Sussex vs Yorkshire: D40 Match report

Sussex welcomed Yorkshire to Ansty CC this week looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Surrey in the previous round of fixtures. Yorkshire won the toss on a beautiful day, and chose to have a bat under bright, sunny skies.

Sussex started well, despite some aggressive batting from Yorkshire, and picked up two early wickets – one apiece for openers Dan Gee and Alfie Pyle.

Spin was introduced to the attack with good effect, Jake Vosloo again the pick of the bowling in causing real problems for Yorkshire. He was ably backed up by Josh Dixon & skipper James Bunday.

However, Yorkshire kept the scoreboard moving well, and despite a few early scares, Cameron Sweeney survived to bludgeon an impressive 95 before falling to Pyle. Sussex cleaned up the rest of the tail to close the innings with Yorkshire making 190.

Sussex were determined to right the wrongs of their previous batting performance and started positively.

Owen Piper took on the Yorkshire attack in typically aggressive fashion, while fellow opener Scott Ridge set about building an innings in a supporting role.

Piper eventually fell for a well-made 32. Pyle & Ridge then built a solid partnership of their own before a fantastic caught & bowled saw Pyle fall.

James Dallaway was swiftly dismissed by a good low catch at point, requiring Bunday to come in to try and steady the ship.

Ridge had batted well in trying to guide the team home but was eventually bowled on 31.  Dan Gee picked out a fielder at deep midwicket shortly afterwards to leave Sussex in familiar territory.

Bunday & Megan Loveland tried to move the score along but with the required run rate starting to climb, Loveland was caught behind.

Bunday & Vosloo combined well for a period, but Bunday was caught at mid-on. Vosloo continued to bat very nicely and worked hard with Sam Webster initially, and Declan Dexter latterly, to keep Sussex in the hunt.

It came down to the last over with Sussex requiring 16 off the final 6 balls. Dexter gave the watching team and spectators hope by hammering an early 6 into the trees but Sussex fell agonisingly short by just 2 runs at the end of their 40 overs.

Sussex showed signs of improvement with the bat and can again take heart from a good bowling performance.

A few key moments going the other way would have seen Sussex chasing a much lower target, but ultimately decision-making and shot selection with the bat cost them a game that they really should have won.

Sussex D40 vs Middlesex D40 at The 1st Central County Ground

After making history last year by becoming the first D40 team to play a disability fixture at a first-class venue, the Sussex D40 side return once again on Sunday 18th June when they take on Middlesex D40 at The 1st Central County Ground.

The action gets underway at 1:00pm and entry is once again free of charge.

To reserve your tickets now click here.