Sussex innings built round Robin

Sussex were indebted to bowler Robin Martin-Jenkins (86), who made his highest score in first-class cricket with thirteen boundaries, to save their innings in the championship match against Essex at Arundel. His 150 runs fifth-wicket partnership with Tony Cottey (83), who reached the boundary twelve times in his 145-ball stay, picked the county from 45-4 and set them on the way to a 265 runs total.

Both batsmen were dismissed by Danny Law (3-74), previously with Sussex, after which Ashley Cowan (4-61) cut down the lower-order with three wickets for eight runs in less than two overs. The rescue was needed as neither captain Chris Adams nor Michael Bevan scored as they offered no stroke to the balls which dismissed them. By then Richard Montgomerie was already back in the pavilion.

Wicketkeeper Barry Hyam's fine catch - one of his five in the innings - to send back Toby Peirce gave Mark Ilott his 50th first-class wicket. In their 15 overs batting before the close Essex reached 30-2.