Rain interrupts majority of day 3

Persistent rain meant only one session of cricket could be played on day 3 of our LV= Insurance County Championship game against Worcestershire at The 1st Central County Ground.

Worcestershire opener Jake Libby made a career-best 215 to give Worcestershire a chance of victory, with Sussex needing to bat out the entire day tomorrow to take a draw.

Libby’s maiden double century came in a total of 438 for five before Worcestershire declared with a lead of 218 on day three at The 1st Central County Ground, having banked maximum bonus points.

Play didn’t start at Hove until 4.10pm because of rain and 84 overs have been lost in the match so far but Worcestershire quickly made up for lost time, Libby leading the charge as they made 149 in 20 overs before the declaration.

Sussex were left with ten overs to negotiate, and they lost skipper Tom Haines for 13 in the penultimate over They closed on 39 for one, still 179 behind.

Sussex had taken the new ball when play eventually began after heavy rain but it was soon being dispatched to all parts by Libby and Jack Haynes.

Skipper Brett D’Oliveira kept up the momentum when he joined Libby, with the pair scoring at more than seven runs an over.

Libby was eventually dismissed by Coles shaping to cut, having faced 294 balls, hit 25 fours and a six in a highly impressive innings spanning six hours, 38 minutes spread over three days.

The declaration came when Ashraf had D’Oliveira, whose 43 off 38 balls included two sixes, was caught behind for 43.

Ali Orr, who played well in what looked to be a tricky final 10 overs of the evening, remains at the crease with nightwatchman Brad Currie, with Sussex needing to bat for as long as possible tomorrow to save the draw.