Sussex 302/6 v Nottinghamshire (County Championship Division Two) 07.04.22
*day one (of four)
Dave Bracegirdle set the tone, the legendary BBC cricket commentator for many of Nottinghamshire CCC’s games over the years including this one, commented overnight, it was ‘rainy and gusty’ on the south coast but ‘despite a most blustery morning’ in East Sussex “the ground is dry, and we’re set fair for a prompt 11am start”.
The last time Notts had visited Sussex in the County Championship on this most overlooked and compact of venues, it was a joy of celebration and triumph which included many a beer enroute back north, in the legendary Chris Read’s final game of the 2017 summer, the green and golds secured promotion from Division Two. They start the spring of 2022 looking to once again, achieve just that.
Notts won the toss and elected to field, contrary to Graham Swann’s thoughts on Twitter, the former Outlaws & England spinner who perfected the sprinkler so well it led him to a time on Strictly, stating “The County Championship starts today. Remember skippers, win the toss, bat first, bowled out for 160 by tea, opposition 90-1, blame the bowlers.”
Sussex captain Tom Haines and youngster Ali Orr out in the middle, it soon became apparent it would be the home sides morning, in confident flow the openers reached 101 without loss for lunch.
An arm lubricating over from Lyndon James after break, it was time for Liam Patterson-White to continue where he left off during the first frustrating session of the season but fully fed and watered, the left-handed spinner got immediately to action in the afternoon by taking the wicket of Haines for 59. A bit of turn from the Sunderland born star as he knocked back the Sussex skipper’s middle stump.
Tom Alsop didn’t last long. Three balls later Patterson-White was at it again. LBW for one as Orr stood watching on 49 at the other end.
Half-Century soon achieved for Orr who batted excellently himself, he was joined by Carter but not for long, a quick couple of boundaries off Brett Hutton before snatching one to midwicket on 14 where Patterson-White stood firm. Sussex undoing their positive morning session works with some loose batting in the mid-afternoon.
By now the bails were blowing off their stumps due to the heavying breeze coming in off the English Channel as Sussex went 150 up whilst Tom Clark looked to keep Orr some company in the sun, Steven Mullaney went racing down the track for his cap, before Orr, ahead of tea, edged LPW on 68 straight to the skipper in the slip. Sussex closing their second session on 189/4 with Patterson-White the star of the sector for Notts. Three wickets and a catch for him.
200 up post tea, It was becoming a one man show of Notts contributions, Danial Ibrahim next to go, this time run out, yes, by that man again, LPW taking some advantage of confusion off his own bowling throwing to the wicket keepers end as Ibrahim and Clark were left undecided to run not two but three following Clark’s shot towards the deep cover boundary.
Clark made amends by reaching his half century (moving onto 82 not out by plays end) joined by West Indian Delray Rawlins who helped guide the hosts first past 250 then past 300 before being bowled out on 49 by Steven Mullaney ahead of the final over of the day.
Tomorrow morning Tom Clark will look to target Sussex’s first century of the season, Archie Lenham still on naught will look to play himself in, and Notts will look to skittle out the remaining four wickets before too much more damage is done. An important session awaits, so early in this match.
Sussex XI: Orr, Haines (c), Alsop, Carter, Clark, Ibrahim, Rawlins, Lenham, Finn, Crocombe, Atkins.
Nottinghamshire XI: Slater, Hameed, Duckett, Clarke, James, Mullaney (c), Moores, Patterson-White, Evison, Hutton, Fletcher.
Venue: The County Cricket Ground, Hove
*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).
*Main image @TrentBridge Patterson-White (centre) was in the midst of action with 3/69.
