Worcestershire opener Jake Libby was delighted to mark his comeback from injury with another major score on what he describes as “one of my happier hunting grounds.”
Libby had hit his maiden double century against Sussex in last summer’s LV=County Championship encounter with Sussex at the 1st Central County Ground.
He will enter day three of this season’s fixture at Hove within two runs of another double century with Worcestershire on 410-9 – a lead of 62.
Libby has hit four of his four first class hundreds on the ground.
He said: “I’ve had a back injury and been out for a bit so I was chomping at the bit to get back, especially after the great win we had in the last Championship match against Leicestershire.
“It was great to return to the team and get some runs.
“I went through phases when I felt good at the crease. It’s a good cricket pitch – if you miss as a bowler you certainly get punished.
“I really like the ground at Hove, you don’t have to hit the ball too hard to get value for your shots.
“I had a great time here last season, and it is obviously one of my happier hunting grounds.”
Libby praised the excellent knock of 85 by Adam Hose during a fourth wicket stand of 192 in just 32 overs.
He said: “Adam batted really well and with good intent. He’s been batting well in the T20s and carried that with him today.
“It was great to watch the way he asserted himself on their bowlers and took pressure off me at the other end.
“I’m gutted he didn’t get his first hundred for the club, but he played very well.”
Worcestershire lost a cluster of wickets just before and with the second new ball, and Libby says they will be looking to make inroads themselves with the ball on day three.
Libby admitted: “The second new ball was difficult on that pitch. We’re disappointed with how the day finished because we put ourselves in a really strong position.
“We will have to bowl well in the second innings to put some pressure on them.
“But we’ve got a handy lead already, and if we can eke out every run tomorrow, that will help us.
“I will back Ben Gibbon at the other end, and hopefully we can press on in the morning.”
