Sussex vs Somerset Day Three Report

Sean Hunt, who is only playing for Sussex in the absence of the injured Ollie Robinson, is inspiring his side to what could their first victory in Division One of the county championship since 2015.

In the most memorable match of his career, Hunt followed a sprightly innings of 33 with a career-best five for 48.  Then, after Sussex set Somerset a far-fetched 595 for victory, Hunt took all the wickets as Somerset closed on 125 for four. 

Left-arm seamer Hunt broke through in his first over when Sean Dickson pushed forward and Tom Haines took the edge at fourth slip. Somerset lost their other opener in Hunt’s fourth over when Archie Vaughan top-edged his hook shot and Jack Carson took the catch at backward square-leg; 17 for two.

Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell put on an untroubled 63 but when Hunt returned for the 20th over he caught and bowled Lammonby from a leading edge with his first delivery and five balls later removed Tom Banton’s off-stump with a beauty that moved in. The only disappointment for Hunt was when he dropped a return catch offered by James Rew when he had scored just one. It would have been Hunt’s tenth wicket in the match. He will be difficult to drop for the Easter match at home to Surrey.

The timing of the Sussex declaration was problematic, given the flatness of the pitch and the proven talent of a number of Somerset batsmen. Ultimately John Simpson, the Sussex captain, decided to effectively bat Somerset out of the game, setting them a far-fetched target from a minimum of 130 overs, at a rate of 4.57 runs an over.  

Sussex had started the third day on 246 for one, a lead of 339, with Haines 117 not out and Tom Clark unbeaten on 29. They scored 88 in the 32 overs bowled before lunch, probably marginally less than they had intended. But the loss of Clark, and then Haines and Alsop in successive overs, put a brake on their ambition. And Jack Leach, who took four wickets, also bowled tightly.

Clarke was out for 44 off 82 deliveries, edging Josh Davey to wicketkeeper Rew.  Haines fell at 298, lbw to Vaughan as he attempted to work the ball to leg. It was Vaughan’s first wicket away from Taunton. Haines’s first century in Division One of the county championship was a big one – 141 from 264 deliveries, with 15 fours and two sixes. And Somerset broke through again in the following over when Alsop, pushing forward to Leach, was caught behind. 

After lunch Sussex changed gear, but  moved up only one. James Coles was caught behind, top-edging as he went on the attack for a 69-ball 39, and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, spent 37 balls making 18. Only when Danny Lamb was out for a fourth ball duck – making it a pair for him – did Sussex really put their foot to the floor, with Simpson and Carson adding 84 in 91 overs. Carson hit a 26-ball 35, pulling Leach for two sixes and driving him for another.

But once again it was the astonishing Simpson who caught the eye, with an unbeaten 110 from 117 deliveries, with five sixes and five fours, reaching three figures with a straight maximum against Kasey Aldridge. He started the season with an unbeaten 181 against Warwickshire last week.

Last season Simpson topped the Sussex batting averages with 1,197 runs, with five centuries.  H e has scored seven hundreds in 16 matches for Sussex, for whom he averages 86.  He took 200 games for Middlesex to score his other ten first-class centuries, averaging 33 for the county. But Hunt was the only player Sussex supporters were talking about at the close.

Sussex vs Somerset Day Two Report

An opening partnership of 184 between Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes placed Sussex in a commanding position at the end of the second day of their county championship match against Somerset.

By the time Jack Leach finally broke the first wicket stand, in the 50th over, the Sussex lead was 277.  And by the close they had extended their advantage to 339 thanks to a 13th first-class century from Haines, his first in the top division. Sussex will be looking for a lead in the region of 500 runs on the third day.  It will take a big total to bat Somerset out of the game. 

Somerset will remember how, last June, they chased down 410 in the fourth innings to beat Warwickshire by five wickets with four overs to spare. They will know how the pitches at Hove can flatten out in the course of a match.  Sussex, for their part, are probably still haunted by the memory of Louis Kimber’s astonishing 243 here last season, which almost pulled off a far-fetched victory for Leicestershire, who were set 464 in the fourth innings and lost by just 18 runs. 

