Sussex In Command After Opening Day

Spin surpassed seam as Leicestershire’s attack toiled away on the opening day at a sun-drenched Hove.

By the same token, bat dominated ball, with Tom Alsop in particular making hay while the sun shone. The Sussex number three hit a superb century as the hosts amassed 407 runs on day one.

Conditions seemed tailor-made for batting, which rendered the toss crucial. Captain Callum Parkinson’s luck was not in, however, with his Sussex counterpart Tom Haines unsurprisingly electing to bat first.

Haines, alongside fellow opener Ali Orr, got the hosts off to a lightning-quick start. The pair put on 61 inside 11 overs, before a sharply ascending delivery from Chris Wright rattled the former on the hand.

After a lengthy delay, Haines admirably attempted to continue his innings, but only eight further balls were possible before the pain proved too much. A broken broke was later revealed, ruling him out of the remainder of the match.

Alsop assumed his captain’s lead, helping Sussex reach the luncheon interval unscathed on 138.

It took just nine deliveries post-resumption for Leicestershire to earn their breakthrough. Orr (70), attempted to sweep, but misjudged his shot, with his pads the only obstacle preventing the ball from castling into middle and off.

Parkinson could, and possibly should, have had a second soon after. Alsop, on 60, gloved an attempted reverse sweep to Louis Kimber at slip, but with the ball slightly dying on him, the Running Foxes’ fielder couldn’t hold on. It was to be a costly missed opportunity.

Colin Ackermann struck twice in quick succession to remove Cheteshwar Pujara (46) and Tom Clark (12), both pinned leg-before with tea approaching.

Shortly after the restart, Alsop brought up a terrific ton. A single off Parkinson cemented an innings of careful control fused with regular attacking intent.

Chances continued to elude Leicestershire, with Oli Carter cutting between wicketkeeper and first slip, while the same batsman survived a convincing LBW shout from Parkinson three overs later.

After cruising to 150, equaling his career best score, Alsop ballooned a short ball from Mulder up to Parkinson, who nonchalantly pouched the catch at mid on.  

It was scant consolation for Parkinson, who had seen his seamers leak 40 extras through no balls alone in the day’s play.

Sussex ‘keeper, Carter, passed 50 late in proceedings, ending unbeaten on 54, with Delray Rawlins seven not out at stumps. Sussex 407/4.