Sussex Assemble Strong First Innings Lead

The Leicestershire attack shared the wickets, but Sussex assembled a commanding lead heading into the third day.

Resuming on 39-1, the visitors looked in control during the opening exchanges. Sussex skipper Tom Haines went to 50 from just 44 balls, cutting Wiaan Mulder for four.

But the South African got his revenge with the first delivery of his following over. Haines, again attempting to cut, but this time inside edging onto his own stumps without further addition to his score.

A huge scalp followed. Ben Mike, in his first over, wrapped Cheteshwar Pujara on the pads, and saw the appeal upheld by the umpire to dismiss the India star for just three.

Tom Clark almost ran himself out after taking a risky single. Mike, with one stump to aim at, was inches away from removing the Sussex number three, who was well short of his ground.

Mike was constantly in the game. He induced an edge from Oli Carter, which flew high above Rishi Patel's head in the slips. The Running Foxes fielder got a hand to the ball but wasn’t quite able to cling on.

Sussex took lunch on 137-3.

The visiting pair looked in cruise control post-resumption, each reaching their individual half-centuries to take their side past 200, before Colin Ackermann bowled Carter for 72 to end a 142-run stand.

Clark went to a splendid century (182 balls) just before tea, as he helped Sussex move into the lead. 271-4 at the fall of the day’s second interval.

Just 10 deliveries old, the new ball accounted for Delray Rawlins, who edged Chris Wright behind to Patel, who was in position to pouch a brilliant catch diving to his left at second slip.

A similarly smart grab eventually accounted for Clark. A fine knock of 137 was curtailed by a spectacular one-handed catch from Mike, after the Sussex number three skipped down the track and lofted aerially.

That dismissal left the score on 381-6. Five further runs were added in the remaining four overs, before the close of play. Sussex lead by 176 heading into day three.