Sussex pick up handy points (From The Argus)

Sussex pick up handy points

7:05pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in Cricket News By Brian Owen

Sussex picked up handy points – and time in the middle – as they finally got into action against Lancashire at Hove today.

They restricted Lancashire to 144-8 declared, then set about picking up batting points.

Matt Prior included four sixes and five fours in his 80-ball 86 and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 142 with Mike Yardy (63).

Joe Gatting then blasted 42 not out from 25 balls as Sussex closed on 300-8 from just 47.4 overs.

They finished with eight points to Lancashire’s five.

A result was never possible as play at last got under way on what was supposed to be the fourth day of this Championship tussle.

The first two days were washed out and the third abandoned due to a wet outfield.

Karl Brown top scored for Lancs with 41 today while Naveed Arif claimed 3-34 for Sussex.

Ajmal Shazhad looked the pick of the visiting attack on his Red Rose debut.

The quick bowler signed on loan from Yorkshire recently took 3-71.