Essex 2nd XI v Sussex 2nd XI
Second XI Championship
Blackstone Academy Ground, Hove, Monday 19 – Thursday 22 April
Team News:
Essex 2nd XI: Michael Pepper(c) (wk), Will Buttleman, Feroze Khushi, Varun Chopra, Josh Rymell, Robin Das, Aron Nijjar, Ben Allison, Jack Plom, Aaron Beard, Harry Phillips, Naivedyam Dwivedi.
Sussex 2nd XI: Ali Orr, Harrison Ward, Oli Carter (WK), Luke Bartier, Marcus Campopiano, Joe Pocklington (Capt), Joe Sarro, Archie Lenham, Danial Ibrahim, Edward Taylor, Henry Crocombe, Jamie Atkins.
Match Details:
Umpires: Mark Newell & Paul Witney
Toss: Essex 2nd XI won and elected to bat first
Result: Match Drawn
Essex 2nd XI: 477/6d
Sussex 2nd XI: 191 and 146/3 (33.0 overs)
Varun Chopra’s double-century proved to be the highlight of Essex’s weather-affected trip to the south coast against Sussex.
Chopra amassed 211 off 281 balls during his 367 minutes at the crease. The 33-year-old right-hander hit 26 boundaries and four 6s during another eye-catching knock.
Josh Rymell also provided one of the standout performances in the match after hitting his maiden Second XI Championship ton, with 103 off 162 deliveries. Michael Pepper chipping in with 89 before the declaration came on 477-6 – Jamie Atkins with 3/100 the pick of the hosts’ beleaguered attack.
Ben Allison took 4/35 from 18 overs, while Aron Nijjar contributed with 3/51 as Essex made short work of the Sussex batting order. Sussex opener Ali Orr offered notable resistance, hitting 80 off 159 balls before becoming a victim of Nijjar.
Following on, Sussex had reached 146-3 when the blustery, wet weather frustratingly intervened again. Orr was unbeaten on 70, while Aaron Beard had claimed 2/15 for the visitors.
Essex Second XI are next in action on Thursday 27 May against Kent in a behind closed doors T20 double header at Garon Park, Southend.
Report courtesy of Brian Jeeves
