could have been worse having been 25 for seven had it not been for England Test hopeful Robinson’s innings.

Robinson then claimed 4 for 31 but Northants built a healthy lead of 108 thanks to Rob Keogh’s 66 and Saif Zaib’s 66 not out.

The start of play was delayed by half an hour due to rain, but Northants made up for lost time in favourable conditions. Tom Haines prodded to first slip for a golden duck, with the fifth ball of the innings. He was quickly followed by Aaron Thomason and the bowled Stiaan van Zyl.

Berg produced an almost unplayable ball angled across debutant Travis Head to nick behind before Ben Brown was lbw three balls later. Tom Clark was pinned by Sanderson while Delray Rawlins’ attempt to counterattack ended with the ball landing in first slip’s lap and a duck.

While the pitch offered significant nip for the quick bowlers, largely the quality of bowling from the experienced pair rather than reckless batting could be accounted for the slump – although none of the top seven reaching double figures.

Robinson, who was dropped thrice, and Stuart Meaker provided a rear-guard 56-run stand for the eighth wicket. But Berg returned after lunch to find Meaker edging behind before completing the sixth five-for of his first-class career when he castled Jack Carson.

Sanderson collected his five-for when debutant Joe Sarro poked to Berg at fourth slip to end Sussex’s innings. Northants’ reply started slowly as Ben Curran was leg before to Robinson second ball and 19-year-old Sarro had Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw with the fifth delivery of his first-class career.

The first of many... 🤞

Joe Sarro's maiden first-class wicket with just his fifth delivery in professional cricket! 💥 pic.twitter.com/9iEa8RObGw

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 6, 2021

But Charlie Thurston showed a carefree blueprint with his 24 from 25 balls, before edging to first slip, which pointed Keogh in the direction of his 22nd career half-century. He reached the milestone in 64-balls with three successive boundaries off spinner Carson.

Luke Procter was bowled by Robinson, but Keogh and Saif Zaib teamed up for an 88-run stand to steam into a first-innings lead – with the run-rate never dipping below four an over. ​​​​

LBW, caught, bowled! 🎯

Three of the best from @OllieRobinson25! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dICx6bzXHH

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 6, 2021

Keogh departed caught at second slip after a lengthy discussion between the umpires but Zaib, who reached an 83-ball fifty, and Adam Rossington added a further 66 before close.

Northants' Ben Sanderson, on the back of his 5 for 28, said, "It was the perfect day, and we could have still been a few more runs ahead if we had caught all our catches. That partnership between Rob and Saif has really set things up for us and put us in a strong position ahead of tomorrow. 

"It was seaming about this morning but as the day went on it seemed to get better with the older ball and a bit of sun and wind. It has been frustrating so far this season beating the edge a lot but it all happens quickly when it starts. Same with Bergy, who has bowled really well all season, so for him to get his just deserves with a five-for is just brilliant.

“It wasn’t feeling right in my action in the first couple of games but I worked on my action with Chris Liddle and that has kickstarted me to find my rhythm. Now I can bowl more overs and effectively. To find that click and rhythm will allow me to kick on.”

Joe Sarro told BBC Sussex Sport's Adrian Harms it was a "dream come true" to make his debut for the club. Listen to the full interview here:

Watch highlights of day one vs. Northants here: