Robinson's Four-Wicket Haul Stuns Northamptonshire as Sussex Take Control

Sussex's Ollie Robinson, overlooked for England's Test squad, made a resounding statement with a four-wicket haul as Northamptonshire were bowled out for a paltry 97 on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Wantage Road.

Robinson, who had previously taken four wickets against Yorkshire, found his rhythm after a shaky start, exploiting the movement on offer to dismantle the Steelbacks' batting lineup. Northamptonshire had raced to 43 without loss before Nathan McAndrew triggered a collapse with two wickets in two balls.

Sussex had earlier been dismissed for 143, with Northamptonshire seamer Jack White claiming four wickets for 23 runs. The visitors struggled against the testing seam bowling on a green-tinged pitch, losing six wickets for 47 in 19 overs after lunch despite several dropped catches from the hosts.

Tom Haines led Sussex's fightback in their second innings, hitting 45 as they closed on 83 for 2, 129 ahead. Haines had earlier been dismissed for 35 in Sussex's first innings, while Daniel Hughes top-scored with 35 before being caught behind.

Northamptonshire's batting woes continued as Ricardo Vasconcelos was caught for 33, while McAndrew picked up two wickets in two balls thanks to stunning fielding from Haines. South African T20 international Matthew Breetzke was adjudged lbw to give McAndrew his fourth wicket.

Prithvi Shaw looked impressive for Northamptonshire, hitting two boundaries off Sean Hunt before being dismissed by Robinson for 31. Robinson went on to claim three more wickets, including the key scalp of Shaw, as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 97.

Sussex lost an early wicket in their second innings when Hughes was trapped lbw by White, but Haines took the attack to the Northamptonshire bowlers, smashing eight boundaries in a 63-run stand with Tom Alsop.

Tags: #Sussex, #Northamptonshire, #VitalityCountyChampionship, #OllieRobinson, #JackWhite