 A century looked there for the taking for the Australian left-hander Hughes. But on 91, attempting to cut a wide delivery through backward-point, he was caught behind. He had faced 151 balls and hit 16 fours.

Haines, though, would not be denied. He moved to 99 by hitting Archie Vaughan for a straight six and then hit Leach back over his head to reach three figures. He had faced 182 balls and hit 12 fours and two sixes. And at stumps he was still unbeaten on 117.

The morning session had three distinct phases. Sussex took two quick wickets, to maintain their dominance of the previous evening. James Rew then led a considerable Somerset counter attack before the last three wickets fell for just 12 runs runs.

Somerset resumed on 62 for five, still 232 runs behind, and their chances of mounting a meaningful recovery were seriously compromised when they slid to 79 for seven. In the third over of the day Sean Hunt found the inside edge of Tom Lammonby bat and wicketkeeper John Simpson took a sharp catch moving sharply to his left. The left-hander had not added to his overnight score of 24. Two overs later the same combination accounted for Kasey Aldridge, this time Simpson completing a jugging catch.

But from that unpromising position Rew and his captain Lewis Gregory took the attack to the Sussex bowlers and added 110 for the eighth wicket in 20 overs. When Rew clipped Danny Lamb through mid-on for four to reach 49 it took Somerset to 145, and they had avoided the chance of being asked to follow on.

Rew then edged Jayden Seals for his eighth four – one of his few false strokes – to reach his fifty from 61 deliveries.  It was the first half-century of the match. Rew edged Seales for another boundary, this time to raise the 100 partnership.

The partnership was progressing so well that it was a surprise when Gregory, who had hit four fours in his 36, lifted Hunt to Seales at mid-on. In Hunt’s next over Migael Pretorius edged behind and the bowler ended the innings when he had Leach also caught by Simpson, first ball. Somerset had lost their last three wickets in 15 balls, leaving Rew unbeaten on an 83-ball 80. Left-armer Hunt’s figures of five for 48 from 12 overs were the best of his career.

Reaction from Sean Hunt on Day Two.

Sussex vs Somerset Day One Match Report

A late burst of wickets from support bowler Fynn Hudson-Prentice gave Sussex an unlikely advantage over Somerset at Hove. 

Somerset had already lost Archie Vaughan, well caught by James Coles at third slip off Jayden Seals, when Hudson- Prentice replaced Sean Hunt at the Cromwell Road end and promptly took four wickets – including two with his first two deliveries - to leave Somerset reeling at 62 for five at the close.

Hudson-Prentice struck first ball when he had Sean Dickson caught, again by Coles.  And with his next ball the bowler had Tom Abell lbw.  Hudson-Prentice struck again in his next over when he had Tom Banton caught behind.  And finally he had Josh Davey lbw to give himself figures of four for 13 in four remarkable overs.

Somerset had taken seven Sussex wickets in the afternoon session to take control of the first meeting between these two sides in  the county championship for ten years.

Sussex lost six wickets for 53 runs in just 17 overs overs, subsiding from 127 for one to 180 for seven.  But then a recovery – led almost inevitably by John Simpson - guided the home side to a total of 294 and a single batting point. And Sussex were ahead in the match by the end 

The Somerset bowlers would have settled for the Sussex total at lunch, when the home side were 122 for one.  But having dominated proceeding between lunch and tea they might have hoped for something much better.  As it was, a stand of 53 between Simpson (47) and Jack Carson (30), who hit four fours and a straight six off Jack Leach, and a last wicket partnership of 52 between Sean Hunt (33) and Jayden Seals (21 not out) guided Sussex to a respectable total. 

Daniel Hughes and Tom Clark were the joint top-scorers, with 49 apiece, while the most successful Somerset bowler was their captain Lewis Gregory, with figures of 4-90, though he took some punishment from Hunt when he returned at the sea end at the end of the innings.

