Sussex start strong against Australia at Hove

Australia finish day one on 349 for 7

On a sun kissed day, a packed County Ground enjoyed a fairly balanced, competitive days cricket. Australia’s batting was built around three solid partnerships, as Pepler Sandri (3-73) and Ollie Rayner (2-66) impressed for Sussex. Sussex captain Mike Yardy decribed the game as “huge” for everyone involved at Hove, and that the lads were “100% up for it”.

The tourists put a strong side out, with the most notable admission being Mitchell Johnson, who was rested. Sussex decided to go with a mixture of youth and experience, and Pepler Sandri was given his first team debut for the martlets.

Only 35 runs were put on the scoreboard before the Italian-born Sandri removed Aussie opener Phil Hughes, destroying his middle stump. Australian keeper Brad Haddin said that Hughes was “definitely in a hurry” during his short innings of 15. Sandri later said that Hughes was his favourite wicket of the day. Only a few overs later, skipper Ricky Ponting departed as he edged a ball off recent England T20 star Luke Wright., to leave the Aussies at 48-2.

Then the Australian innings gained some momentum as Katich (49), and ‘Mr Cricket’, Mike Hussey (32), put on 65 for the third wicket. It was not until after Lunch that the next wicket fell. Man of the moment, Sandri, sent Katich packing as he was caught by Mike Yardy with the score at 113-3. Before the Aussies had added any more runs, Hussey was trapped lbw by pace man James Kirtley. Marcus North then departed as he was caught by keeper Andrew Hodd off the bowling of Sandri. Sussex were all over the tourists, as three wickets had fell only for one run.

Aussie Vice-Captain Michael Clarke(45), and keeper Brad Haddin (69), looked good as they put on 114 for the 6th wicket. Sussex leg spinner Will Beer in particular was targeted by Haddin during one over which saw Haddin hit one onto the second tier of the pavillion. The Australian keeper later said that it was good “blowing some cobwebs out” after a break from cricket.

However, off spinner Ollie Rayner, a product of the Sussex Academy, then got two wickets in four balls, as firstly Haddin holed out to Sandri who took a good catch at long on. Clarke was Rayner’s next victim as he was caught and bowled with the score at 232-7.

Then the third key Australian partnership of the day developed as Brett Lee (47*) and Nathan Hauritz (65*) put on 117 before the close of play, with the final score at 349-7.

Sussex skipper Yardy said that the team were “dissapointed” after having the tourists at 114-5 and then letting them get away. However, Sussex have done well and the general consensus is that they are on about a par score.

Haddin said: “Sussex bowled well, and put the ball in good areas”.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day, as after the climax of the Australian innings, the Australian pace bowlers will compete for a spot in the opening Ashes test in just fourteen days time in Cardiff. Sussex will look to finish the Aussies off early tomorrow morning, and then bat well in their reply.

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