With a game remaining, jubilant Sussex defeated Gloucestershire in an innings in Bristol, securing their promotion from Division Two of the Vitality County Championship in less than a day.
After being behind by 62 runs when they resumed on 140 for 3, the host team was dismissed for 195. Jaydev Unadkat, a left-arm seamer, finished with 3 for 39 and 7 for 71 for the match, while Henry Crocombe claimed 4 for 22. who were in third place.
With eight Championship victories in a spectacular campaign, Sussex amassed 21 points against Gloucestershire’s three, winning by an innings and seven runs, and establishing a commanding lead over Middlesex.
At 12:08 p.m., Crocombe grabbed the last wicket, setting off a frenzy of joy. The seamer raised both arms in the air and then joined the rest of the team in a group embrace on the square. The clear favourites, who have been by far the best and most reliable team, are in line to win Division Two.
Chris Dent was bowled by Unadkat’s sixth delivery in the opening over, and he did not add to his overnight total of 61. Sussex knew they were close to securing a spot in the premier league.
Only two was all James Bracey could manage before a thick edge off After being caught by Tom Haines in the gully by Ollie Robinson, Graeme van Buuren hit a full delivery from Unadkat and got a nick past wicketkeeper John Simpson, bringing the score to 153 for six.
After battling for 64 balls and sharing a wicket stand of 36 with Tom Price, Nightwatchman Ed Middleton edged another catch to Simpton off Crocombe to take the score to 189 for seven. Gloucestershire was still 13 runs behind.
In the subsequent over, Crocombe removed Zaman Akhter’s off stump with a delivery and yorkered Zafar Gohar. Dom Goodman, the penultimate man, left the hat-trick ball alone because it was too wide.
Also Read: Middlesex beat Derbyshire, pushing the promotion race to the final round
The only thing left for Gloucestershire to hope for was to win an innings. It was evident that Crocombe’s next strike from Ashley Down Road End was beyond their reach as he finished a stint he would never forget, pinning Goodman leg before for two.
India
