Sussex vs Hampshire: Day Two

Sussex’s bowlers impressed on day two of their final pre-season friendly against Hampshire, which ended in a draw. 

Ari Karvelas struck twice in his second over to reduce Hampshire to 9-2.

When Sean Hunt picked up both James Vince and Ben Brown in the 18th over, Hampshire were under pressure at 48-5. 

But a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket helped Hampshire to 150-8 at the close.  

The home side had earlier reached 163-6 in their first innings – Oli Carter top-scoring with 35.

No play was possible on day one due to rain, and so it was agreed that each side would bat for a maximum of 45 overs with Sussex getting first use of the Hove pitch. 

Sussex got off to a difficult start when Tom Clark, the centurion against Surrey earlier in the week, edged the third ball of the day to Liam Dawson at second slip off the bowling of former South African international Kyle Abbott. 

Tom Alsop and Tom Haines had started to rebuild for Sussex before the fluent Haines (26) lost his off stump in the tenth over courtesy of a Brad Wheal beauty.

Alsop brought up the 50 for Sussex in the 15th over hitting consecutive boundaries off Hampshire youngster Eddie Jack. 

However, he was out for 31 shortly after, chipping one to Nick Gubbins at mid-wicket off the bowling of Dawson with Sussex 75-3. 

The 100 for Sussex was brought up in the 27th over, Oli Carter playing Dom Kelly out to the cover boundary for a single. 

But Carter was out in the next, top edging a sweep off Dawson to Jack, who took an easy catch.

Dawson had his third when he trapped James Coles in front for 21 with the score on 125 in the 34th over. 

That brought Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Sussex’s leading run scorer in the County Championship last season, to the crease to join John Simpson who looked busy before he was caught and bowled by Dawson for 18. 

Hudson-Prentice (25) and Danial Ibrahim (2) negotiated the final five overs of the innings, putting on 25 for the seventh wicket with Sussex finishing on 163-6. 

England seamer Ollie Robinson thought he had Ali Orr out in the first over of the second innings, but the nick bounced just in front of second slip. 

The former Sussex batter didn’t last much longer, however, being caught behind by Simpson off the bowling of Karvelas for just two. 

Two balls later Karvelas had his second. This time finding the edge of Hampshire captain Gubbins (0) to give Simpson another simple catch. 

Simpson had his third victim in the ninth over after Fletcha Middleton was out to Robinson for four, leaving Hampshire reeling three wickets down with just 15 on the board.

Vince then decided counterattacking was his best option, taking Karvelas for four fours in the tenth over.

Vince and Brown put on 32 for the fourth wicket before Vince edged Hunt to Clark at second slip – having made 30. 

Brown (7) fell in the same over, pulling a short delivery to the waiting Henry Crocombe at mid-wicket, with Hampshire struggling at 48-5 in the 18th over. 

Hampshire recovered well through Dawson and Tom Prest, reaching 125 before Sussex finally broke the partnership. Dawson (49) gifted a catch to Carter at cover off the bowling of Coles.

Abbott was the next man out in the 38th over, after being hit on the pad in front of middle by Coles. 

Prest (36) then chipped tamely to Crocombe at mid-off to give the impressive Coles his third, leaving Hampshire 142-8. 

Toby Albert (7) and Joe Weatherley (2) ensured Hampshire ended the game eight down with Haines bowling the final over. 

Sussex begin their County Championship Division Two campaign against Northamptonshire on Friday (April 5) at The 1st Central County Ground.

 Report by Luke Ashbery

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