Kent Spitfires vs Sussex Sharks | Doubleheader
Canterbury is the destination for both our Men's and Women's sides on Bank Holiday Monday as they take on Kent Spitfires in a Vitality Blast Doubleheader.
It was a mixed start for our Men and Women in Friday's Vitality Blast opener at Essex and Derbyshire respectively, with the former getting off to a scorching start at a sun-kissed Chelmsford. It was the perfect start to Paul Farbrace's side - a victory that saw the Sharks chase down the target of 192 with four overs to spare.
It was a fine showing with the bat, chiefly through James Coles and John Simpson, who both recorded half-centuries. Simpson's explosive total of 63 (23) featured a remarkable eight sixes, as the Sharks wiped away the two-point deduction at the earliest possibility.
Hours before this, it was Alexia Walker's Sharks Blast opener up in Derby. A tight affair, Sussex's struggles began early into the match having been reduced to 15-3 after 3.1 overs, yet Mollie Adams and Eve O'Neill fought hard to produce a competitive total of 114-8.
It wasn't to be enough, though, as the host's strong start saw the foundations laid for a win with five balls to spare. But it's swiftly onto Kent to see if they can put things right and earn that first win of the campaign.
Team News
Paul Farbrace has named a 15-player squad for the trip to Canterbury, with Oli Carter the lone addition to Friday's squad.
Men's Squad: Alsop, Briggs, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, Leaning, Mills (c), Simpson (wk), Ward
Meanwhile, Alexia Walker has picked a 13-player squad for her team's respective fixture at St Lawrence Ground, with Sophie Beck coming in for Anna Buckle, who suffered a dislocated thumb in the previous outing at Derbyshire
Women's Squad: Adams (wk), Beck, Clarke, Collis, Docherty, Gentry, Green (c), Johnson, Lewis, Mullins, O'Neill, Patil, Wilkinson
The Opposition | Kent Spitfires
It was an equally impressive start for the Spitfires on Friday at Lord's, who also recorded victory on the opening day of the tournament. Sam Billings batted beautifully, blasting 84 runs off a mere 37 deliveries to help hand Kent a total of 208-6 from their 20 overs. And they bowled well enough to seal a comfortable 27-run win in the end, with overseas quick Tom Rogers picking up four wickets.
South African all-rounder Dian Forrester travelled to the UK as soon as Chennai Super Kings’ involvement in the IPL finished this past Thursday, and will be pushing for a first appearance having been a spectator at Lord's. He is added to an an otherwise unchanged squad from the one that defeated Middlesex last time out, with loanee Jake Lintott debuting on Friday, and claiming two wickets.
Former Sussex off-spinning all-rounder, Bertie Foreman, signed a two-month contract with Kent that runs until the end of the Vitality Blast, and is included in Adam Hollioake's 15-player squad.
Kent Women
For Kent Women, their opening fixture - also at Lord's as part of a doubleheader - didn't quite harvest the same outcome as the Men's team, as they suffered a 106-run defeat to Middlesex having been bowled out for just 54 as they chased a target of 161.
Sussex have already faced Kent this season in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, losing by a six wicket margin following a sensational innings from opener Coco Streets (104*). Kent finished fourth in last year's Vitality Blast Women League Two, finishing eight points behind the Sharks as they similarly seek a first win in the competition this year on Bank Holiday Monday.
Previous Encounters
Last year produced further excitement to a T20 fixture that seemingly always provides entertainment.
Danny Lamb took a magnificent five-wicket haul in last year's win at Canterbury, before Kent's Joey Evison produced a game-winning 48* (24) in the return fixture to severely dent Sussex's chances of qualification. In the end, that defeat proved pivotal as the Spitfires sneaked through on the final day after Sharks' defeat at home to Surrey.
The two sides have met in the Blast on 38 occasions, with Kent winning 18 of those matches, one ahead of Sussex's 17 victories. The Sharks have had the upper hand in recent years, with Kent's win at Hove last year putting a stop a four-game win streak for Sussex.
There have been two no results, and one tie.
How to Watch
As always, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard.
The women's match gets underway tomorrow at 10.30am, with the men's match commencing in the afternoon, at 3,30pm.
Tickets
Tickets for this Bank Holiday Monday Doubleheader can be purchased here.
