Northamptonshire vs Sussex: Day Three Match Report

Sussex quick bowler Nathan McAndrew took five wickets, including two in three balls, to power his county to victory over Northamptonshire and cement their place at the top of the Vitality County Championship Division Two.

Australian overseas signing McAndrew, who removed both openers yesterday, finished with figures of five for 73 as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 220, Sussex winning by 63 runs.

A short, fiery spell from overlooked England seamer Ollie Robinson did the early damage in gloomy, drizzly conditions. Robinson found plenty of bounce and carry to remove both not out Northamptonshire batters, Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh inside the first 20 minutes of this third morning at Wantage Road. It was a spell which effectively dashed the hosts’ remaining hopes of chasing 284 to win.

While Robinson went off with a niggle soon afterwards, Sussex kept the pressure on, removing the in-form Lewis McManus cheaply before a stubborn eighth wicket partnership of 50 in 14 overs between Justin Broad (45) and Ben Sanderson (24) kept Northamptonshire in the chase.

But McAndrew, playing the second of two Championship matches this summer, then returned to take the last three wickets to earn his side their fifth win of the summer.

Northamptonshire had started the day on 137 for four – still needing another 147 to pull off a first win of the season. But they soon lost South African T20 international Breetzke (12) when he pulled out of a pull shot against Robinson, only for the ball to climb and take the edge through to keeper John Simpson.

Robinson then got another pacy delivery to lift sharply with Keogh (12) only able to edge through to Jack Carson at fourth slip before Sean Hunt accounted for McManus (5), caught behind, to leave Northamptonshire in trouble at 155 for seven, having lost three wickets for 11 in seven overs.

Broad and Sanderson dug in to keep Northamptonshire’s hopes alive, running sharp ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over, but unafraid to put the bad balls away.

Sanderson showed his batting credentials with a glorious on drive past the bowler for four to get off the mark against Hunt before clipping Fynn Hudson-Prentice off his legs through midwicket for another boundary.

In neat symmetry, Broad, who drove Robinson straight down the ground for four to bring up Northamptonshire’s 150, reverse swept the left-arm spin of James Coles for another boundary to take the hosts past 200.

The decision to reintroduce McAndrew into the attack proved inspired when, in his first over, he removed Sanderson, who chipped straight to Dan Hughes at mid-on. Then, two balls later, the bowler accounted for Raphy Weatherall with an unplayable inswinging yorker.

Broad still showed belief though, taking the attack to McAndrew, ramping over the keeper for four, smashing over midwicket for six and carving the ball square for another boundary. The bowler ultimately had the last word though and when Broad attempted to swing him over fine leg, Coles took the catch in the deep.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Sussex Head Coach Paul Farbrace 

Watch: T20 Vitality Blast - The Story So Far

A short break in the T20 Vitality Blast schedule has given an opportunity to reflect on what has been an exhilarating Blast campaign so far from the Sussex Sharks. 

After the first 8 games, the Sharks sit second in the South Group, having won six and lost two. There have been so many nights to remember already, including a final-ball victory against Gloucestershire, a crucial win at the Oval and a run-fest at Chelmsford. 

Check out the highlights from all six of our wins so far this season.

Glamorgan Tickets Selling Fast

The Sharks are back in action at The 1st Central County Ground this Friday night, and tickets are selling fast.

Don't miss out on your chance to see the Sharks in one of only four remaining home games this summer. 

Plus, you can use promo code: T20GROUPS for 10% off all bookings of 6 or more tickets. Click here to purchase yours today.

Northamptonshire vs Sussex: Day Two Match Report

Sussex’s bowlers dealt Northamptonshire a double blow late in the day at Wantage Road to close in on victory and the chance to stretch their advantage at the top of Vitality County Championship Division Two.

Set a target of 284, Emilio Gay’s 67 appeared to have given Northamptonshire a fighting chance – but he and skipper Luke Procter both fell in the space of four balls to leave the visitors as clear favourites in a low-scoring contest.

Seamer Nathan McAndrew, who dismissed Gay leg before, ended with two for 37 as the home side closed on 137 for four – still needing another 147 to pull off a first win of the season.

Procter played a key role with the ball earlier in the day, recording season’s best figures of four for 45 as Sussex were bowled out for 237 in their second innings, while Ben Sanderson took three for 44.

