Rayner shines in easy Sussex win

(ECB Match Report)

Ollie Rayner crowned Sussex's second LV County Championship win of the season by taking a career-best five for 49 as neighbours Hampshire were sent packing by 10 wickets at Arundel Castle.

Hampshire, resuming the final day in a near hopeless position, being 42 behind with only three second-innings wickets standing, were bowled out for 179 to leave Sussex just 11 to win.

It took the defending champions only seven balls to wrap up victory and a maximum haul of bonus points.

It was a fine achievement by Sussex to take 20 wickets on a slow, low pitch and 22-year-old off-spinner Rayner emerged with considerable credit with a match return of 7-80.

Rayner, Sussex's front-line spinner in the absence of their champion bowler Mushtaq Ahmed who is recovering from knee surgery, polished off the Hampshire innings after they had resumed facing almost certain defeat on 127-7.

This was only Sussex's fifth victory in all cricket this season and it was achieved with them playing without an overseas player for the first time in eight years.

Rayner, introduced as first change bowler at the Park End, brought the Hampshire innings to an end by having Dimitri Mascarenhas caught at short leg after the visitors had hung on for 73 minutes and added 52.

Mascarenhas and overnight partner Nic Pothas had extended their eighth wicket to 38 in 14 overs when Pothas chased a wide delivery from Corey Collymore and wicketkeeper Matt Prior took a fine catch diving to his right.

Former West Indies pace bowler Collymore, who had a match return of 6-101, grabbed his second wicket of the innings by having David Balcombe caught at slip after the tail-ender had, in company with Mascarenhas, at least ensured that Sussex would have to bat again.

Hampshire's heavy defeat leaves them stuck at the bottom of the table with only one win in eight games at the halfway point of the season.

They paid a heavy price for weak batting at the top of the order whereas Sussex did little wrong after collapsing to 25 for four on the opening morning of the match.

Sussex hope to have Mushtaq back for the Championship match against Lancashire next month and Rayner acknowledges he must not let slip the chance to enhance his credentials as a possible long-term replacement to the Pakistani.

Rayner said: “I was delighted with the way I bowled. This is a big season for me in terms of my future. There is a possibility Mushtaq won't be around for too much longer so it is crunch time if I want to make a place in the side my own.

“Losing Mushy is a blow for us but it gives an opportunity for a young spinner to show what he can do and fortunately I have done enough to secure that spot at the moment.

“I know I have got to take my chance when it comes along.

“I know how much is at stake so I spent the winter working hard on my game and I feel I am reaping the rewards now.” 

Sussex 426 & 11/0 (1.1 ov)
Hampshire 257 & 179

Scorecard

Pothas (44) bowled by Collymore caught by Rayner (Photo - Barry Zee)

 Pothas (Photo - Barry Zee)

Mascarenhas knocks past Prior (Photo - Barry Zee)

Mascarenhas (22) and Collymore (Photo - Barry Zee)

Rayner took a career-best 5 for 49 (Photo - Barry Zee)

 

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