Wickets for Burrows and Stewart on Debut

George Burrows and Grant Stewart both took wickets as they made their debuts for Sussex, with captain Tom Haines following up on his double century last week with three wickets on day one of our LV= Insurance County Championship match against Worcestershire.

The momentum of the game swung back and forth throughout the day, with Worcestershire closing on 338-5 to leave the game in the balance going into day two.

Brett D’Oliveira struck his second century in two games since becoming Worcestershire CCC Club Captain, finishing the day on 106 not out.

Opener Ed Pollock’s rapid 77 got the innings off to a flying start and then D’Oliveira and Ed Barnard, who made 75, pressed home towards the end of the day during a fifth wicket partnership of 166.

Sussex stuck to their task on a wicket which was not straightforward for batting with some movement all day and can certainly be pleased from all of those that contributed with the ball and in the field.

Sussex were decimated by injuries and handed a debut to all-rounder, Grant Stewart, and pace bowler, George Burrows.

Stewart, 28, has made the temporary switch from Kent and has played six T20Is for Italy while Burrows, 23, has moved to Hove on a short-term contract.

D’Oliveira, opted to bat on winning the toss and New Road looked a picture in warm sunshine with a sizeable crowd watching cricket at the ground in April for the first time in three years.

The ground looked in immaculate condition just seven weeks after being under several feet of water via the flooding of the adjacent River Severn.

Pollock had scored a superb century in the second innings versus Leicestershire, his first ever County Championship appearance, and he again looked in excellent form when opening with Jake Libby.

He had a slice of good fortune on 36 when he aimed a big hit against Stewart and the ball was helped over the boundary for six by Burrows fielding at fine leg. 

But Pollock continued to play with great freedom and brought up a half century off only 47 balls.

Libby played a solid support role during an opening stand of 85 but then was the first of three wickets to fall in four overs.

He nibbled at a delivery from Sussex captain Tom Haines and Tom Alsop clung onto a low sharp chance at slip.

Haines struck again when Pollock on 77 forced a delivery off the back foot and was caught at backward point. He faced just 74 deliveries and hit one six and 14 fours.

Jack Haynes flicked a delivery from Burrows off his legs into the hands of square leg.

After making 20, Azhar was lbw to a delivery angled back into him by Haines at 133-4.

There was a sign of normality returning to the world after the pandemic with the renowned tea and homemade cakes in the Ladies Pavilion being served.

After tea the second new ball brought about a breakthrough when Barnard was lbw to Stewart for 75.

D’Oliveira was made to work hard for his runs in the 90s but a single off Crocombe took him to three figures off 216 balls with 11 boundaries. Haines ended with figures of 17-3-46-3.

Both sides will be happy with their performances, but Sussex will be looking to take the remaining 5 wickets as early as possible to take advantage of the good work they put in today.