Sussex vs Hampshire | Pre-Season Friendly: Match Report (Day Two)

And that's a wrap for pre-season. It's been an extended calendar this year, and it's swivelled the spotlight on pretty much the Sussex squad in its entirety. It's been a good workout, though, with trips to Hampshire and Kent followed by hostings of Surrey and Hampshire. An abundance of cricket already, and we're not even into April. There's been a string of impressive performances in this time. Tom Clark was outstanding again here.

Within a matter of minutes he had raced to his 50. Swiftly swiping Brad Wheal for three boundaries in his first over of the day, he'd be yet to reach the crescendo as he worked his way to a majestic century. He'd partnered Daniel Hughes towards the close yesterday, and both looked in fine touch. The pair added an extra 51 runs before Hughes holed out to Sonny Baker for 70 off Liam Dawson's first ball of his spell. It was a shot in anger, but one that would see him return to the pavilion with George Thomas taking his spot at the crease. 

Thomas would last 11 balls, 10 of which were dots. The other? A mighty six towards the scoreboard. Dan Ibrahim and Oli Carter chipped in, but Clark was still there, caressing the ball around Hove. Having recorded half of his side's runs with the score nudged over the 200-mark, Clark retired with his head and bat held high. Then Zach Lion-Cachet and young Freddie Wallis joined the fray - the latter a young academy talent who looked a genuine talent throughout his time at the middle. The same can be said for Lion-Cachet, who displayed his full arsenal of shots here. 

Against a strong bowling attack, too. Both batters looked slick and shiny, Lion-Cachet bringing up his half-century courtesy of two huge blows to cow corner. Archie Lenham and Bertie Foreman would be up next as those before him retired back to the pavilion. The spinners turned batters looked assured as Sussex finished their 90 overs with 324 on the board for the loss of five wickets, and three retirees.

So, the bowlers. They'd found tough work of it the previous day, indeed everyone with the ball in hand was forced to toil away. Former Sussex captain Ben Brown joined Liam Dawson at the middle, and they raced to 56-0 before both retired, presenting Fletcha Middleton and James Fuller a second opportunity with the bat. Come the close, which arrived five minutes to five, Hampshire were 118/0. The runs have been flowing at Hove, but it's at Edgbaston in less than a week where the next test lies: the commencement of the fresh County Championship season.