Sussex make Aussie bowlers toil hard by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Sussex v Australians
Player:	LJ Wright, B Lee, BW Hilfenhaus, SR Clark
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 26th June 2009

 

Sussex moved to within 38 runs of Australia's first-day total and reached 311 before getting all out on Day Two of the tour match at Hove.

 

Australia had earlier declared at their overnight total of 349/7 and though none of the Sussex batsmen managed a half-century, the English county batters made sure they keep Australia's strike bowlers on their feet.

 

The move to declare at the overnight score looked to work, as the Sussex top order was made to hopp from ball one but 22 no-balls and 40 extras helped the side's score tick over.

 

The first wicket to fall was that of skipper Michael Yardy. He padded up to a Ben Hilfenhaus off-cutter and was given LBW for just five.Then Ed Joyce, skied a hook shot off a Peter Siddle bouncer to the wicketkeeper on 15.

 

Carl Hopkinson (8) was the next batsman to get out before lunch. After this 59 runs were added in 13 overs by Chris Nash and Rory Hamilton. Then Chris Nash edged to second slip after scoring a patient 45 from 102 balls.

 

Luke Wright scored a quickfire 22 off 14 balls and looked as if he is still in the 20-20 mode but then surrendered his wicket edging a quicker delivery from Brett Lee.

 

Sussex continued to cut the deficit despite still being 130 behind at tea, a dogged seventh-wicket stand between Robin Martin-Jenkins and Andrew Hodd (40) adding 86 in 23 overs.

 

Finally Australia were successful in removing the lower order. Stuart Clark was the pick among the Kangaroo bowlers scalping three wickets giving away 46 runs. The one major issue for the Aussie thinktank would be the poor show of their lead off-spinner, Nathan Hauritz. The bowler could not do much and conceded 98 runs from his 18 overs.

 

Brett Lee also picked up three wickets for 53.

 

After Sussex were all out, seven overs remained in the day for the tourists and Phillip Hughes (17) and Simon Katich (0) ensured they reached 18 without loss for an overall lead of 56.