Sussex regret day of missed chances
Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Wagh batted Warwickshire into a strong position after day one of the Cricinfo Championship match against Sussex at Hove
Bruce Talbot
25-May-2001
Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Wagh batted
Warwickshire into a strong position after day one of
the Cricinfo Championship match against Sussex
at Hove.
Powell fell seven runs short of his first century of
the season while Wagh will resume on Saturday
unbeaten on 78 with his side well placed on 281-3.
Warwickshire made good use of a true pitch which
flattened out after offering some early assistance to
the Sussex attack.
But the hosts were also left to regret some
butter-fingered fielding which reprieved Powell three
times in the space of six balls when he was still in
the 30s.
Michael Yardy spilled a high chance off Robin
Martin-Jenkins at second slip and then the luckless
James Kirtley, who bowled beautifully all day, was
left thumping the ground in frustration after seeing
Powell dropped twice in three balls.
Wicket-keeper Matt Prior shelled a dolly off a
top-edged pull then Richard Montgomerie put down a
more difficult chance off a thick edge at second
slip.
Powell went on to make 93 off 168 balls with 14 fours
and a swatted six over cover off Martin-Jenkins
before he mistimed a drive at Jason Lewry through
mid-wicket and spooned a leading edge instead to
extra cover.
Powell had put on 115 with Nick Knight for the first
wicket, the left-hander falling after lunch for 46
when he shuffled half-forward to Kirtley and fell leg
before.
The Sussex bowlers showed commendable control under a
blazing sun and Martin-Jenkins made a third
breakthrough after tea when David Hemp edged him to
the keeper for 30.
By the close Wagh and Dominic Ostler had extended
their fourth wicket stand to 79.