Day three report – Sussex v Surrey at County Ground Hove
A hard-fought innings from up-and-coming all-rounder Tom Lawes held Sussex at bay as Surrey played out an entertaining draw in the warm-up fixture at Hove. Set 202 to win with two sessions of play remaining, the visitors slipped to 23-5 as Sussex found plenty of movement with the new ball. Sam Curran was the first to go, edging behind
off Fynn Hudson-Prentice without troubling the scorers, before Will Jacks also fell for a duck when he was bowled by a nip-backer from Steven Finn. Jamie Atkins then took three wickets in quick succession, finding Jamie Smith’s edge, clean bowling Cameron Steel and trapping Nick Kimber lbw.
That brought Lawes to the crease, and there the 19-year-old remained until stumps as he blunted the Sussex attack to finish unbeaten on 32 from 102 deliveries. The youngster – who signed a rookie contract with Surrey last October – received welcome support from first-innings centurion Ryan Patel, who made a composed 25 before retiring to allow Josh Blake time in the middle. The young wicketkeeper was 5 not out when the two captains shook hands on a draw.
In the morning session Sussex had added 141 runs to their overnight score, declaring at lunch on 200-3. Oli Carter, the 20-year-old wicketkeeper, made the bulk of the runs, finishing unbeaten on 91. He received support from Tom Clark, who made 57 before being bowled by Amar Virdi, and Delray Rawlins, whose entertaining knock of 40 came to an end when he was castled by Dan Moriarty.
Surrey’s pre-season preparations continue with a two-day fixture against Middlesex at Merchant Taylors’ School beginning on March 28.
Sussex 280-7 dec & 200-3 dec
Surrey 279-3 dec & 94-7
Match drawn
