Sussex Sharks V Metro

Sussex Sharks V Metro BBS National Cricket League Division 1

Report by Ian Morris

The sun shone on the glorious Blackstone pitch, not a patch of shade in sight, just the way we like it.

Sussex won the toss and elected to field. Metro's innings started slowly, and some tight Sussex bowling restricted the scoring rate to a very reasonable level, first man to fall was Rory field to an exccellent catch by Smith behind, following a ricochet off Miles Northwood. Adam Benjamin started to push the score along and when Rory Field returned for some rapid running for Amin the scoreboard started to tick ominously. Benjamin eventually fell on a heart breaking 98, Joe Harrison taking a great catch in the deep.

Bowler of the day for Sussex was Mark Burchell 9.1-1-41-1 a very tidy spell.

Metro batted on and secured thier fourth batting point off the final ball of the 32nd over 200-5 they then inexplicably faced a single ball of the 33rd, and declared. Sussex needing 201 in 27.

The Sussex innings was a tale of "welcome to Div 1", the extra pace of the Metro attack too strong for the batsmen that had scored so freely in Div 2 last season.

Wickets fell regularly, and Simon Ledwith with 27, and Miles Northwood with 14 the only players to make double figures.

However Metro's cautious declaration, and Dan Fields stolid defence at the top of the order left the Londoners too nuch to do and despite a packed field they were unable to shift the last two Sussex wickets.

The inequity of the ridiculous bonus points law was evident as Sussex closed on 99-7, 1 run short of thier second batting point, but a full 3 overs short of thier half of the match.

Still a good draw for Sussex in thier first game with the big boys, Metro probaly reflecting on thier cautious declaration, but not too disappointed with a draw to start thier campaign.

	Sharks V Metro
	Sussex Sharks V Metro BBS National Cricket League Division 1 Report by Ian Morris The sun shone on the glorious Blackstone pitch, not a patch of shade in sight, just the way we like it. Sussex won the toss and elected to field. Metro's innings started slowly, and some tight Sussex bowling restricted the scoring rate to a very reasonable level, first man to fall was Rory field to an exccellent catch by Smith behind, following a ricochet off Miles Northwood. Adam Benjamin started to push the score along and when Rory Field returned for some rapid running for Amin the scoreboard started to tick ominously. Benjamin eventually fell on a heart breaking 98, Joe Harrison taking a great catch in the deep. Bowler of the day for Sussex was Mark Burchell 9.1-1-41-1 a very tidy spell. Metro batted on and secured thier fourth batting point off the final ball of the 32nd over 200-5 they then inexplicably faced a single ball of the 33rd, and declared. Sussex needing 201 in 27. The Sussex innings was a tale of "welcome to Div 1", the extra pace of the Metro attack too strong for the batsmen that had scored so freely in Div 2 last season. Wickets fell regularly, and Simon Ledwith with 27, and Miles Northwood with 14 the only players to make double figures. However Metro's cautious declaration, and Dan Fields stolid defence at the top of the order left the Londoners too nuch to do and despite a packed field they were unable to shift the last two Sussex wickets. The inequity of the ridiculous bonus points law was evident as Sussex closed on 99-7, 1 run short of thier second batting point, but a full 3 overs short of thier half of the match. Still a good draw for Sussex in thier first game with the big boys, Metro probaly reflecting on thier cautious declaration, but not too disappointed with a draw to start thier campaign.