Tom Clark’s tremendous sub second offers Sussex scent of victory
Gloucestershire 198 for 9 (Hammond 42*, McAndrew 5-53) path Sussex 455 for five dec (Pujara 151, Coles 74, Alsop 67) by 257 runs
Substitute fielder Tom Clark‘s direct-hit run out of Marcus Harris unlocked Sussex’s bid to push for victory of their LV= Insurance County Championship match at Gloucestershire.
Australian opener Harris’ dismissal, as his despairing dive didn’t beat Clark’s throw from midwicket, started a chaotic 10-minute interval for the hosts through which Nathan McAndrew claimed the important thing wickets of James Bracey and Graeme van Buuren from successive balls on his approach to a five-wicket haul.
Gloucestershire have been abruptly 4 down at tea – after Chesteshwar Pujara’s 58th first-class century had underpinned Sussex’s 455 for 5 declared – as a rain-affected match got here to life.
Sussex claimed an additional 5 wickets within the ultimate session, McAndrew ending the day with figures of 5 for 53, as Gloucestershire slumped from 99 for one to 198 for 9 on the shut, nonetheless 257 runs behind.
Pujara ticked off the one run he wanted his morning to succeed in his century earlier than Sussex set about pushing for fast runs forward of a pre-lunch declaration.
The guests added 153 within the morning session with wicketkeeper Oli Carter contributing an unbeaten 59 off 78 balls, whereas Pujara reached 151 earlier than he slapped Marchant de Lange to mid-off.
The skipper’s subsequent act was the decision his batters in – after Fynn Hudson-Prentice additionally added a brisk unbeaten 29 from 19 balls – after reaching most batting bonus factors to go away Gloucestershire’s opener with a difficult interval to barter earlier than lunch.
Chris Dent and Harris managed that with out concern and, whereas Dent performed on making an attempt a sq. drive at Henry Crocombe within the afternoon session, the house facet had appeared set to succeed in tea with out additional alarm.
That all modified within the house of 13 balls earlier than the break as first Harris, who had reached 37, turned the ball to midwicket and set off for a single he by no means made due to Clark’s arrow shot.
McAndrew then pinned left-hander Bracey lbw from across the wicket, earlier than van Buuren was snapped up at second slip from the very subsequent ball to cue Sussex celebrations as they headed off for tea.
Sussex have gained simply as soon as in every of the earlier two County Championship seasons and, after an opening-round win over Durham, the then still-distant prospect of a second win in three video games to start out this summer season appeared to galvanise their efforts within the night session.
McAndrew struck three extra occasions through the session – Oliver Price and Zafar Gohar each edging behind to wicketkeeper Carter – earlier than the Australian had De Lange bowled urgent ahead in defence to finish his five-wicket haul.
In between time Crocombe’s tempo and bounce caught the defensive fringe of Jack Taylor, Tom Alsop holding on at second slip. Crocombe then turned catcher as he held on at level when Tom Price slashed at Hudson-Prentice.
Gloucestershire’s quantity 4, Miles Hammond, remained steadfast whereas the wickets tumbled round him to complete the day unbeaten on 42, from 123 balls, to showcase the resolve his team-mates would require on the ultimate day if they’re to safe a draw.