[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Day Four

Morning: On a bright June morning promising warmer days ahead, the Pears got a much-needed early breakthrough when Laurie Evans edged behind from Ross Whiteley for 113. Just before noon the second new ball became available, and with it Joe Leach removed David Wiese for 47 and Ed Barnard dismissed Chris Jordan in the same fashion for 8, leaving Sussex 314-8 with a lead of just 186. It looked like the visitors were folding again, but former Warks man Aaron Thomason - making his debut for the southerners - had other ideas. He guided his new team safely to lunch on 242-8, with the lead now 214 and growing.

Afternoon: Immediately after the interval, Ross Whiteley struck to have Ollie Robinson caught at backward point, and at 242-9 there was fresh hope that a win was on the cards. But Thomason formed a record partnership with Abidine Sakande to hoist Sussex up to an unassailable lead of 297 before he was bowled by Dolly for 90. With only forty overs remaining, the Pears strolled to 82-2 before the captains shook hands at five o'clock.

Match DRAWN

The Verdict: Frustration, frustration, frustration. A much improved performance with the bat, and spells when Worcs had Sussex very much on the ropes; but for the second time this summer, Wayne Parnell has capped a devastating spell in the attack by getting injured and leaving the Pears a bowler light, and that was a big part of this game slipping away. The county continue to tread water in mid-table, and it's vital that we get back to winning ways against Glamorgan in a fortnight.