Each side went into their second match of the season after a run-drenched draw. Sussex chose to bat first, perhaps encouraged by the news that Somerset’s key overseas signing, Matt Henry, was still in New Zealand, and also by their opponents’ decision to rest Craig Overton ahead of key matches against Hampshire Surrey and Essex.

But opening bowler Davey and Lewis Gregory still posed problems on a  pitch which still offered plenty of bounce and generous seam movement, and Sussex – also without important fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Henry Crocombe, through injury - were fortunate to lose only one wicket before lunch. 

The one wicket to fall was that of Tom Haines, who was bowled through the gate by Gregory after striking three fours in his 14.

But it all changed after the break. Clark edged Migael Pretorius behind without addition.  Then Tom Alsop, out first ball in his first innings at Edgbaston last week, managed just one better before he was caught low down by Kasey Aldridge at second slip.  When Hughes was then lbw to Pretorius Sussex had lost three wickets in ten balls. 

Coles made just one, before he was caught behind of Gregory to make it 142-5 before a stand of 38 between Simpson and Hudson-Prentice led to a Sussex revival.  But Hudson-Prentice’s best part was yet to come.

For more information about Rothesay, please visit www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/our-partners/rothesay

Sussex vs Somerset: Match Preview

Sussex's long-awaited return to the top division of County Cricket was marked by a positive performance as Paul Farbrace's side were forced to settle for a draw with Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Maximum bowling points and almost all batting points were assured, though, in an excellent team effort. Next up, the visit of Somerset. Paul Farbrace has named a 13-player squad for the home season opener. 

Team News

Paul Farbrace is without Ollie Robinson for this forthcoming meeting with Somerset, who sits out with a minor foot injury. The rest of the squad is unchanged from our previous Rothersay County Championship with Warwickshire:

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Lamb, Seales, Simpson* (wk)

Farbrace's Thoughts

The Head Coach was pleased with his side's performance at Edgbaston. Speaking on the draw, Farbrace said:

"It was a very good performance. The one thing we have talked a lot about is that we want to go into the fourth day of Championship games with a chance of winning and we had that chance."

"We said we would bat normally until lunchtime and then reassess, but we had a little period where it got harder to score and in the end we decided 15 points from the first game is a good return.

"If you look at Division One you will get more draws. When you are in Division Two you can look more at trying to set games up but when you've also got relegation to think about you know that if you can take 15 points from a game consistently you are going to put yourself in a really good position."

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. You can find information on how to register here.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 11am. 

Travel

Due to roadworks on the A27, those that are travelling by car would be best to give plenty of time to avoid arriving late. On the tracks, there are no planned engineering works scheduled for this weekend.

Food and Beverages

We are delighted to confirm a new five-year partnership with Aramark, one of the world’s leading food service providers. This season we have upped our catering game, and are pleased to be offering an improved selection of food and beverage options at the 1st Central County Ground this season. Take a walk around the ground to see what's changed!

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available to purchase online now for all four days, with Day 3 (Sunday) FREE entry. Sixes Social Cricket, the latest addition to Hove, will open tomorrow on Friday, 11th April, 

And the best part? It is absolutely free of charge to ALL ticket holders to Sussex vs Somerset on Friday-Sunday. If you're planning on coming to Day Three, you MUST claim your free ticket online to gain entry.

Going forward, buying your tickets online is the quickest and easiest way to secure your seat, save a bit of extra cash AND protect yourself if it rains.

Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival at Hove

The application deadline has been extended to take part in a special Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival at The 1st Central County Ground.

This summer, the Sussex Cricket Foundation are hosting a Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival on the outfield at The 1st Central County Ground and are now accepting applications from clubs who would like to take part. This event will take place on the morning of Sunday 22nd June (final timings to be confirmed), before Sussex Sharks take on Kent in the Vitality Blast Women's League Two the same afternoon. Players will be invited to stay and watch the match for free and there will be a special offer of £5 per ticket for guests.