The opening day’s play had encompassed 22 wickets – and more of the same looked on the cards when Tom Alsop departed in the first over, edging Sanderson behind with no increase to Sussex’s overnight lead of 129.

In a tight opening spell Sanderson soon dismissed nightwatchman Sean Hunt as well, taken at first slip, while Raphy Weatherall and Justin Broad also extracted movement and bounce off the surface.

James Coles settled down to dispatch a series of classic cover drives to the boundary, while Oli Carter shook off a slow start by whipping Procter for six over square leg, but the Northamptonshire captain responded by bringing one back to pin Coles in front.

Broad then struck twice just after lunch with a ball that seamed and bounced to clip Carter’s off bail before Fynn Hudson-Prentice miscalculated a cut shot and speared it into the hands of mid-off instead.

Having spilled a number of catches in Sussex’s first innings, the home side squandered an opportunity to remove John Simpson as Gay, springing across from second slip, fumbled a sharp chance off Sanderson.

In the same over, Broad’s throw from cover should have left McAndrew short of his ground and the Australian capitalised on that let-off, thrashing five boundaries to reach a valuable 22 before he was out in peculiar fashion.

McAndrew’s leading edge off Procter looped up towards mid-off, with the bowler racing to gather it, colliding with the substitute fielder and dumping the ball on the turf in his follow-through – yet the catch stood.

Procter swiftly polished off the last two wickets, including that of Simpson for 40, to leave Northamptonshire almost a session and a half’s batting and they lost Ricardo Vasconcelos prior to tea, trapped in his crease by McAndrew’s second delivery.

However, Prithvi Shaw got off the mark by crunching McAndrew to the cover fence and continued to exhibit classy strokeplay on either side of the wicket as he and Gay built a partnership of 69, the highest of the match.

Left-armer Hunt produced a beauty to separate the pair, knocking back Shaw’s off stump for 37 – and he might also have dislodged Gay in his next over but Simpson, leaping low to his left, was unable to pouch the chance.

The opener took advantage to pass 50 for the sixth time this season from the next ball and he and Procter dug in to reach 118 for two before Sussex prised them both out in successive overs.

Off-spinner Jack Carson persuaded Procter to nudge one to Simpson and the swift loss of Gay left Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh with the task of ensuring Northamptonshire at least live to fight another day.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Nathan McAndrew at the end of day two 

Sussex Cricket Launches Hidden Disability Wristband

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that the Club has launched its very own Hidden Disability Wristband. 

It follows the recent news that the Club also opened its brand new Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room, a safe and relaxing environment where supporters can take time away from the main seating areas to enjoy the cricket. 

The Sussex Cricket Hidden Disability Wristband is to help catering, stewarding, and ticketing staff to better assist supporters and avoid otherwise awkward situations for supporters and staff.

Wristbands are available for spectators to wear to The 1st Central County Ground and is a discreet method of letting our stewards and staff know if they have a hidden disability which means they may require additional assistance or support when visiting our ground. 

The 1st Central County Ground is a venue for everyone and our staff will be on hand to give spectators the support they need to ensure they have an enjoyable experience at the cricket.

To request a wristband or to find out more about the Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room, please contact jenny.mayo@sussexcricket.co.uk 

Surrey Women vs Sussex Women: Match Report

Sussex Women edged out Surrey Women by 14 runs in a tightly fought contest yesterday at Guildford to maintain their spot in in second place of Group 4 in the ECB Women’s 50 Over competition.  

Going into the game, Sussex knew a win would be some daylight between their opponents, who sat just behind them in the group in third place.

Hosts Surrey won the toss and elected to field and when they managed to bowl Sussex out for just 156 runs in 41.4 overs, they would have forgiven for thinking a win would be a formality. 

The Sussex top order was unable to strike up any significant partnerships, with the Surrey bowling attack restricting the run rate throughout the early overs of the innings. 

Wicket-keeper-batter Mollie Adams, the only batter to score over 10 runs from Sussex’s top five, meant work was needed from the middle-order to put together a defendable total.

Phoebe Wilkinson (46) had to work hard for her runs, but she had support from allrounder Regina Suddahazai, who contributed 20 runs. 

Surrey’s run chase almost mirrored that of the visitors, with only opener Daisy Feast (25) making runs. 

