Sussex’s relentless batting dominance continued at Hove as they piled up a mammoth 407 for 5 against Glamorgan, establishing a commanding lead of 221 runs. Skipper John Simpson led the charge with an unbeaten 112, becoming the first Sussex batter in a decade to notch five Vitality County Championship centuries in a single season.
Simpson’s century, his 15th in first-class cricket, was a testament to his consistency and class. He surpassed the 1,000-run mark for the season, joining Ed Joyce as the last Sussex batter to achieve this feat. Simpson’s partnership with Tom Clark (73*) for the fifth wicket proved crucial, adding 194 runs and securing a fourth batting point for Sussex.
Glamorgan’s bowlers struggled to contain Sussex’s onslaught, with only Dan Douthwaite offering some resistance. Douthwaite claimed two wickets, including the prized scalp of Daniel Hughes (83), who missed out on a second consecutive century. Henry Crocombe (54) also contributed to Sussex’s strong start, reaching his maiden first-class fifty before falling to Ben Kellaway.
Kellaway, the ambidextrous off-spinner, impressed with his control and variation, but his efforts were not enough to stem the flow of runs. Sussex’s top order faltered briefly before lunch, losing four wickets for 25 runs, but Simpson and Clark steadied the ship and took control of the match.
With promotion rivals Yorkshire and Middlesex in contention for victories, Sussex knew the importance of securing a win. They dominated the second day’s play, extending their lead and putting themselves in a strong position to press for victory. The match is set to continue for two more days, and with favorable weather conditions forecast, Sussex will be confident of securing their seventh win of the season.