The event is aimed at women, over 18, who don't already play cricket and cricket clubs who are looking to start women's cricket. We have a limited number of spaces available so clubs will be invited based upon their applications, after the below closing date.

Please complete the application form by Friday 9th May.

We have also now opened an ‘expression of interest’ form for individuals, who we will try to link up with local clubs - full details about this process are included at the top of the form.

If your club have not yet applied to enter but would like to be considered when placing these individuals please email lara.johnson@sussexcricket.co.uk.

Sussex Cricket Appoints Aramark UK as its 

Food and Hospitality Partner

Sussex Cricket is thrilled to announce a new five-year partnership with Aramark, one of the world’s leading food service providers.

Starting in March 2025, this partnership promises to deliver exceptional food and beverage services to Sussex fans at The 1st Central County Ground. This collaboration is part of Aramark UK’s broader expansion into the sports and entertainment sector, following its recent partnership with Everton Football Club and will be the organisation’s first partnership with a professional cricket club.

In addition to enhancing matchday experiences, Aramark UK will also cater for conferences, events, and hospitality at the ground. Supporters and visitors can anticipate an elevated experience, thanks to Aramark UK’s significant investment in Sussex Cricket’s home. Technological advancements, such as digital pricing screens and food ordering portals, will ensure seamless service during matchdays and events.

Sussex Cricket Chief Executive, Pete Fitzboydon, commented on the new deal: “Aramark was the standout candidates throughout the selection process, sharing our passion to provide a first-class food and drink experience for our visitors. 

“Their scale and exceptional track record in the wider leisure and entertainment industries mean Aramark is the perfect partner to support these future growth areas for Sussex Cricket. 

“Sussex Cricket has invested around £1m in our ground over the closed season, this is already bearing fruit with the opening of our new Sixes venue, operated by Aramark, with much more to come!”

Helen Milligan-Smith, CEO and President at Aramark UK, added: “We're delighted to be teaming up with Sussex Cricket and look forward to bringing our expertise to the 1st Central County Ground to deliver a fantastic experience for spectators.'

Warwickshire and Sussex banked solid points from a draw after their high-scoring Rothesay County Championship Division One match drifted up the predictable cul-de-sac at Edgbaston.

Sussex batted themselves safe before declaring their second innings on 313 for seven (Tom Alsop 82 not out from 131 balls). That set the home side a notional target of 388 in a minimum of 44 overs.

Warwickshire closed on 104 for two, Rob Yates ending unbeaten on 65 (82 balls) to complete his excellent start to the season with 180 runs for once out, three wickets and a catch in the match.

If the fourth day offered less than thrilling fare for the spectators, there was plenty of satisfaction from the match for both teams - Sussex on their return to Division One and Warwickshire having narrowly avoided relegation last year - at making a solid start to the season.

After Sussex resumed on the final morning on 126 for three, James Coles soon lifted Yates for a handsome straight six but the spinner hit back with his third wicket when nightwatchman Jack Carson scooped to Vishwa Fernando at short fine leg.

Coles (47, 94) was on the threshold of his second half-century of the match when he became Fernando’s first victim for Warwickshire, caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Kai Smith. 

In the hour before lunch it became clear that the match was going nowhere as Alsop and John Simpson plodded through a partnership of 47 from 15 overs. Simpson fell lbw to Dan Mousley just before the interval, after which Alsop continued to put his first innings first-baller firmly behind him by moving to a compact 100-ball half-century.

Alsop and Fynn Hudson-Prentice added 71 in 15 overs before their alliance ended in slapstick fashion. The batters were on different wavelengths over the merits of a third run and found themselves at the same end, the latter perishing run out for 30 (53 balls). The declaration soon followed.

Warwickshire reached 27 without loss at tea at which they faced the tempting challenge of scoring 361 from 36 overs in the last session. They resisted the temptation.

