Sussex vs Gloucestershire: Day 1 match report

Day one of Sussex's LV= Insurance County Championship match against Gloucestershire has been brought to an end by the weather with only 16 overs bowled.

Sussex had reached 47 for one when the drizzle started. As forecast, it turned into heavier rain by early afternoon and further saturated an outfield, which was soft at the outset.

Umpires Billy Taylor and Mark Newell took the decision to abandon play for the day at 3.15pm, by which time there was casual water on several areas and seagulls wading on the covers.

What action there was saw Marchant de Lange strike an early blow after Gloucestershire had won the toss, Sussex opener Tom Haines (3) being snapped up at gully by Miles Hammond.

Tom Price, fresh from a maiden century and a hat-trick on the same day at Worcester, was not at his best, conceding 19 from his initial three-over spell, including a six from Ali Orr.

De Lange was more accurate and ended his opening stint from the Pavilion End with figures of one for five from five overs, including three maidens.

Orr had hit Price for another boundary off a no-ball and greeted the seamer’s switch of ends with a superb driven four through extra cover.

Ajeet Dale was the third Gloucestershire bowler used and he sent down five tidy overs for ten runs, having replaced Price at the Ashley Down Road End.

The floodlights were already on when play ceased at 12.05pm and, although the rain was light to start with, ground staff aware of the forecast for an afternoon deluge quickly brought on the heavy covers.

Orr was unbeaten on 31, having looked in good touch, while Tom Alsop was 11 not out.

Report provided by ECB Reporter's Network