Essex vs Sussex Sharks | Match Report
By Martin Smith at Chelmsford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Sussex Sharks (192-4) beat Essex (191-5) by six wickets
John Simpson hurried Sussex Sharks to an opening-day Vitality Blast success with eight sixes in a whirlwind 63 from 23 balls against Essex.
The wicketkeeper-batsman dealt almost exclusively in maximums – he only hit one four – as he flayed the Essex attack to all parts of Chelmsford in a ferocious one-man pyrotechnic display. He put on 82 with James Coles for the third wicket in five-and-a-half overs to help Sussex towards their target with 24 balls and six wickets to spare. Coles’s own half-century was almost overshowed.
For Essex it was another chastening T20 evening. They won just three games when finishing bottom of the south group last year, and this performance did not augur well for an improvement this time around.
Daniel Hughes lay the foundations for the Sharks to chase down 192 with a hard-hitting 44, but it was Simpson who inflicted the damage, starting with a six off the first ball he faced.
Michael Pepper and Paul Walter put on 105 from 62 balls for the first Essex wicket, both batsmen reaching fifties, but apart from a whirlwind 36 at a strike-rate of 200 by Luc Benkenstein, Essex’s 191-5 looked slightly undercooked. And so it proved.
Essex, put in on a green wicket, reached 53 without loss in a powerplay they did not quite dominate. However, the gloves came off when the Sussex spinners were introduced with Walter leaning back and skying Danny Briggs for six over long-on and Pepper launching James Coles over deep midwicket’s head for a maximum. The two slow bowlers would go for 72 from a combined seven overs, but shared three of the five wickets to fall.
The innings exploded briefly in the 10th over with three sixes off Brad Currie, two of them to Pepper, who reached his half-century from 33 balls. However, Danny Lamb ended the onslaught when he bowled Pepper, who was attempting a reverse sweep.
Walter followed Pepper to fifty with a lofted, straight-driven four from his 30th ball. But he lost Matt Critchley soon after, picking out long-off. Walter himself went in similar fashion, caught at long-on, and Wiaan Mulder holed out on the midwicket boundary.
Benkenstein, however, had Briggs’s measure with three sixes down the ground, two in one over. He sent a fourth over Coles’s head, but next ball played over one that angled in and lost his middle and leg stumps.
Sussex lost Tom Clark early on, chipping Charlie Bennett to mid-on the ball after easing him over long-off for six. It did not seriously derailed Sussex as Hughes rattled off boundaries at a rate of almost two runs a ball, and Coles lofted Zaman Akhter for a straight six. They had knocked off 79 of the target by the end of their powerplay.
However, with 10 boundaries to his name, Hughes tried to reach his fifty with a six but was caught at long-off.
John Simpson showed him how to do it to his first ball. Simpson evidently wanted an early night as he added a second maximum in only four balls faced with two more following before his innings was a dozen balls old. A fifth was pulled high over square leg to bring up the fifty partnership in just 24 balls.
Maximum No7, driven straight marked his own half-century from just 18 balls. Five balls later he departed, caught predictably in the deep with just 30 needed for victory. Coles exited with just two runs required for 50 from 29 balls.
Foundation Delivers Record-Breaking Weekend for Disability Cricket
Foundation Delivers Record-Breaking Weekend for Disability Cricket
Sussex Cricket Foundation (SCF) has delivered a landmark weekend for Disability Cricket, welcoming record participation and showcasing inclusive sport at its very best. The celebrations reinforced Sussex’s growing reputation as a national leader in accessibility, participation and performance across the game.
At the centre of the weekend was the hugely successful DIScoverABILITY Day, which attracted more than 750 registered participants from across Sussex and beyond. Over 45 schools, colleges and charitable organisations came together to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where people of all ages and abilities could engage with sport.
The event was made possible through collaboration with nine specialist sports partners, offering participants a wide range of adaptive activities. Partners included Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, JOLF, Brighton Table Tennis Club, Sight Support Worthing, Sussex VI Sharks, the UK Wheelchair Cricket Association, WBC Cares UK - Adaptive Boxing and Defiant Sports, alongside West Sussex-based organisations; ensuring there was something for everyone, regardless of ability or experience.
