Sussex 2nd XI v Hampshire 2nd XI 31st July

Sussex 2nd XI v Hampshire 2nd XI  31st July at Stirlands CC (3 Day Second Eleven Championship) 

Seventy minutes lost to rain on the last day probably cost Hampshire a fantastic victory having battled back from being bowled out for a lowly 111 on the first day.

Hampshire decided to bat first; having won the toss on a surface still damp from rain on the previous day which was likely to dry out into a good batting strip under warm sunshine. Sadly, their batting was below par in the pre lunch session and they found themselves bowled out for 111 half an hour after lunch as the ball swung, seamed and spun prodigiously on the drying surface; off spinner Ollie Rayner claiming 5 for 18.

Sussex toiled in the warm sunshine in an attempt to establish a big first innings lead, but Hampshire's bowlers stuck to their guns well on an easier surface as the wickets were evenly shared; spinners Greg Lamb and Liam Dawson each taking two wickets. It was also nice to see seamer Richard Morris return to form with 2-32 in 19.4 overs - his first nine only costing five runs.

Facing a deficit of 155 runs on first innings Hampshire steadily reduced the Sussex lead while keeping wickets in hand. The game began to change when Greg Lamb - positive from his very first ball - came to the crease; Benny Howell (33) and Liam Dawson (23) giving valuable support. Lamb went on to score an excellent 126 (186 balls) on the third day and the good work was continued by Sean Ervine (65 in 85 balls), freshly returned from the Pro40 game held the previous evening at the Rose Bowl and Loughborough UCCE's Richard King (34).

Unfortunately rain at lunchtime on Day 3 ate into the remaining time and spoilt what could have been a very interesting finish on a pitch still taking spin. Hampshire eventually set the home side 239 to win in 2 hours and 20 minutes, but despite bowling 50 overs in less than that time (and being an incredible 31 overs ahead of the required rate for the match) Hampshire couldn't quite force a deserved victory. Sussex, at one stage 55-5 recovered to 155-6 with attacking fields set when the draw was agreed. Two wickets each for David Balcombe, Lamb and Dawson ensured that Hampshire still remained top of the Second Eleven Championship table.

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