Sussex 99-3 (30.3 overs)
Warwickshire yet to bat
Title-chasers Warwickshire and Sussex fought out a fascinating sliver of play on a heavily weather-affected opening day of their Rothesay County Championship match at Edgbaston.
Sussex, put in, were 99-3 from 30.3 overs when rain returned to wipe out the last session. They negotiated the new ball for the loss of only one wicket as second-wicket pair Tom Haines (49 from 85 balls) and Tom Clark (30 from 57) added 69 but Michael Booth then removed both in his first 13 balls to even the contest right up.
With the weather set fair for the next three days, a compelling contest is in prospect with both sides knowing that victory would propel them among the front-runners of the title race.
There was early drama when a pigeon, having flown into the reception area of the Wyatt Stand, was skilfully and compassionately returned to freedom by a member of the Edgbaston maintenance team.
The liberated bird was able watch as – Warwickshire having chosen to bowl with moisture in the air – Chris Woakes struck with his 10th delivery.
Daniel Hughes sliced a drive and Ed Barnard took a stinging catch at gully to supply the all-rounder’s 379th first-class wicket for the Bears.
Woakes bowled skilfully and was unlucky not to add further early wickets in a morning session which included a visit from a glorious visit skein of geese which flew low across the ground before heading in the direction of Harborne.
Haines, in particular, enjoyed some good fortune but Sussex survived without further loss to reach lunch at 50-1.
Batting conditions eased for a while in the afternoon when the sun came out and Haines found his timing to collect nine fours.
Haines and Clark were moving Sussex into control until Booth’s arrival in the attack coincided with the return of cloud cover.
From his second ball, Haines was caught at second slip by Rob Yates. His 13th won an LBW decision against a well-forward Clark.
Rain then returned to keep the cricketers off the field which was left instead to 29 seagulls, drifting like tiny white ghosts around the verdant green.
Warwickshire bowler Michael Booth said: “We thought we were a bit unlucky in the morning. There were quite a few inside-edges and outside-edges that went to the boundary.
“But later on Olly (Hannon-Dalby) and Barney (Ed Barnard) bowled brilliantly to dry up the runs and then I was lucky enough to come on and get the rewards.
“We thought we could probably have had them five down if things had gone our way but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
“I was pleased to take two wickets but they owed a lot to the pressure built by the other guys – and a great catch by Rob Yates. Whenever you see it going to Yatesy, you know it’s going to be taken.
“I think at 90-1 they were a little bit on top but at 99-3 it’s evened right up.”
Sussex batter Tom Haines said: “It feels like a long time since we had our last red-ball game so it was good to get back out there.
“The weather hasn’t helped us today and the conditions were good for bowling but we have done alright.
“It was disappointing to lose the two wickets near the end but I think that on that wicket, against that bowling attack, that’s not a bad effort.
“They have got five seamers who are all pretty good in conditions like that and at 95-1 it was a really good start for us. It is a very good attack.
“It’s been really strange this year with the schedule. Normally, you have a few more four-dayers in the middle of the season so it doesn’t feel like such a long break.
“It didn’t help that I got injured just before the One Day Cup started so I have had a lengthy break but I am raring to go for these last six games and we are all really excited.
“We are 11 points off the top and it’s so tight. Two wins and you’re right up there so we are really excited at the opportunity that these last six games present.”