A key feature of the day was the contribution of people behind the scenes. 70 young leaders from Sussex state schools and played a vital role in delivering sessions, supported by over 50 volunteers from local businesses, community organisations and the wider Sussex Cricket network.
The impact of the day was reflected in the feedback from visiting schools. A teacher from Saxon Mount School said: “Can I say a big thank you from Saxon Mount School - we had over 55 pupils and staff who visited Discoverability last Friday - it is a highlight of our school year. It must take a huge amount of organisation but was smooth and easy getting into and out of the ground. This year, we got to meet Sandy and Sid - a bonus. Thank you to all the people who ran the sessions and coached - it was another good visit.”
The weekend also celebrated performance cricket, with The County Ground hosting a competitive Mixed Disability 1st XI fixture against Hampshire. The match was live streamed, allowing audiences further afield to experience the quality and spirit of Disability Cricket.
Players enjoyed a full elite matchday experience, including access to the first team changing rooms, support from Sussex Cricket’s performance analysis team led by Luke Dunning, the unveiling of new match shirts, and a special capping ceremony conducted by John Barclay, in honour of newly appointed Mixed Disability Pathway Club Captain, James Bunday. SCF also paid tribute to match officials, volunteers, ground staff and stewards, while thanking Hampshire for their sportsmanship and contribution to an excellent contest.
Reflecting on the weekend, Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager at Sussex Cricket Foundation said;
“The collective efforts of players, families, volunteers, coaches and staff has been incredible. This weekend truly highlights the shared commitment to driving Disability Cricket forward across the county and beyond.”
SCF now supports more than 1,000 children, young people and adults through a comprehensive programme that spans grassroots and elite pathways. Provision includes SEND school programmes, Super 1s hubs, Disability Champion Clubs, Mixed Disability Super 9s (Soft ball) & D40 (Hard ball) and Visually Impaired performance pathways.
The success of the weekend was further underpinned by the continued support of key partners, with special thanks paid to Webtrends Optimize for its ongoing sponsorship.
As Disability Cricket in Sussex continues to grow, the Foundation remains focused on breaking down barriers, creating high-quality opportunities and ensuring everyone has the chance to take part, compete and thrive in the game.
To find out more about the work of the Sussex Cricket Foundation please visit their website here. A video from this year’s DIScoverABILITY Day can be found below.
Essex vs Sussex Sharks
Well, here we go again. Another Vitality Blast campaign arrives with Tymal Mills' Sharks looking to right the wrongs from a previous campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on a quarter-final spot.
And it's off to Chelmsford for the T20 opener: a ground that has, in years gone by, produced some classic matches between the two sides.
Sussex will begin this Blast campaign with a two point deduction following the ECB's ruling in the winter, and as a result were only able to have one overseas player for this tournament: Australian opener, Dan Hughes. There's no Nathan McAndrew this year, but former Sussex player, Danny Briggs, returns as a potentially crucial spin option for Paul Farbrace's side.
"The ambition is to win", explained Mills in his recent interview. A positive beginning to the two away games to start this now reduced tournament, with a trip to Kent on Monday following Friday, will potentially prove pivotal if that ambition is to become reality.
The Opposition
Under the captaincy of Simon Harmer, Essex will be looking for an improved captain this time around after finishing bottom of the South Group in 2025. Despite this, they were victorious over the Sharks at Essex and, barring the Hove rain, would've likely made it a double over the Sharks with Jordan Cox outstanding for the visitors.
Last season, it was the bat of Michael Pepper that harvested the most runs for Essex (364), while Mohammad Amir claimed 20 wickets with the ball. With wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Rossington not re-engaged after his T20-only contract did not work out, South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is the only addition to Essex’s Vitality Blast squad.
Mulder’s most recent international T20 caps came as recently as March in New Zealand, and with approaching 150 appearances in the format, he will look to prove an asset in the early matches. Cox topped the Essex batting averages last season – 10 runs ahead of anyone else – and scored a memorable century against Hampshire. A dangerous player on his day.
Previous Encounters
The two sides have met on 38 occasions in T20 history, with the first encounter taking place back in 2003.
Essex narrowly edge the head-to-head record with 19 victories, with Sussex winning 18. One game was a no result, which occurred last season at Hove as the rain came to the host's aid.
