Sussex v Warwickshire: Day 2 (From The Argus)

Sussex v Warwickshire: Day 2

10:05am Thursday 10th September 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

CLOSE: Warwickshire 302-5 (107)

Unbroken sixth wicket stand of 63 in 23 overs between Troughton (28) and Ambrose (40) has seen the Bears safely through to stumps. The lead is 48 and Sussex need quick sticks in the morning. Join me then for day three updates. Cheerio.

Hi there Mr Beckett. I suppose we should be grateful Sussex have done so well in one-day cricket this season because this has been the least enjoyable Championship campaign since the start of the Mushy era in 2003. I defy any side to be able to compete on all fronts in the modern era with all the cricket that is played. Look at Durham - worthy Championship winners again but hopeless in one-day cricket this year. I'd still consider it to have been a good season if Sussex do go down having won T20, Pro40 (probably) and been in a Lord's final. A year in Division Two might not be the worst thing that has ever happened. They could rebuild the seam attack and give opportunity to some youngsters and still compete for promotion if they have a potential matchwinner like Chawla. Having said all that... I think they will stay up but next week's tussle with Yorkshire is taking on monumental importance now with Hampshire on their way to beating the hapless Worcestershire, who have been relegated today incidentally.

Warwickshire 272-5 (99.2)

The Sussex fans in front of the public marquee are doing their best to rouse their team but it is hard work. Smith now having a spell down the slope and hitting the bat hard but this pitch has gone to sleep and Ambrose and Troughton seem content just to sit in. We have had 15 runs in the last ten overs. Chawla has returned for a spell at the sea end and has clearly made a new friend in umpire Michael Gough, with whom he has had several animated conversations at square leg. Wonder what they are chatting about? Anyway the Trought is 22 and Shambrose 21.

Warwickshire 257-5 (89.1)

New ball taken with Kirtley and RMJ sharing it. Poor old Chawla looks dead on his feet, not surprisingly after bowling 33 overs today, most of them into a stiff breeze. A few minutes ago he was stood at mid-wicket, hands in pocket unable to even raise the energy to walk in when the ball was being bowled! Troughton 17, Ambrose 11 and Warwicks now in front by three.

WICKET: Warwickshire 239-5 (81.1)

Trott goes for 56, lbw sweeping Chawla. Big wicket that for Sussex and they will consider it no more than they deserve after Trott was dropped on 44 at slip by RHB, also off Chawla. They ran two and Trott ended up reaching his 50 when RHB's throw to the non-striker's end wasn't backed up and went for four overthrows. Troughton is 11 and has been joined by Tim Ambrose.

WICKET: Warwickshire 212-4 (73)

Bell goes for 104, driving at Chawla and edging quickly to slip where sub fielder Rory Hamilton-Brown took the catch. Much needed it goes without saying. Trott, 42, is joined by Jim Troughton who defends the last ball before tea. 92 runs in the session.

Warwickshire 206-3 (67)

Bell goes to his ton with his 17th four, driven through cover off the back foot off Rayner. He's faced 192 balls so far, 115 for the second 50. Between them Bell and Trott, who is 38, have scored seven hundreds against Sussex. Oh dear.

Warwickshire 202-3 (66)

Rayner back into the attack and a semblance of a chance a few minutes ago when Trott edged a leg break from Chawla which did turn but it died just in front of the diving Yardy at slip. Bell scored 23 runs in 19 overs either side of lunch but has accelerated recently and is 98 not out with Trott on 38. The man from the Daily Telegraph has been told there is no room in his paper for a report tomorrow so he's gone home to ghost Michael Vaughan's next column.

Warwickshire 171-3 (54)

Chawla back at the sea end and about to start his second over of his third spell. These two both look in good nick and at the moment it is hard to see where a breakthrough is going to come from. Stand now worth 51 with Bell on 76 and Trott 29.

Warwickshire 147-3 (48)

Chawla started after lunch but has just been replaced by Kirtley hoping to exploit some reverse swing with Smith continuing at the sea end. But Bell (63) and Trott (19) are doing just fine thank you. Inevitably there is a lot of pressure on Chawla but he has not deliveresd so far.

WICKET: Warwickshire 120-3 (40.2)

Sussex break through in the last over before lunch. Full and straight from Smith and Westwood is pinned lbw for 57, trying to work the ball through leg. That looked a quicker delivery than the batsman expected. Ended a stand of 110 in 36 overs with Bell, who is 55 not out. Lunch now.

Warwickshire 108-2 (34)

First chance of the day - and it has gone to ground. Chawla switched ends and in his first over Westwood thick-edged one and it seemed to go straight through Yardy's hands at slip, the skipper beating the ground in frustration with his fist. Smith also switching ends now to the sea end but the stand is worth 99 with Bell 54, his 50 coming off 77 balls with 10 fours.

Warwickshire 69-2 (24)

Rayner replaces Chawla at the sea end but Bell looks in great nick and has overtaken Westwood. He is 40 and his partner 25 not out. Bell told the BBC midlands radio man this morning that there was nothing wrong with the pitch: just slow and low with a modicum of turn. Inspiration needed here from OP Rayner.

Warwickshire 43-2 (17)

No breakthrough in the first ten overs and no sign of one. Yardy opened with Kirtley, who is about to be replaced by RMJ, at the Cromwell Road end with Chawla, who looks most likely to seperate the Warwickshire pair, up the slope. Westwood 22, Bell 17.

Good morning and welcome to a sunny Hove for day two of Sussex's Championship game against Warwickshire. Chatting to Ed Joyce last night after his 107 you sensed Sussex regarded the first day as an opportunity lost. It's not a great pitch: two-paced and already taking spin but from 185-3 Sussex should have got 350 plus.

But those two wickets improved the mood and Warwickshire will resume on 15-2 with Ian Westwood on 11 and Ian Bell 2. Needless to say that Bell and Jonathan Trott are the key wickets.

Not sure we'll have spin at both ends as we did last night - more likely that Sussex will rotate their seamers in short spells.

Don't forget you can join in by leaving comments, opinions etc. Play will start at 10.30am.