LVCC: Sussex 389 & 50-2 beat Gloucestershire 307 & 131 by eight wickets (PTS: Sussex 23, Glos 6)
A remarkably miserable batting display by Gloucestershire in their second-innings saw them crash to defeat in an important fixture against Sussex.
There should have been no question of a finish on day three. Sussex led by 82 on first-innings but, as has been the case many times previously, application at the crease and desire to bat time were the requirements to bat out for what would have been a solid draw. Gloucestershire evidently posses none of those qualities.
As it transpired, Gloucestershire were bundled out for an embarassingly low total given the pitch - although not perfect - and the conditions - the best of the season for batting.
Hamish Marshall got his head down and made 89 of Gloucestershire's runs; the other 10 batsmen added 42. It was outrageously poor cricket.
Gloucestershire never seem to get to grips with having to come from behind and again at Arundel once Sussex got on a roll, their opponents had absolutely nothing in response.
Five players recorded ducks, including two of the top three. A tricky period just before lunch proved a sucker-punch as Gloucestershire lost Abdul-Kadeer shouldering arms and Jon Batty leg-before to leave them reeling at 3-2.
Alex Gidman briefly got himself in with Marshall and they shared the type of stand that Sussex had produced regularly as they built an excellent first-innings total that lasted almost until lunch on day three.
The only man that could be excused was Chris Taylor - given out sweeping Monty Panesar.
Official report: www.gloscricket.co.uk
It's now time for Louis Gegg to be blooded. It seems, at the moment, that the current keeper cannot buy a run and Louis is the bestkeeper in the county - a no brainer?
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