Essex have had the upper hand in recent years, with Sussex winning just one of the previous eight meetings between the sides.
Team News
Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for tomorrow's match in Chelmsford, with Tom Alsop making a first squad appearance of the season. White ball specialists, Brad Currie and Harrison Ward, also feature. Farbrace said in his interview following Day 4 at Somerset that seamer Ollie Robinson will be handed a break.
Jack Leaning has settled into Sussex swiftly in the red ball game, and he'll be pushing for a first Blast start as a Shark.
Squad: Alsop, Briggs, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, Leaning, Mills*, Simpson (wk), Ward
Start Time
Tomorrow's fixture will commence at 7pm, with this the second match of a doubleheader. Essex Women will be hosting Warwickshire Bears Women at 2pm, with a match ticket allowing access to both games.
How to Watch
You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Essex clash via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard.
Ticket Information
Tickets are still available for tomorrow's encounter in Essex, and can be bought via Essex's official website.
Derbyshire Falcons Women vs Sussex Sharks Women
Sussex Sharks Women commence their Vitality Blast campaign tomorrow (Friday, 22 May) as they make the trip up to The Central Co-op County Ground to take on Derbyshire Falcons.
It was a positive campaign for Alexia Walker's side last year, winning four and losing four of their eight group games as they narrowly missed out on a place in a semi-final. Derbyshire were not in Sussex's group last year but, after a reshuffle, the two sides will meet - with tomorrow's hosts looking to build on a tricky outing in the competition last time out.
For the Sharks there is reason to be positive: a strong start in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup will hope to be transferred over to the Blast, with an impressive victory at Northamptonshire by a 76-run margin the side's previous outing.
Team News
Squad: Mollie Adams, Anna Buckle, Darcey Clarke, Izzy Collis, Kali-Ann Docherty, Indigo Gentry, Chiara Green (c), Bella Johnson, Anna Lewis, Faye Mullins, Eve O’Neill, Shristi Patil, Phoebe Wilkinson
The Opposition
Two victories were recorded from Derbyshire's eight group games in last season's Blast in a challenging campaign for Head Coach, Jon Dyson. They'll look for an improved season this time around, though it has already been a tough start to their 2026 outing in the One Day Cup, having lost all three of their matches.
How to Watch
As ever, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard.
The action gets underway at 2.30pm on Friday.
Sussex Mixed Disability 1st XI vs Hampshire | Match Report
Sussex Mixed Disability 1st XI vs Hampshire | Match Report
Sunshine at Hove set the scene for a dramatic D40 Quest (South) encounter as Sussex Mixed Disability 1st XI edged past defending champions Hampshire by 33 runs in a hard-fought contest. The win handed Sussex an opening victory in the campaign and sends them into the return fixture in two weeks with momentum.
Sussex were inserted to bat on a surface that looked firm, and good for run scoring. However, a short boundary on one side encouraged Hampshire to ask Sussex to bat, as defending later in the game could prove difficult. The innings began promisingly; an opening stand of 30 without loss off six overs laid a solid platform before Ted Smith fell LBW, and a couple of breakthroughs including James Bunday and Charlie Ferguson at 3 and 4 respectively. This ensured that the scoreboard kept moving in the runs and the wickets column.
Elliot Brown and Alfie Pyle steadied the innings, shepherding Sussex through to drinks at 97 for 3. Their partnership combined sensible rotation of strike with selective aggression, ensuring the side remained in a position to post a competitive total. Pyle countered after the break with a brisk flurry of boundaries, finishing a measured 36 off 36 balls, five of those deliveries punished to the rope. His cameo injected momentum whilst in contrast Brown acted as the anchor for the innings, balancing defence and scoring as he accumulated runs; by the time he fell for 43 in the 30th over he had struck five boundaries, underlining his role in holding the innings together.
This did trigger a collapse as wickets fell at regular intervals in the last 10 overs. Captain, Owen Piper provided some resistance and late power hitting as the wickets fell around him. Piper’s willingness to take the aerial route when required helped keep the scoreboard ticking, and he finished with a vital 33. Sussex were unable to rebuild in the last 10 overs due to some very good bowling from the Hampshire spinners and finished on 179 with 3.2 overs unused. While the total felt defendable on the day, there was a sense at the midpoint that leaving a few extra runs on the board might have reduced the pressure in a tight chase.
