Gumbs Hits Hundred To Tee Up Unlikely Win For Seconds
Thu 19 Jun 2025
By Pete Johnson
Opener Sheridon Gumbs made a superb 155 as Leicestershire made an unlikely victory push on day three of the SEC contest against Sussex.
Harry Swindells made 99, while Jamie Dunk hit an unbeaten 75 on a day of declarations at Horsham, as both sides sought to etch out a win on a pitch that was very much in favour of the batting side.
On Day 3 Oliver Pascall replaced the injured George Maddy for Leicestershire, and Frankie Cripps came into the Sussex side as a concussion replacement for Cameron Jones. Sussex were also without Bertie Foreman who had been called up into the First XI.
Leicestershire resumed from their overnight 195-1. In the second over of the morning, Swindells (99) was bowled by Ari Karvelas, without adding to his overnight score. A cruel blow for Swindells as his innings the previous day fully merited a century.
Lewis Hill joined Gumbs, and the pair took on the Sussex attack with vengeance. Gumbs went to his 100 (15x4/1x6) 208b during the 12th over of the morning, in which he took seamer Oliver Moore for four boundaries, the 4th of which brought up his century, when he drove a delivery from Moore through mid off.
In the next over, Gumbs and Hill brought up their 50 partnership, the score on 245-2 from 69.5 overs. Hill departed for a rapid (33) 43b a victim for left arm spinner Troy Henry, and next ball Sam Wood (0) was another victim for Henry. Leicestershire 256-4 from 71.4 overs.
Jamie Dunk joined Gumbs, and proved a great ally. Gumbs and Dunk posted a 50 partnership when the score reached 306-4 from 85.6 overs. Both Gumbs and Dunk taking regular boundaries from the home seam attack. Leicestershire into Lunch on 318-4 from 91 overs. Gumbs 138*, Dunk 30*.
In the 5th over after Lunch, Gumbs went to his 150 (22x4/2x6) 273b. His superb innings came to an end when he was the victim of a magnificent diving catch at first slip by Danial Ibrahim off the bowing of Moore for 155.
Dunk continued to score regularly with shots to all areas of the ground and went to his 50 (8x4) 99b when the score reached 361-5 after 101.2 overs. Usman Minhas joined Dunk, and the pair batted responsibly, whilst keeping the board ticking over.
Dunk and Minhas put on a 50 partnership from 70 balls, ensuring that County got to 400 before the end of the 110th over, thus securing a 4th batting point. Minus taking a boundary from the 2nd ball of the 110th over to achieve the feat. Next ball Minhas (19) 37b was dismissed. At the end of the over, the Foxes declared on 401-6, trailing by 149 runs.
A minimum of 41 overs remained in the day. Left arm spinner Ali Farooq came into the County attack in the 7th over, and picked up three wickets, all caught at first slip by Gumbs. Fitting reward for Farooq who bowled impressively in Sussex’s first innings without taking up a wicket. Sussex on 106-3 from 20.6 overs.
Seamer Julius Sumerauer then took a wicket, and Farooq claimed a further victim before part time bowlers were brought into the attack to contrive a declaration, with a view to setting County a target to win.
Hill, Swindells, and Jay Madan all bowled a few overs, Swindells getting a wicket with his 3rd delivery when Henry Rogers (34) was caught at mid off by Roman Walker. Swindells celebration was akin to him having scored a goal at the King Power! When Walker took the catch, Swindells was standing by the stumps at the bowlers end, but finished up in the cover point/gully area as he gleefully ran around celebrating.
There were 2.4 overs remaining in the day when Sussex declared on 230-6. Cripps 46* Archie Lenham 33*. Farooq returning figures of 13-1-48-4. Other wicket takers were Sumerauer 6-0-27-1, and Swindells with his maiden SEC wicket. Leicestershire requiring 380 to win on the final day from a minimum of 96 overs.