Sussex’s varied bowling attack, which has seen contributions from a number of different bowlers this season, did well to prevent Surrey’s chase from picking up momentum.

Surrey captain, Amy Gordon, made a brisk 36 from 27 deliveries to give them hope of victory, but she was eventually dismissed by the in-form Millie Taylor.

Taylor would go on to return figures of 4-32 from her 10 overs as she cleaned up the Surrey tail. 

There was also wickets for Daisy Gibb, Reinga Suddahazai, Tia Joseph and Indigo Gentry, who ensured Surrey were bowled out for 142, 14 runs shy of the Sussex total.

To view the scorecard, plus all of the Sussex Women’s fixtures and results, please visit: https://sussexwomen.play-cricket.com/home

Photo credit: Saud Ahmed

Northamptonshire vs Sussex: Day One Match Report

Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson equalled his season’s best tally of four wickets for 42 as Northamptonshire were skittled for 97 on an eventful opening day of this Vitality County Championship match at Wantage Road.

Robinson, who claimed identical stats against Yorkshire at Hove, found more control and a better line as he switched ends amid a Steelbacks collapse. This after the hosts had raced to 43 without loss inside six overs before Nathan McAndrew (3-25) started the slump with two wickets in two balls.

But on a day which saw 22 wickets fall, Sussex had themselves been bowled out earlier for 143, Northamptonshire seamer Jack White striking with four wickets for 23 runs, his first scalps of the summer since returning from injury. The visitors were undone by some testing seam bowling on a green top with bare ends, the bowlers finding plenty of movement to beat the bat consistently with Sussex losing six wickets for 47 in 19 overs after lunch, despite a series of dropped catches from the hosts.

The clatter of wickets meant Sussex were batting again at 5.20pm when, with the sun putting in a late appearance, conditions started to ease. Tom Haines took advantage, hitting 45 as Sussex closed on 83 for two, 129 ahead.

Earlier Haines was first to go in Sussex’s first innings, flashing outside off-stump, caught at fourth slip by Matthew Breetzke to give White his first wicket.

Daniel Hughes top scored with 35, stroking five boundaries before he was dropped by a diving Prithvi Shaw at second slip off Luke Procter (3-37). His reprieve was short lived as he edged the next delivery behind. Procter soon picked up another when James Coles fell to a good low catch by Matthew Breetzke at midwicket.

Tom Alsop (25) then departed on the stroke of lunch when tried to work Justin Broad off his hip and was caught behind on the stroke of lunch.

After the interval, in-form Sussex captain John Simpson took Sussex into three figures, before the innings swiftly fell apart.

Oli Carter was first to go. He had hit consecutive boundaries through the covers before lunch but was undone when White used his height to gain some extra bounce drawing him into pushing outside off-stump, keeper Lewis McManus taking the catch.

Simpson almost fell soon after, but Shaw shelled a simple chance at second slip off White. The bowler persevered, striking later in the same over when he jagged one back in to trap Fynn Hudson-Prentice lbw.

Simpson offered a second chance in the slips off Ben Sanderson, but this time a diving Breetzke could not hold on. He finally fell when Broad gratefully pouched a catch at second slip to give White his fourth wicket. Next Procter had McAndrew caught behind by a diving McManus before Robinson fell first ball, top-edging a return catch to Sanderson.

Jack Carson meanwhile took the aggressive route as wickets tumbled around him. He clubbed the ball through the onside and scooped for six before holing out off Sanderson.

When Northamptonshire batted, Ricardo Vasconcelos pummelled 16 off the opening over, including a six and two fours before pulling Sean Hunt out of the ground for another maximum. He had moved to 33 when he tried to steer Hunt past fourth slip, Carson taking a superb diving catch.

McAndrew then picked up two wickets in two balls thanks to some stunning fielding at third slip from Haines, who first took a good low grab to dismiss Emilio Gay, before an even more spectacular diving catch away to his left as Procter went first ball. South African T20 international Breetzke, playing his first Championship match, was then adjudged lbw to give McAndrew, Northamptonshire’s fourth wicket to fall for 16 runs in three overs.

Shaw, however, looked a class apart, driving his first two deliveries from Hunt square for four. He took a liking to McAndrew too, smashing him through the covers and cracking him away off the back foot.

