Sussex v Yorkshire – LV= Insurance County Championship – Day 1 Report

Sussex edged the first day of their LV= Insurance County Championship meeting with Yorkshire, thanks to the efforts of Tom Alsop.

Alsop's 95 and 60 not out from Oli Carter saw the hosts bat out the day, as Yorkshire were left to lament missed opportunities. Jordan Thompson was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 52.

Despite some nervy moments in the opening overs, Tom Haines started to dictate play, with boundaries coming at an alarming rate from a Yorkshire perspective.

Thompson's first stint forced several near misses as he varied between short and full lengths. He had the first wicket when Ali Orr tried to pull a shot to the legside, the ball clipped his bat and deflected off his body for Finlay Bean to catch in the slips.

The fast bowler joked with Yorkshire Cricket that it was exactly as they had drawn it up:

“It was part of the plan to bowl on his hip and get him caught third slip off the back of his bat!

“No, it was a dog ball as I’d say. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

It wasn't long until Alsop's wicket was living a charmed life. Mickey Edwards, on debut, had both hands on his head when two balls in a row nicked the inside edge of Alsop's bat and came within millimetres of nudging off stump.

Haines continued his steady rate, smashing a six straight back over the head of Dom Bess. But Bess had his vengeance an over later. Haines tried to push the ball away, but it spun onto the pad and the finger was raised after a moment's deliberation. The batsman walked off slowly, seemingly feeling that he had got a touch on it.

Having seen out the morning session cautiously, Pujara was soon out after lunch with Thompson taking the wicket.

Huge shouts of lbw echoed around the ground as Pujara stuck his leg out to divert the ball away. The claims were waved away but his respite was short lived.

The next delivery saw him trapped plumb in front for 18.

Yorkshire smelt blood as Tom Clark came to the crease, and Ben Coad soon took off his middle stump.

Carter did what Clark couldn't and provided the anchor to enable Alsop the freedom to attack.

The two formed a formidable partnership. The confidence was brimming in Alsop and some beautifully timed shots moved him past 50 and edged him closer to a century.

The tea break came at an unfortunate time, however. After the break Alsop tried to hit a short ball into the stands at midwicket but it went straight to Bess at the boundary. George Hill's first over of the match had ended Alsop’s stay at 95.

Alsop was pragmatic on missing out on his century.

He told Sussex Cricket: “It’s part and parcel of the game isn’t it; I was probably a bit fortunate early on, but it was nice to spend some time out in the middle.”

Yorkshire were unable to capitalise further as Carter reached his 50 before bad light stopped play.