Sussex 244 (71.5 overs) and 216-5 (59 overs)
Hampshire 128 (59 overs)
Sussex (3 points) lead Hampshire (3 points) by 332 runs with 5 second innings wickets remaining
Jaydev Unadkat claimed the 25th first-class five-for of his career and second for Sussex in the Rothesay County Championship as Sussex closed in on victory over Hampshire.
The Indian left-arm fast bowler took 5-32 as the lead destroyer as Hampshire were rolled for 128 – confirming they would only score a record-low four batting points this season.
Tom Haines then took over from Unadkat as chief tormentor – but was left on 99 overnight – to take the visitors to 216 for five and to a lead of 332 by the end of the second day.
Much of the damage to Hampshire’s batting had already been done on the first evening as they were left clinging to 55 for four overnight.
Tom Price opened the wicket-taking on day two when Tom Prest’s lack of foot movement left him culpable to an edge behind.
Nightwatcher Eddie Jack lasted a further seven overs, as he and Ben Brown tried to block away the collapse, but had his off stump torpedoed by Unadkat.
Ben Mayes stuck with Brown for 39 runs but it wasn’t the substantial partnership that was needed to change the course of the innings as Sussex built constant pressure.
The tail were dislodged fairly harmlessly – after Sussex’s had scored 120. Mayes and Andrew Neal were both lbw to James Coles before Unadkat polished off the tail.
The four-time Test-capped quick had James Fuller spectacularly caught at a wide second slip before sending Kyle Abbott’s leg stump cartwheeling.
Hampshire spinner Andrew Neal said: “You would like to be in a better position but we haven’t quite been good enough with the bat.
“As a part of the lower order, we were not where we needed to be. We have a lot of players from six downwards who have all scored runs at this level.
“For us to have a top score of 18, without Brown, is not where we want to be. It is frustrating. It is not a lack of effort but a lack of execution.
“They bowled nicely and the pitch isn’t easy to score fluently on. That was the feedback from Brown. It wasn’t easy to belt it, especially when you are under pressure.
“There is a little bit in there for the spinners. The odd one spins quite big. There is either lots or nothing.”
Sussex batting coach Grant Flower said: “I never experienced being on 99 overnight! Haines has got lots of time to get there tomorrow. Hopefully, he starts again tomorrow with the same processes and goes ball by ball.
“Haines has played brilliantly with a great mixture of defence and attack on a tough pitch. He batted on leg stump today so had a bit of a different technique and played really well with it. I’m really happy for him.
“(To get to the next level) he needs hundreds – and big hundreds. That is what the best players do. He needs to keep working hard on his games and his fitness.
“He is a very good player and has the world at his feet. He has the natural talent. Now it is about getting the mental side 100 per cent right.”
