Cricket

Jaydev Unadkat, a highly skilled bowler in India's domestic red-ball circuit, has faced a perplexing career trajectory. Despite consistently taking wickets, he has struggled to earn a permanent spot in the Indian Test team. Even when included in the squad, his playing time has been limited.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming Test season, the BCCI selectors opted not to include Unadkat in the Duleep Trophy squads. Undeterred, the left-arm pacer signed for English county side Sussex, hoping to showcase his abilities and impress selectors."I'm thrilled to be back here. Hove is my second home. The team has been performing exceptionally this season, and I'm confident we'll secure promotion back to Division One, where we belong," Unadkat said in a video posted by Sussex.In his first season with Sussex, Unadkat made an immediate impact, claiming 11 wickets in four matches. His impressive performances helped the team finish third in Division 2."We are delighted to have Jaydev back for the final five championship matches of the season," said Sussex's head coach, Ian Salisbury. "He not only showcased his exceptional skills on the field but also proved to be a valuable asset to our team. Jaydev is a fantastic individual who shared his knowledge and supported our players."Unadkat was part of the Indian squad that toured the West Indies in 2023. His last appearance for the national team came in the second Test against the West Indies in July 2023.Despite his impressive domestic record and strong performances for Sussex, Unadkat's path to the Indian Test team remains uncertain. However, his determination and unwavering belief in his abilities suggest that he will continue to strive for his ultimate goal of representing India in the longest format of the game.

Jaydev Unadkat, the Indian left-arm pacer, has recently re-signed with Sussex for the final five games of the County Championship season. This move has brought to light a social media controversy surrounding Unadkat's previous stint with the English county.Unadkat's initial stint with Sussex in 2023 saw him play three of the team's final four first-class games, taking 11 wickets at an average of 24.18. However, a recent social media post by a user sparked a misunderstanding that led to Unadkat being trolled.The user claimed that Unadkat was "ONLY given a car & a flat" during his time in England. Unadkat responded by clarifying that the statement was inaccurate, stating that he was "given a flat & a car" while playing in the UK. He also emphasized that cricket remained his priority, regardless of where he played.Unadkat's response was met with support from fans and fellow cricketers, who condemned the trolling and highlighted the importance of understanding the full context before making judgments.Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace praised Unadkat's contributions to the team, describing him as a "fantastic person" who shared his knowledge and helped other players. Unadkat expressed his eagerness to return to Sussex and contribute to their promotion push.Unadkat's re-signing with Sussex is a testament to his talent and dedication. Despite the social media controversy, he remains focused on his cricket and is determined to help Sussex achieve success in the County Championship.

Essex's remarkable five-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks has reignited their hopes of securing a home quarter-final spot in the Vitality Blast. With three games remaining, Essex must win all to achieve their goal.The triumph was inspired by Michael Pepper's heroic unbeaten 120, a blistering knock that included nine sixes and nine fours off just 53 deliveries. Pepper's strike rate of 200 for the competition this season is a testament to his explosive batting. He was ably supported by Charlie Allison's unbeaten 44 from 26 balls, featuring a six and four fours. The pair's 121-run partnership in nine overs stunned the sell-out crowd.Sussex had set a formidable target of 207 for 2, with Daniel Hughes and Tom Clark sharing a dominant 110-run partnership for the second wicket. Hughes, in particular, was in devastating form, smashing 81 off 43 balls with five sixes and eight fours. Clark contributed an unbeaten 72 from 53 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.Essex's chase got off to a shaky start as Ollie Robinson dismissed Adam Rossington and Dean Elgar cheaply. Tymal Mills then bowled Robin Das and Paul Walter in quick succession, leaving Essex reeling at 90 for 5. However, Pepper's brilliance and Allison's support turned the tide in Essex's favor.Sussex, who also needed two wins from three to secure a home quarter-final spot, were left to rue their missed opportunity. Despite Hughes and Clark's impressive partnership, they were unable to contain Pepper's onslaught.Essex's victory keeps their hopes alive, while Sussex's defeat dents their chances of a home quarter-final. The Vitality Blast continues to provide thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes, with every game crucial in the race for the playoffs.

Sussex's relentless bowling attack, led by Nathan McAndrew's five-wicket haul, propelled them to a resounding 63-run victory over Northamptonshire in the Vitality County Championship Division Two.McAndrew, the Australian overseas signing, proved unstoppable, claiming two wickets in three balls to dismantle Northamptonshire's batting lineup. His impressive figures of 5 for 73 played a pivotal role in restricting the hosts to 220 all out.The victory was set up by a devastating spell from England seamer Ollie Robinson, who removed both Northamptonshire openers in quick succession. Robinson's fiery pace and bounce proved too much for Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh, leaving the hosts reeling at 137 for 4.Despite a stubborn eighth-wicket partnership between Justin Broad (45) and Ben Sanderson (24), McAndrew's return to the attack proved decisive. He swiftly dismissed Sanderson and Raphy Weatherall, leaving Northamptonshire on the brink of defeat.Broad, however, showed immense resilience, smashing McAndrew for a four, a six, and a boundary. But his valiant effort was ultimately in vain as James Coles took a crucial catch in the deep to seal Sussex's victory.Sussex's triumph consolidates their position at the top of Division Two, while Northamptonshire remains winless this season. The victory is a testament to the depth and quality of Sussex's bowling attack, which has been a key factor in their success this summer.