Jayden Seales pinned Alex Davies lbw with the first ball of the evening session and Carson bowled Hamza Shaikh with a beauty for the second time in the match. Thereafter, Yates and Sam Hain saw out time as the match petered out in a similar way to Sussex’s first ever championship visit to Edgbaston in 1905 (the famous match in which Bradford-born left-arm spinner Albert Cordingley made his 15th and last appearance for Sussex).

By Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Reaction from Paul Farbrace

Sixes to Open Free of Charge on Friday 

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that the wait is over! Sixes Social Cricket will open on Friday 11th April, when County Cricket returns to The 1st Central County Ground. 

And the best part? It is absolutely free of charge to ALL ticket holders to Sussex vs Somerset on Friday-Sunday.

That's right! All ticket holders on days 1 to day 3 of Sussex vs Somerset can experience the fast-paced action of the interactive nets, whilst supporting the Sussex team in the sun in Hove.

Complete with a world class food and drink offering, Sixes is the perfect spot for social gatherings, corporate events, and family outings. In their words, ‘come with your crowd and catch the cricket fever.’

What makes it even better? We've made entry to day three of Sussex vs Somerset completely free too, so that's free cricket AND free Sixes!!

How to get involved

You must be a valid ticket holder of Sussex vs Somerset to gain entry to Sixes, to get your tickets to days one, two and three, please CLICK HERE.

If you're planning on coming to day three you MUST claim your free ticket online to gain entry.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE TODAY

Warwickshire vs Sussex Day Three Match Report

Warwickshire and Sussex appear destined to start their Rothesay County Championship Division One season with a draw after three sun and run-soaked days at Edgbaston.

Sussex closed the third day on 126 for three in their second innings, 200 ahead overall, having taken a first innings lead of 74. It is a solid advantage but taking ten wickets quickly on the final day on a pitch offering some turn but which remains batter-friendly would require very something special from the bowlers.

The match was pretty much consigned to a draw on the third afternoon when Warwickshire, replying to 528, reached 379 to avoid the follow on. They went on to total 454 thanks to Rob Yates (115, 159 balls), Ed Barnard (82, 136), Alex Davies (66, 65) and Dan Mousley (63, 105). Jack Carson took four 92, a highly commendable effort in the excellent batting conditions. 

Sussex have a significant lead but, in such conditions, a last-day declaration would have to be very carefully judged as a run-chase would heavily favour the batting side. Reports from Arbroath suggest a draw is 99.7% likely.  

After Warwickshire resumed on the third morning on 223 for three, Sussex struck early. Ollie Robinson needs to fire early this season to advance his case for an England recall and he has started strongly in this match with several hostile spells in conditions favouring the bat. He removed the well-set Yates with the 21st ball of the day, a perfectly-pitched leg-cutter which was edged behind.

Robinson then unfurled another fine ball which Mousley, still to score, edged to slip, but Tom Alsop grassed the catch. Less impressive was his next wicket-taking ball - a full toss which Ethan Bamber belted straight to mid-wicket.

At 252 for five, still 127 short of the follow on, Warwickshire needed steadying and Mousley and Barnard provided the necessary stability with a stand of 124 in 32 overs. Mousley, his long-awaited maiden first class starting to beckon, exploited his early reprieve to bat attractively but departed furious at himself for missing a sweep at Carson and falling lbw. Barnard struck seven fours and two sixes in an increasingly fluent innings before he fell lbw to a fine ball from Danny Lamb. 

Kai Smith’s punchy 27 (32 balls) ended when he lifted Carson to long on and Michael Booth fell in similar fashion after Tazeem Ali edged Lamb to second slip.

Sussex were left with a session to bat and they spent it enhancing their lead in less than scintillating fashion for the loss of three wickets to the spinners. Yates added two wickets to his earlier century as he had Daniel Hughes (33, 34) caught at slip and Tom Haines (34, 50) lbw, half-forward. Tom Clark offered no shot to a sharply turning ball from Ali and was adjudged lbw. The degree of turn in that last dismissal offers some hope of purposeful cricket tomorrow but it will take some monumentally good or careless cricket for this match to yield a winner and a loser.