But Robinson found a better line and control from the David Capel End and struck on the stroke of tea, Rob Keogh falling to a juggling catch by Coles at slip. He struck again soon after the interval when McManus drove loosely outside off-stump and was well caught by a leaping Simpson.

Hudson-Prentice made the key breakthrough, removing Shaw, caught by Carson off the leading edge for 31, before Robinson claimed a third wicket, shaping one back in to bowl Sanderson. In his next over he had Weatherall brilliantly caught by Carson at short cover before taking a catch in the deep himself as Broad holed out off Hudson-Prentice.

When Sussex batted again, Northamptonshire made an early breakthrough when White trapped Hughes lbw for 13. Haines though decided attack was the best option, smashing eight boundaries as he and Alsop shared a stand of 63 before he was caught behind off Sanderson.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace

Sussex Sharks vs Glamorgan in Aid of 

Sussex Cricket Foundation

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that the T20 Vitality Blast fixture on Friday 5th July between Sussex Sharks vs Glamorgan at The 1st Central County Ground will be played in aid of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, to help raise awareness and vital funds for the Club’s charitable arm.

The Sussex Cricket Foundation’s aim is to help actively change lives through the power of cricket, helping to inspire the next generation of cricketers, provide opportunities for people to play the game and make it accessible to all.

Before the game the Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired Team, who will be guests of honor, will take to the pitch to parade the BCEW Trophy which they won recently when they defeated Northamptonshire at The 1st Central County Ground. 

The Sussex Cricket Foundation team will also be running various activities in their new look FamZone before and during the game.

It has been yet another hugely impactful year for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, who continue to be held in high regard by the ECB and other partners. 

The Foundation continue to be classed as a ‘leading organisation’ in Disability Cricket, Women & Girls Cricket and Schools Cricket. The Foundation recently published their 2023 Impact Report, which can be read here and details all their work.  

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, said: “The Foundation continues to be in the best possible position and the game continues to grow across all ages, abilities and genders across the County. 

“Recreational Cricket in Sussex has never been in a stronger place. I am delighted that we are able to use one of our T20 fixtures as an opportunity to showcase the work of the Foundation which will help amplify our message to a wider audience.”

Tickets for Sharks vs Glamorgan on Friday 5th July 

Tickets are selling fast for Sharks vs Glamorgan, and with the team hunting down a quarter-final place, now is the time to secure yours and help to see them across the line. Click here to purchase yours today.

Sussex Cricket Foundation Donations

If you would like to make a donation to the Sussex Cricket Foundation, you can do so when purchasing your ticket to the game online, before making payment.

Alternatively, if you can’t make the game and would still like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking here.

Any donation you can manage is greatly appreciated and will help to continue the great work the Foundation carries out across the County. 

To support or find out more about the Foundation visit their website or contact Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler on gary.wallis-tayler@sussexcricket.co.uk 

Northamptonshire vs Sussex: Match Preview

After a dramatic final day win against Leicestershire on Wednesday, Sussex travel to Northamptonshire tomorrow looking to consolidate their place at the top of Division Two in the County Championship. Sussex Head Coach Paul Farbrace has named a 13-player squad for the trip.

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Lamb, McAndrew, Robinson, Simpson (c) (wk)

Team News

Tom Clark remains unavailable and Dan Hughes comes into the squad.

How to Watch

As usual, you can watch every single ball, free of charge on our livestream via our Match Day Centre. First ball is at 11am tomorrow.

Jack Carson Becomes 160th Sussex Player to Receive County Cap

Sussex offspinning allrounder Jack Carson became the 160th Sussex Men's Player to receive his County Cap yesterday ahead of the final day of the County Championship match between Sussex and Leicestershire.

Another success story of the Sussex Academy Pathway, Carson made his First-Class debut for Sussex in 2020 and has gone on to make 56 appearances for the Club across all formats of the game.

In 44 First-Class matches, Jack has taken 120 wickets at an average of 36.45 and an economy of 3.43. He has also accumulated 1303 runs. including nine half-centuries, with a high score of 87.

His ability with both bat and ball have made him a mainstay in the Sussex team and has played a key role in Sussex's promotion bid this season. 

Carson was presented his cap in front of his teammates and parents by Sussex legend Tony Cottey, a mentor and key figure in Jack's progression from the Pathway to the First Team. 

Congratulations, Jack! #GOSBTS