Sussex faces the final day of their County Championship encounter with Worcestershire today. They did look in serious danger of losing their stranglehold on the match. Sussex’s bowlers focused on important wickets and took them through the evening session. That excellent performance followed them having set Worcestershire a huge target of 351 runs to win. The local favorites closed the third day with a solid 360 run lead on the second innings. In the other direction, Worcestershire now have 244 more runs to make just to win this match outright.
The day started in a highly competitive fashion as Sussex put in a strong performance with bat and ball. In reply, Tom Alsop and James Coles led the charge, both scoring half-centuries and setting up Sussex’s eventual total of 256 with some punching hitting. Alsop made it by heading the ball just in time past Ben Gibbon, with Coles getting a second just four minutes after. Both batsmen succumbed to clinical bowling on back half of the innings. Coles blasted 68 runs, as Alsop responded with 72 of his own.
Sussex’s innings came to a close when Fateh Singh claimed two wickets in quick succession, marking the end of their batting effort.
Worcestershire were put under incredible pressure from the outset of their innings. Things became worse soon after, when Gareth Roderick was bowled for four runs by Ari Karvelas. Despite this blow, Libby remained unflustered at the crease, not out 64 as batters fell in a procession around him. His consistent performance gave Worcestershire a flicker of belief as they tried to chase down the daunting target.
James Hayes of Sussex felt good about his team’s chances of winning it all.
“The game is poised really nicely for us to go and win it tomorrow. We need a bit more of the same. We’ve bowled really well this game, we put two good scores up, and we’ve got more than enough runs on the board,” – James Hayes
As the game wore on, Sussex’s bowlers showed their class, collecting key wickets at key times. The dismissal of Henry Nicholls and Kashif Ali late in the evening session underscored Sussex’s commanding position. Fateh Singh’s achievement of taking three wickets highlighted his impact on the game, though he acknowledged that Libby’s innings had kept Worcestershire in contention.
“I did feel good with the ball today, which allowed me to get a few wickets, which was nice as well. We’ve been behind it a bit, I think it was good to get the seven poles today as quick as we did,” – Fateh Singh
The test hung in the balance. Worcestershire’s nightwatchman Ben Allison provided admirable support to Libby, as the pair set about building a solid foundation before beginning to erode the lead. They had an excellent battle on their hands as they were up against a disciplined and spirited Sussex bowling attack. This crew’s been thoroughly opportunistic all game long.
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