What followed was a display of fielding and bowling that underlined Sussex’s strengths. Early in Hampshire’s reply, a piece of brilliance set the tone; Declan Dexter produced a full delivery that induced a chance, and Charlie Ferguson sprung high to take a world-class catch, an athletic piece of work that sent a clear message to the visitors and his teammates that this game was truly on. Dan Gee, operating at the other end, bowled an exceptional, if ultimately unlucky spell, beating the bat on multiple occasions and consistently troubling both edges.
Hampshire responded with aggression, particularly through Kevin Cooper, who targeted the short side effectively and compiled a brisk 39. Cooper’s hitting kept the chase alive and at one stage threatened to swing the balance. His innings, however, came to an end, when Ferguson bowled a ball, that was pulled into the hands of Ted Smith at square leg. That dismissal proved a pivotal turning point, removing the set aggressor reinvigorated Sussex’s chances and opened the middle order to renewed pressure.
The middle overs were a battle of momentum. Hampshire inched ahead at times, but Sussex’s bowlers would squeeze, only to see pressure eased by a loose delivery here and there. Crucially, Sussex turned to spin as the surface aged, and ball softened making strokes progressively harder to time as the game progressed. That change in approach paid dividends. A decisive spell emerged from the combined efforts of Jake Vosloo and Ted Smith. Across 15 overs they shared 4 for 67 between them, steadily dismantling Hampshire’s middle order and setting up the late overs for Sussex to seize control.
Ted Smith’s disciplined lines were rewarded with a superbly taken catch by Aston Stuart to dismiss Ben Williams (23), a wicket that further tilted the game toward the home side. Whilst Vosloo’s stump to stump threat brought a wicket through an ill-judged sweep shot. With Hampshire wobbling, Sussex turned to the speedster of the side.
Though Alfie Pyle had been held back earlier the stage was set for Alfie to finish the game. That call proved inspired in the end by Piper. Pyle produced a composed, incisive spell through the lower order, claiming 3-5 including the last 2 wickets. His late breakthroughs sealed a famous victory for Sussex, a testament to the side’s bowling, and fielding efforts throughout.
Beyond the individual moments, the match was notable for the collective fielding that underpinned Sussex’s success. Several ground-saving stops and some great catches and a run out. The combination of that athletic fielding and well-executed bowling plans compensated for the batting collapse late in Sussex’s innings and ultimately proved decisive.
For Sussex, the result is a confidence-building start; one win from one game, earned against the reigning champions and on a surface that demanded adaptability. The contributions were spread through the side - Brown’s top score, Pyle’s aggressive middle-order cameo and crucial late wickets, Piper’s steady captaincy, and the incisive spells from Vosloo and Smith all combined to deliver victory. Hampshire will rue missed opportunities and the inability to convert starts into a sustained chase, but Sussex will be encouraged by the way their tactics and fielding held firm when it mattered most.
Attention now turns to the return fixture at Hampshire in two weeks, where Sussex will look to carry forward the momentum and build on this result.
You can stay up to date with the latest fixtures, results, scorecards and statistics from all the Sussex Mixed Disability teams here, or keep across the wider ECB National Disabled Cricket League here.
Report courtesy of Elliot Brown (Vice-Captain)
Sussex Cricket welcomes Maldron Hotels as Preferred Hotel Partner
Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce a new partnership with Maldron Hotel, Brighton.
Maldron Hotels operates 29 hotels throughout the UK and Ireland, including a 225-room hotel featuring a fitness suite, terrace, restaurant and bar in Cannon Place, Brighton which opened in 2024.
Sussex Cricket supporters can benefit from an exclusive discounted rate to celebrate this new partnership, and Maldron Hotels are also collaborating with Sussex Cricket to offer hotel and ticket packages for both home and away supporters looking to visit The County Ground
Sussex Cricket Interim Chief Executive Mark West said:
“It is fantastic to be welcoming Maldron Hotels as a new Corporate Partner of Sussex Cricket. Their hotel in Brighton is a great base for supporters from across the county to visit The County Ground this summer, and we look forward to working closely with them on some other exciting initiatives made possible by this partnership”
Maldron Hotel Brighton General Manager Michelle Doyle said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Sussex Cricket. As a new business in Brighton, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to align with one of the city’s most established sporting organisations. Maldron Hotel Brighton is well located for supporters travelling to The County Ground, and we look forward to welcoming guests throughout the season. We’re excited about what’s ahead and the opportunities this partnership will bring"
About Maldron Hotel, Brighton
Maldron Hotel Brighton is a contemporary 225-bedroom hotel located in Cannon Place, just moments from Brighton seafront. Opened in late summer 2024, the hotel is ideally positioned behind the beachfront, offering easy access to the Brighton Centre, The Lanes, and key transport links, while providing a calm and comfortable base within the city.
