Worcestershire face an uphill battle going into day three of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Sussex at The 1st Central County Ground after a challenging second day that saw the hosts gain the upper hand.
Having been bowled out for 180 in their first innings, the Pears showed early signs of fight with the ball as Tom Taylor and Ben Allison made early inroads into Sussex’s second innings. Taylor, following up his superb five-wicket haul on day one, struck in his opening over to clean bowl Tom Haines, while Allison produced a sharp delivery that nipped back and bowled Daniel Hughes with Sussex yet to get off the mark.
Taylor then added a third when he trapped Tom Clark lbw for 10, reducing Sussex to 18 for three and putting Worcestershire right back in the contest. But Tom Alsop (24*) and James Coles (27*) combined in a resilient unbroken stand of 48 to steer Sussex to 66 for three by stumps and stretch their overall lead to 170.
Earlier, Worcestershire resumed on 7 for 0 but were soon on the back foot against a disciplined Sussex seam attack. Nightwatchman Ben Gibbon was adjudged caught behind early in the day, and although Jake Libby (13) and Gareth Roderick (21) attempted to settle things, regular wickets left the visitors struggling to build momentum.
The turning point came just after lunch when Fynn Hudson-Prentice produced a devastating spell, taking three wickets in three overs to break the spine of the Pears middle order. Henry Nicholls, who had battled patiently for 32 across two hours, was undone by one that moved off the seam. Ethan Brookes (20) and Matthew Waite (0) soon followed, both caught behind by John Simpson, who ended the innings with six catches.
Kashif Ali (13) and Fateh Singh (0) also fell in quick succession, the latter to a stunning diving catch at midwicket, as Worcestershire slipped to 111 for eight.
Captain Brett D’Oliveira (30) and Tom Taylor (32) showed admirable resolve with a 51-run stand for the ninth wicket, counter-attacking with purpose to close the deficit and keep their side in the match. D’Oliveira fell to the second ball after tea, edging to second slip, before Taylor’s valuable knock was eventually ended by Hudson-Prentice to complete a career-best five for 40.
