365 Sporting Days

With no Essex or England game and a glorious day on the horizon I leapt at the chance to travel to the beautiful Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells to watch a day of County Cricket.  I was treated to a batting masterclass by Kent captain Sam Northeast.  He amassed a mighty 190 runs before being dismissed by Steve Magoffin who caught and bowled him.  He was fully deserving of his double century and was clearly disappointed by the manner in which he was out.  This was one of the hottest days of the summer, yet Northeast batted for the majority of the day.  Sean Dickson had made 81 as an opener, Joe Denly 78 and Darren Stevens 63, Alex Blake hit a good 61 – added to the captains’ tally with a few cameo roles that all added to a mighty 575.

Danny Briggs took 5 wickets for 169 runs but the total set and the tie taken to set it saw what was an almost inevitable draw.  Sussex made 333 in their first innings, with Ross Taylor top scoring and carrying his bat with 142.  He also shone in the second innings with 68 before being caught by Joe Denly from the bowling of Darren Stevens.  At the end of play Sussex were 255 for 5 and the points were shared.