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

Day two, and another fine one it was on the Sussex coastline, until it wasn't. Azure blue skies dominated above as the host’s batters glistened below. Tom Haines and Oli Carter picked up from where they left off a day prior, and James Coles was imperious towards the end of his side’s turn with the bat. Then the fog rolled in and this one was called early, but not without a strong Sussex showing against Surrey.

The proper stuff is almost here – just over a week until Paul Farbrace’s side journey to the midlands for their first taste of Division One cricket in 10 years. If the past two days are anything to go by, Sussex will be at home in the division above. And they’ve still got Jayden Seales to return and further bolster the seam attack.

But with the bat is where Sussex have looked strongest thus far. Pre-season may not quite possess the pomp or weight of the County Championship, yet this was a good test against a fierce bowling attack. Yesterday spotlighted the supreme qualities Tom Haines possesses: the patience mixed with the power. His repertoire of shots is supreme, and one can perhaps hear the distant door of Brendon McCullum being knocked just a little louder. But this was the morning of Carter, and what a fine innings it was.

After 225 minutes at the crease Carter was able to loft his bat high, reaching his ton before holing out to mid-off for 102. A knock of that class and charisma will do him as he prepares for a step up, and here he oozed brilliance. Haines was the first to go, though, bowled by Daniel Lawrence for 88 runs. That Sussex top order is in fine stead as April approaches.

Tom Clark made a useful 40 off almost as many deliveries, ultimately bowled by a Arafat Bhuiyan beauty. There was little the batter as the ball inexorably upended his off-stump. Matthew Fisher joined the bowling fray, swiftly dismissing John Simpson and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who both departed without scoring. 

But the score kept growing, chiefly through James Coles’ hard yet measured hitting. He’d be the lone Sussex batter to retire having slammed 56 from 54 balls, and the tally would climb to 389 at the declaration. Danny Lamb, Jack Carson and George Thomas all chipping in to prop the score near to the 400-mark – 29 runs greater than Surrey’s 360. Yousef Majid the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for an albeit expensive 76 runs from his 15 overs with the ball.

So, time for one more change. Not just on the field, for as soon as Dom Sibley and Ryan Patel headed down the steps the famous coastal fog billowed in from the south, enshrouding those in white on the luscious turf. A reality check for those in t-shirts, March is still very much here. But through the haze the opening pair were resolute. Both had fallen early yesterday, but they returned with a renewed adroitness. They are both excellent batters after all.

Shortly after 4pm the umpires flicked the bails off for bad light. What a contrast to the hour previous. That was to be it, as the thick fog continue to encase a now gloomy Hove. But after this short match there are positives to take as April 4 draws nearer, especially with the bat Sussex were strong here. Up against the best batting team in the country, the bowlers can take solace, too. And then we pause before a weekend of cricket at Hove as Hampshire shift along the coast before Edgbaston pulls closer. It simply can’t come soon enough.