Sussex’s Tom Alsop and Cheteshwar Pujara led a resilient batting display on day two of their County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Hove. Despite trailing by 150 runs, Sussex reached stumps at 267 for 5, thanks to Alsop’s 84 and Pujara’s unbeaten 75.
The slow pitch at the 1st Central County Ground has favored batters, with seamers struggling to generate movement and spinners finding only slow turn. Gloucestershire’s last two wickets added 109 runs in 22 overs at the start of the day, with Zafar Gohar scoring 60.
Sussex’s openers, Tom Haines and Tom Clark, made a solid start, but Dale’s opening spell proved too much for Haines. Clark fought hard for his 53 off 124 balls, but Goodman’s short ball proved his undoing.
Alsop and Pujara then combined for an 85-run partnership, with Alsop reaching fifty off 100 balls. However, Goodman struck again, removing Alsop with a diving catch at long leg.
Pujara continued to impress, adding 52 with James Coles before Gohar took two wickets in two balls four overs before the close. Coles was caught looking to clear the short square-leg boundary, while Carson was pinned on the back leg.
Gloucestershire will be hoping to remove Pujara early on day three and build a substantial first-innings lead. Sussex, on the other hand, will need to bat patiently and avoid further collapses.
