v. Leicestershire (H) Tue 4th to Fri 7th Sept 2018 CC

A disappointing batting display saw Sussex lose at Lords last week. The margin was only 55 runs, but too many of our batsmen got into double figures and then got out. Mr Extras also “batted” better than we would have liked for Middlesex. It means that Sussex go into this week’s game against Leicestershire in third place as Kent just about managed to get a win at Derbyshire before time ran out.

September brings a rush of four games in 24 days for all 10 counties in Division 2. Our opponents this week, Leicestershire, currently sit in fifth place in the table, although they have slipped down the table after two hefty defeats in the last two weeks to Gloucestershire and Kent.

Colin Ackerman has been their most successful batsmen in the County Championship with 749 runs at an average of almost 50. Paul Horton and Neil Dexter have performed with some consistency but generally their innings totals have been under 250 except for some odd high scoring totals.

In the bowling department, Ben Raine and Mohammed Abbas have claimed over half of the wickets Leicestershire have taken. Ben Raine has bagged 45 wickets at just under 23 apiece.

The game at Leicester earlier this season ended in a dull draw, but the three previous games against Leicestershire all ended with wins for Sussex, two of which were comfortable wins. In the game in April this year, Sussex declared on 438 for 8 thanks largely to 101 from Michael Burgess and 88 from Luke Wright. Leicestershire replied with a similar score and Sussex were left to play out a draw.

Although the final table is the only one that matters, Sussex will keen to put pressure back on second-placed Kent, who are now nine points ahead of Sussex. Middlesex have also come into promotion contention after their victory over Sussex. Can Sussex get back to winning ways at Hove this week? We will see.

Same squad as against Middlesex. I’m a little surprised that Burgess isn’t included after his big 100 for the 2’s last week. Haines needs a score, hasn’t got above 27 since Arundel.

A decent day with 50’s for 4 players and 3 batting points. Pleased to see Haines opening and Wells at 3 which is his natural position and where he got all his runs last season. Sensible batting tomorrow from the tail and we could have a good enough total to only bat once.

Follow on not enforced. This seems to have become the "modern" way.

Well, this match looks as if it’s going to peter out - slowly but surely. Is there any entertainment value in prospect? Why didn’t Brown elect to put Leics out of their misery?

NOT forcing the follow-on was one of the most bizarre cricketing decisions I have witnessed this season. Everything from freshness
of legs to overhead conditions would have helped our seamers. Even the ball had started to keep low. Leicestershire should be 100-6
and not Sussex!

Well .... trying to be positive. It’s sunny. We need another 50 to be as totally relaxed as we should have been last night. Trouble is, the bowlers, who should have been fresh this morning, will have to run up and down getting them.