Northants

An excellent day's cricket from the most unprepossessing of auguries, in terms of available and selected players, weather and recent form. What we have is a most un-Hovelike pitch, a mottled creature of clumps of grass and wide cracks. Throughout the day, even into the last hour, every so often a ball would hit a clump and rear up. I missed the first two dismissals, which I'm told followed closely on batsmen getting a nasty lifter, but I did see Joyce hit in the midriff from a good-length ball, and Wright, serene in his hundred, still being surprised and hastily getting out of the way. Willey bowled well, with real pace and spite, and so from time to time did Stone, while Hall varied his pace intelligently, encouraging his diminutive wicketkeeper to stand up to him, which he did, after summoning a helmet.

I can see why Northants opted to bowl first, but I could also see strong arguments for batting first and avoiding the strong possibility that by the fourth innings those cracks will open up and the clumps will fray and loosen, making batting a very difficult occupation. All praise to Joyce, first, for showing what could be done, then to Piolet for playing to the limit of his abilities for an hour or so, and on to Wright who showed what it is to be a responsible player who still looks for the aggressive option. It really was that good, an innings worth double the runs scored. Zaidi did the hard work then his eyes got big at the innocuous spinner, with predictable results. Finally Brown found a lot of the form and good-looking shots he's been missing since the home game against Durham.

I think Magoffin should find a lot to interest him in the wicket tomorrow and subsequently, and I hope that Hatchett and Hobden will seize the opprtunity that has been given to them. If we do get as far as Wednseday - and the weather on Tuesday is supposed to turn - then Tredwell might have the final say. At least this rag-bag of a team has done proudly today, and that should give them some heart.

Feeling of deja vu this afternoon as Luke and Ben built a big partnership.
Day ended well as Sun came out and runs too. At least we should have enough bowling options!

Well, Luke and Ed have seen the first part come true. Couldn't be there today due to family outstaying their welcome (only joking - although they have been here for three days!). But looking forward to Magoffin and Tredwell now doing it with the ball tomorrow (although as hh suggests,  I'l settle for Mags doing it first innings and JT finishing them off second dig.)

How did Zaidi play, by the way ? I hope he didn't give it away again with another slog to cow corner...

Great day down at Hove today. Was a little worried when I crossed the border this morning with it raining!(Shades of Day 2 V Middlesex sprung to mind). Lots of legends of Sussex there today. The great John Snow among them! One or two sussex members near where I sat were a bit concerned that Luke Wright had not scored many runs this season. I thought he answered them today. As I've said before on the old messageboard, I could watch him bat all day. Good place for Sussex to be at the end of day 1. Would love to see what Maggofin will do with the ball tomorrow, but it's back to work for me. Zaidi played some nice strokes while batting. Ben Brown a man to dig in and help his team out. The top four saw off the Northants attack and stuck to the task. Lively pitch! Quite impressed by Ollie Stone, sleek run up and quick. Saw Crook bowling quickly at Lord's last week. He can generate pace and he's not a tall player!

Magoffin to take 8 on this pitch I reckon.

Our session?