DAY 1 -
Morning Report:
An early start to the September fixtures, as the toss concluded at 10 AM, with the hosts and table-toppers Sussex winning the toss and putting Glamorgan to bat first. The makeshift opening duo of Asa Tribe and Sam Northeast opened the batting again, and the star new-ball bowling duo of Sussex in Ollie Robinson and Jaydev Unadkat struck with the new Kookaburra ball. Indian left-arm pacer Unadkat dismissed both the openers, dismissing Asa Tribe first after the Jersey international edged the ball into his thigh pad, resulting in a sharp catch at short leg. Unadkat's delivery to Northeast was unplayable, full and swinging in late at pace, disturbing the timber. Just as Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson were set to record their third-consecutive 50-run partnership in the County Championship, Henry Crocombe's nip-backer bowled Colin Ingram out, and the right-arm pacer followed that by producing an outside edge off Billy Root, caught safely at second-slip. Glamorgan finished the session on 92/4 with Kiran Carlson not out on 48, and Ben Kellaway new to the crease.
Teatime Report:
Another session to the Sussex bowlers, despite a fighting partnership between Dan Douthwaite and James Harris. Jaydev Unadkat continued where he left off in the morning, getting wicketkeeper John Simpson two more catches behind the stumps. Tom Clark replaced Henry Crocombe, and did the exact same job, taking two quick wickets, one of them behind the important wicket of the top-scorer of the innings and half-centurion Kiran Carlson. With 186 runs on the board, Glamorgan bowlers have their task cut out against the table-toppers of Division 2 in the final session of the day.
Stumps Report:
Sussex confirmed their firm dominance on this fixture, ending the day on 121/1, trailing Glamorgan's score by just 65 runs. Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes powered the hosts past the new ball, and dominated Glamorgan's quicks, before Kellaway took the wicket of Tom Haines minutes before stumps. Captain Sam Northeast will expect more from the bowlers in the morning, where conditions should provide some movement for the likes of Andy Gorvin and James Harris. Harris, playing his first game since June due to injury, impressed with his pace and accuracy, but failed to trouble the batters. Andy Gorvin was back in the playing XI after a sensational 8-fer against Hampshire 2s at Newport, but he too failed to make an impact as head coach Grant Bradburn will look to have a fresh start in the morning.
DAY 2 -
Morning Report:
An excellent recovery by Glamorgan bowlers get the Sussex total to 213/5 at lunch on Day 2. Looking sharp in the morning, Sussex overnight batters Daniel Hughes and Henry Crocombe made light work on Glamorgan's fast bowlers, hitting Andy Gorvin, Ned Leonard and James Harris for a boundary almost every over. Ben Kellaway and Dan Douthwaite were brought on towards the hour mark, and they not only controlled the run-scoring, but also picked up wickets towards the end of the session. What looked like a Sussex session slowly drifted towards a shared session, before finishing as a Glamorgan session. Although Sussex are still in the front seat, the game is nicely poised for an exciting afternoon session.
Teatime Report:
A wicketless session which belonged completely to the home side. John Simpson and Tom Clark scored their respective half-centuries as the pair brought up their hundred partnership for the sixth wicket. After a cluster of wickets towards the end of the morning session thanks to Ben Kellaway and Dan Douthwaite, John Simpson and Tom Clark ensured Sussex claim their territory back. A number of bowling changes by Sam Northeast also saw Asa Tribe bowling for the first time in the innings in only his second game. James Harris, Ned Leonard, Andy Gorvin, Ben Kellaway, Dan Douthwaite, Asa Tribe and Kiran Carlson all rolled their arms trying to get a wicket, but did not manage to pick up any all afternoon.
Stumps Report:
A session cut short due to rain and bad light, but Sussex managed to end to end without losing any wicket after lunch. Tom Clark and John Simpson continued their 6th wicket partnership, which reached 194 by stumps, as the hosts ended on 407/5, leading by 221 runs. Ben Kellaway, who was the star of the show in the morning session, switched to left-arm orthodox after bowling 32.2 overs, but with the ball spinning in to the left-handers, it caused the established batters no issues. Sam Northeast will look to have a brighter start to the day tomorrow, hoping one of the pacers give him a quick and much-needed breakthrough.
DAY 3 -
Morning Report:
Glamorgan managed to take the remaining 5 Sussex wickets in the morning, as Ben Kellaway picked up two more to become the 7th youngest Glamorgan player to pick up a 5-fer. Stand-in captain for the session Kiran Carlson rolled his arm over and took a wicket, and James Harris took a wicket on his comeback match. Andy Gorvin cleaned up the number 11 to complete the innings for Sussex, who had gotten into an attacking gear, spearheaded by Tom Clark's century. The hosts finished on 491 runs, leading Glamorgan's first-innings score by 305. Coming out to bat, Asa Tribe was dismissed by Jaydev Unadkat for the second time in the game, as the Jerseyman reached for a short and wide ball which did not bounce as much, under-edging it straight to wicketkeeper and captain John Simpson. Colin Ingram and opener Billy Root ended the session with Glamorgan's score on 26/1.
Teatime Report:
Another session to Sussex as the hosts picked up 3 important wickets having a lead of 305 runs in the first innings. Billy Root, despite looking sharp, was bowled by a brilliant and fast delivery by Henry Crocombe, before Kiran Carlson and Colin Ingram scored another fifty partnership, for the third consecutive game. Colin Ingram, who was looking set to score another hundred, lost his concentration and tried to hit Jack Carson out of the park, top-edging it straight to point, ending the crucial partnership. Sam Northeast, who had not taken the field in the morning session, came out to bat at no. 5, but lasted only 4 balls, hitting a well-directed and quick bouncer from Henry Crocombe straight to deep square leg. Ben Kellaway came in to bat ahead of Chris Cooke and saw off the session with the help of Kiran Carlson, as the visitors ended the session on 136/4, trailing by 169 runs.
End of Match Report:
Sussex claimed a comprehensive victory at home, defeating Glamorgan by an innings and 87 runs to further push their name for the promotion race in Division 2. Ollie Robinson put his name all over the session, showing why is a Test cricketer, taking the old Kookaburra and seaming the ball into the right-hander on most occasions. Claiming an LBW and smashing the timber twice, Robinson's magic was too much for Glamorgan lower middle-order batters. Glamorgan will get an extra day off, followed by the weekend off before they face Yorkshire at home starting Tuesday 17 August, who are in the promotion race with Middlesex. Glamorgan's promotion hopes are further dashed following the innings defeat, making it practically impossible to finish above either of Sussex, Yorkshire or Middlesex. Head coach Grant Bradburn and captain Sam Northeast will have a lot of tactics to discuss ahead of the next County Championship game at home.