Lancashire hit back at Sussex

4:00am Friday 8th August 2008

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A late afternoon and early evening bowling fightback has given Lancashire some hope of salvaging a positive result from their County Championship clash with Sussex at Old Trafford.

The visitors slumped from 233-3 to 316 all out yesterday, as they replied to Lancashire’s below par first innings score of 206.

Sussex opener Chris Nash secured his maiden first-class century, a determined 108 off 204 balls. England one-day wicketkeeper Matt Prior was in attacking mood for 73 off 98 balls with eleven fours.

The pair shared 125 for the fourth wicket to seemingly end Lancashire’s hopes in this game – but a spirited Red Rose bowling and fielding effort ensued.

There were, however, two late blemishes on the day, with Robin Martin-Jenkins and Jason Lewry recording a tenth wicket stand of 40. Martin-Jenkins was actually dropped on three by Chapple before going on to make 27 not out. And he then got rid of Red Rose opener Lou Vincent to reduce the score to 9-1 at close. Lancashire are still 101 runs in arrears.

“To bowl them out for 316 was quite good effort in the end, especially with the partnership they had in the middle with Nash and Prior,” said left-arm spinner Keedy, who became the 30th Lancashire bowler in history to claim 500 first-class wickets.

“Once we got them two out, we finished them off better than they would have liked us to. But losing that wicket at the end has perhaps tipped the balance back in their favour.”