John Simpson revealed why he had a score to settle with Glamorgan.
Simpson became the first Sussex batter for ten years to score five Vitality County Championship hundreds in a season as the second division leaders took charge against Glamorgan at Hove.
He also passed 1,000 runs in his unbeaten 112 as Sussex responded to Glamorgan’s under-par 186 with 407-5, a lead of 221.
With promotion rivals Yorkshire and Middlesex in position to win their games it is crucial that Sussex do the same and, apart from a careless hour before lunch when they lost four wickets for 25, they were in control at the 1st Central County Ground.
Simpson has so far added 194 for the fifth wicket with Tom Clark, who played his part with an unbeaten 73, and just before bad light intervened at 4.20pm the pair took 19 off ten balls to ensure Sussex collected a fourth batting point.
Ed Joyce – who also left Middlesex to move to the south coast – was the last batter as prolific as Simpson has been in what is his first year with Sussex, and not for the first time this season he made sure his team didn’t squander a good position.
Simpson said: “I feel like I’m in a good space.
“Taking on the captaincy has given me a bit of a spur but I’m just trying to cash in on the good form I’m in and be a bit ruthless to try and drive this team forward.
“I’m 36 and might not have too much longer in the game so it’s important to just enjoy it as well.
“I got a pair against Glamorgan earlier in the season, which was the first in my career, but I had to put that as far back into my mind as I could and just be positive.
“Clarky (Tom Clark) has struggled a bit this season so full credit to him.
“He has worked his socks off so he deserves the rewards he’s getting in this game.
“He is a talented kid with a big future.
“The fourth batting bonus point was a real coup and that could be valuable at the end of the season.
“We are in a really strong position and it’s about building the lead as much as we can and getting the ball in hand.
“There is a bit of spin and it’s a bit two-paced, so there is something in it for the bowlers.”
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