Part of the Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator, Maldron Hotels are known for delivering modern, comfortable accommodation across key city and regional locations in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on quality service, convenience, and consistency.
Maldron Hotel Brighton features thoughtfully designed bedrooms with air conditioning, rainfall showers, smart TVs with Chromecast, and practical comforts suited to both short and extended stays. The hotel also offers flexible meeting and event space for up to 100 delegates, catering to corporate, group, and event-driven stays.
Sustainability is a key focus, with the hotel holding an Excellent BREEAM rating and Green Tourism accreditation, reflecting Dalata’s wider commitment to responsible hospitality.
Well placed for visitors attending major events in the city, Maldron Hotel Brighton provides a convenient base for guests travelling to venues such as The County Ground, as well as Brighton’s wider leisure and business destinations.
For more information about Maldron Hotel Brighton, please contact Vita Vegyte, Sales Manager
Email: vvegyte@maldronhotels.com
Somerset vs Sussex | Day Four
Somerset vs Sussex | Day Three
Somerset vs Sussex | Day Two
Centuries from Tom Abell and Craig Overton put Somerset on top on the second day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match with Sussex at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.
Unbeaten on 74 overnight, Abell hit 119 off 192 balls, with 12 fours and a six, while Overton, who began the day on 26, made 111 from 177 deliveries, with 14 fours and 2 sixes, as the hosts ran up 526 for eight declared. It was Abell’s 23rd first class hundred and Overton’s third.
The two 32-year-olds shared a sixth-wicket stand of 146 in 32.1 overs. Abell’s ton took his average in Championship cricket this season to 77.33, while all-rounder Overton is averaging 51.87. By the close of a rain-affected day, Sussex had replied with 22 for one.
Play began on time at 11am, an Abell edge to third man for four off Tom Clark bringing up the half-century stand with Overton off 83 balls. After just 3.2 overs, drizzle started falling, Somerset having registered a third batting point at 350 for five.
Play resumed at 12.10pm, Overton taking two boundaries in an over off Henry Crocombe, who sent down several short-pitched balls on the easy-paced pitch. Overton moved to an accomplished fifty off 63 balls, with 8 fours.
Another short rain-break interrupted proceedings at 375 for five. With Somerset looking to accelerate towards a fourth bonus point, Overton pulled a six off Crocombe and by the time rain stopped play for the third time, the hosts needed just six more runs off four overs to achieve their target.
The weather closed in when lunch was taken at shortly after 12.50pm. Persistent rain delayed a restart until 4.25pm, with a total of 50 overs lost and a possible 36 left in the day.
Abell and Overton soon continued where they had left off, the former moving to a chanceless hundred with a single to mid-wicket off Crocombe. It was the third time he had reached three figures in the Championship this season.
Sussex finally broke the partnership with the total on 443 when Abell connected sweetly with a leg side shot off Jack Carson, but failed to clear mid-wicket where Clark took a sharp catch.
Overton needed one moment of good fortune on 99 when he was dropped by the diving Ollie Robinson at short mid-on off Carson - a tough chance. A two into the leg side in the same over saw him go to a 134-ball century, his second of the summer.
An otherwise assured innings ended when Overton was bowled advancing down the pitch to Coles. Lewis Gregory provided some lusty blows to boost the already significant total and moved quickly to 35. When he was caught behind off James Coles it prompted the declaration.
Sussex were left with a possible 12 overs to bat before stumps. Two were lost to a brief stoppage for bad light and the resumption saw Overton’s day get even better when he pinned Tom Haines lbw for six.
Play was brought to an abrupt end by floodlight failure with a possible 4.5 overs still to be bowled.
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