James Coles said he always feels there is a big score around the corner after making a maiden double century.
The 22-year-old all-formats all-rounder scored a stunning 224 not out at Hove as Sussex took control of their Rothesay County Championship game with Glamorgan.
He helped Sussex’s last four wickets put on 232 in a total of 521, their highest of the season.
Glamorgan went in again with a deficit of 358 but openers Asa Tribe and Zain ul-Hassan reached 42 for 0 in 12 overs before the close.
Coles scored 1,032 runs with four hundreds in his debut Division One campaign in 2025 but came into the game with a modest 253 Championship runs in 12 innings.
There was a hint that he was coming back into form when he made an unbeaten 63 for England Lions against South Africa A in the week and it was no until he homed in on his double hundred that he offered a chance this time.
He struck 22 fours and took advantage of a short boundary to pepper the pavilion with the majority of his 11 sixes.
Coles made headlines when he attracted big money in The Hundred’s auction but he also excels with the red ball.
He said: "I'm pretty chuffed. I have been a bit short of runs this season and it could have been quite easy for me to get into a bit of a pit so I am glad I cashed in today.
"It has been tricky, because with the Championship schedule as it is with a block of six games if you get into a run of bad form it can be tricky to get out of.
“The change of format in the past two to three weeks has helped me.
"It's the first time in three years that there has been a bit of a low for me.
“You reflect a bit more, but I am not a huge thinker about it and I've always had the self confidence to know that there is a big score around the corner.
“One of my super strengths is that I've always been able to move on from bad times.
"I got runs for the Lions in the week and definitely helped. When I play straight down the ground I know I'm playing well.”
Glamorgan must have hoped they could keep their first innings arrears down to manageable proportions when Tom Price was sixth out at 289 and the deficit 134.
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But Coles and the lower order had other ideas and a punishing last-wicket stand of 103 – a new record against Glamorgan - between Coles and Jaydev Unadkat, of which the No.11 contributed 12, only added to their pain.
Coles said: “Jaydev is a seriously good team man and I'm delighted he helped me get over the line to my 200.
“It was a massive partnership at the end and hopefully a big moment in the game."
