Notts Put Pressure on Sussex Going Into Final Day

Day 3 of the opening County Championship match against Nottinghamshire proved to be a difficult one as the visitors gained momentum going into the final day’s play.

Notts captain Steven Mullaney, who was well supported by his lower order, turned the match against Sussex on its head on the third day at The 1st Central County Ground.

Mullaney, who had come to the wicket with Notts 52 for four in reply to Sussex’s 375, scored a career best 192 and figured in stands of 96 with Tom Moores, 69 with Liam Patterson-White and 144 with Joey Evison, whose unbeaten 109 was also a career highest.  

By scoring their runs at four an over Notts put pressure on a young Sussex side and when they eventually declared at 534 for nine, a lead of 159 after adding 320 in the day. Sussex were 29 for one at the close after losing skipper Tom Haines, caught at midwicket for 14.

After a difficult start to this game Notts finally showed why many have touted them to win promotion from the second division of the LV= Insurance County Championship, as they managed to turn what was arguable two days that belonged to Sussex, to their own advantage.

Steven Finn was the pick of the Sussex bowlers, on what proved to be a tough day in the field. The former England test bowler finished the day having taken 3 wickets from his 28 overs at an economy of 3.00.

All things considered, Finn was still upbeat and feeling positive going into the fourth day of the season opener: “Losing Tom Haines at the end wasn’t ideal.  He’s obviously one of our best players, our most consistent player.  But we’ve got plenty of capably guys ready to come in.  It’s a question of getting through that first hour and seeing where we’re at.

 “I really like the project they’ve got going on here.  They’ve got some exciting young players and the way Sussex spoke to me resonated with me and made me feel I wanted to be part of it. My desire is to play as much cricket as possible.  I haven’t played as much four-day cricket in recent years as I’d like to have done, and I feel I have a point to prove which keeps me motivated, both for the team and myself.”

Though it proved to be difficult bowling conditions, Sussex continued to work hard throughout the day and will be determined to bat for as long as possible tomorrow as the game comes to an end.