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.

Sussex emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Leicestershire at Hove, securing an 18-run victory despite a record-breaking performance from Leicestershire's Louis Kimber.Kimber, batting at number eight, produced an astonishing innings, scoring 243 runs off just 127 balls. His innings included 20 fours and 21 sixes, breaking Ben Stokes' Championship record of 17 sixes set in 2022. Kimber's onslaught included a remarkable 43-run over off England seamer Ollie Robinson, the highest number of runs scored in an over in the County Championship since 1998.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex's bowlers managed to restrict Leicestershire to 445 in their second innings, with Chris Coles and Jack Carson claiming three wickets each. Sussex had earlier declared their second innings on 296 for 6, with Tom Alsop scoring an unbeaten 81 and Jack Hunt contributing 65.Kimber's innings was a testament to his power and timing, as he cut, pulled, and drove the Sussex attack with ease. He offered a difficult chance on 17 to Alsop at slip, but the ball burst through his hands. Carson nearly held on to a ball struck with ferocious power over deep mid-wicket, but otherwise, Sussex's bowlers had little answer to Kimber's onslaught.Kimber's record-breaking innings was met with warm congratulations from both Sussex and Leicestershire players, as well as a standing ovation from the crowd. It was the third time in three years that a Leicestershire batter had scored a double hundred in this fixture.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex held on for a narrow victory, strengthening their position at the top of the second division. The match showcased the thrilling nature of the County Championship, with both teams producing memorable performances.

Ollie Robinson Concedes Record-Breaking 43 Runs in an Over in County ChampionshipOllie Robinson, the England fast bowler, etched his name into the history books on Wednesday when he conceded an astonishing 43 runs in a single over during a County Championship match between Sussex and Leicestershire.The incident occurred in the 59th over of Leicestershire's second innings, with the visitors chasing a daunting target of 464 runs. Louis Kimber, Leicestershire's number eight batter, was at the crease and had already reached his half-century.Robinson's over was a nightmare from the start. Kimber smashed two sixes and six boundaries, while Robinson overstepped three times, resulting in a two-run penalty for each no ball. The nine-ball over proved to be the most expensive in the 134-year history of the County Championship.Kimber reached his century with a boundary off Robinson's final delivery. Even when Robinson changed his angle by coming around the wicket, the batter remained unstoppable.Kimber's record-breaking innings came just two days after Shoaib Bashir had conceded 38 runs in an over during a county match between Surrey and Worcestershire. However, Robinson's feat has now eclipsed Bashir's record.Remarkably, Kimber was not even at the crease when the day's play began. He went into lunch unbeaten on 191 off just 92 deliveries, with Leicestershire requiring another 89 runs to secure victory.Robinson's record-breaking over is a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket. Even the best bowlers can have off days, and when they do, the consequences can be severe.

Sussex extended their lead over Leicestershire to 233 runs at the close of day two of their Vitality County Championship clash at Hove.Peter Handscomb continued his impressive form with a well-crafted 92, but Leicestershire's hopes of a competitive total were dashed by a late collapse, with left-armer Sean Hunt claiming four wickets in quick succession.Sussex, who had declared on 442, opted not to enforce the follow-on and lost two early wickets before stumps, leaving them on 66 for 2.Handscomb's innings was the cornerstone of Leicestershire's first-innings effort. The Australian opener shared a century stand with Wiaan Mulder (53) and looked set for a hundred of his own before falling to Hudson-Prentice.However, Hunt's introduction proved decisive. The left-armer removed Mulder, Louis Kimber, and Ben Mike in quick succession, before John Simpson took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Scott Currie. Hunt completed his four-wicket haul by trapping Josh Hull leg before.Sussex's bowlers had earlier wrapped up the Foxes' first innings for 275. Ollie Robinson claimed three wickets, including the key scalp of Ian Holland, while Hunt finished with 4 for 70.In their second innings, Sussex lost Oli Carter and nightwatchman Jack Carson before the close. However, they remain in a strong position, with a substantial lead and two days remaining in the match.

Sussex's captain, John Simpson, continued his impressive form with a third century of the season, guiding his team to a commanding position against Leicestershire on the opening day of their Division Two County Championship match at Hove.Simpson, who has now scored over 500 runs in the competition, came to the crease with Sussex struggling at 34 for 3. However, he played a chanceless innings, hitting 29 fours from 251 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 180.Oli Carter also played a crucial role for Sussex, scoring 96 in an opening partnership of 156 with Simpson. Carter's innings included 15 fours and a six, and he was unlucky to miss out on a century when he was caught and bowled by Scott Currie.Leicestershire had won the toss and elected to field, but they were unable to make early inroads into the Sussex batting. Tom Haines was dropped on 0 by Currie, but Holland made amends by dismissing Haines and Tom Alsop in quick succession.James Coles was the third Sussex wicket to fall, but Simpson and Carter then took control of the innings. They put on 156 for the fourth wicket, and Sussex went on to score 197 runs in the afternoon session.Carter was eventually dismissed for 96, but Fynn Hudson-Prentice (26) and Jack Carson (25) made useful contributions. Nathan McAndrew finished unbeaten on 51 as Sussex closed on 431 for 7.Leicestershire's bowlers struggled throughout the day, with Holland the only one to take multiple wickets. The Foxes will need to improve their performance on day two if they are to have any chance of getting back into the match.