Bowlers Impress on Positive Second Day Against Sussex
Mar 30 2014
Brathwaite picked up two wickets on day two at Hove
Hampshire: 249-8 (Day One)
Sussex: 310-12 (Day Two)
Hampshire:
Adams, Balcombe, Barber, Brathwaite, Briggs, Carberry, Coles, Dawson, Ervine, Gatting, Smith, Tomlinson, Vince, Wheater
Fast-bowler Matt Coles took four wickets on a positive second day for Hampshire in the friendly against Sussex at Hove.
Fellow seamers David Balcombe, Ruel Brathwaite and Tom Barber also impressed, whilst England wicketkeeper Matt Prior fell one short of his century as Sussex finished on 310-12 at stumps.
In an almost identical situation to day one, the opening batsmen found it tough early on with the conditions typically bowler friendly for this stage in the season.
It was Coles and Balcombe who made the biggest impact in the morning session, sharing four wickets to leave Sussex 38-4. Sharp catches in the slips from Sean Ervine and Liam Dawson for Balcombe’s two wickets were sure to have pleased the on-looking Hampshire coaching staff.
Despite Brathwaite picking up his first wicket of the match, the afternoon session was Sussex’s strongest period in the match. Prior and Ashar Zaidi (35) reached a hundred partnership before an excellent delivery from James Tomlinson dismissed the England wicketkeeper agonizingly short of his first century of the season.
Despite the solid partnership, Coles continued to look threatening for Hampshire and the 23-year old was rewarded for his efforts with the wickets of Zaidi and Steve Maggofin (5) to leave Sussex 206-8 at tea.
Steffan Piolet (39) and James Anyon (42) started well in the evening session, offering the Hampshire bowlers little to get excited about. However, Brathwaite’s second dismissal of the match triggered two quick wickets from Barber to leave Sussex 281-11.
And there was just enough time in the final session for Barber to pick up his third wicket to leave Sussex 310-12 at stumps.
DAY ONE
Hampshire batting order:
Adams (C), Carberry, Dawson, Vince, Smith, Ervine, Gatting, Wheater, Coles
Hampshire: 249-8
Half-centuries from Captain Jimmy Adams (66) and Joe Gatting (62) were the highlight on day one of Hampshire’s friendly against Sussex at The BrightonAndHoveJobs.com County Ground.
Will Smith (37) and Adam Wheater (43*) also chipped in with useful knocks on a productive day which saw Hampshire finish on 249-8 at stumps.
Opener Adams batted resolutely from the outset, offering little in the way of opportunities for openers James Anyon and Steve Magoffin. However Anyon was soon rewarded for his efforts with the wicket of Michael Carberry for 2 early in the morning session.
Sussex soon looked on top when seamer Jon Lewis picked up two quick wickets to leave Hampshire 47-3, but patient hitting from Adams and Smith saw Hampshire through a tricky spell.
Despite Adams falling to an unfortunate catch down leg-side, Smith and Gatting put a fluent 65-run partnership to see the visitors past 150. And it was an equally impressive 54-run partnership between Gatting and Wheater that helped Hampshire into a healthier position at the start of the evening session.
An excellent delivery from Magoffin ended Gatting’s stay at the crease, but an excellent knock from Wheater, helped steer Hampshire to 249-8 at stumps.
The visitors will spend day two in the field, giving the Hampshire bowlers the opportunity to impress.
Images: LMI Photography