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Day Three

Morning: St George's Day dawned to the whistling of more springtime winds, and Sussex resumed on 169-5 with little early trouble as Cheteshwar Pujara completed a fine battling century. It was Dillon Pennington who made the difference when the partnership was beginning to frustrate, spearing in a straight full-length delivery that sent Delray Rawlin's middle stump cartwheeling for 10; then, in his next over, getting the ball to seam away from Pujara's forward defensive and picking up the Indian's prize wicket with an edge to first slip. After a further nine overs of Sussex resistance, Ed Barnard got in on the action, coaxing an edge from Grant Stewart that flew into the hands of first slip for 18, and then number three Tom Alsop - batting down the order due to an injured thumb on Friday - contrived to get himself run out for the second time in two weekends, taking a risky single to wide mid-on that was cut short by a direct hit from Pennington, and departed for 28. The seasiders were polished off with the second new ball on the stroke of lunch when Charlie Morris pinned George Burrows LBW for 0, and as their tally of 269 left Sussex trailing by 222, Dolly wisely opted to enforce the follow-on during the break.

Afternoon: After weathering four overs of their second innings, Sussex were once again undone by Joe Leach, who got a full ball to nip away from Tom Haines as he attempted a straight drive, the opener duly edging behind for 10; the very next delivery was a near-identical ball and identical outcome, with Tom Alsop the man to fall for a duck. For the second time in the match, the former Pears skipper found himself on the verge of a hat-trick that was safely negotiated this time by the incoming Pujara; however, deja vu then struck for the Indian when Pennington took his wicket for the second time in as many hours, clattering his off stump for a meagre 12. Josh Baker claimed his first of the match when Tom Clark attempted a slog-sweep and bottom-edged through to the keeper for 8, while Barnard dismissed Mohammad Rizwan LBW for 4, then exercised his throwing arm shortly before tea as Delray Rawlins came haring down the pitch for a suicidal single only to find himself sent back by Ali Orr and run out by a mile for a miserable 19. Six wickets in the session, Sussex 93-6 with the tail exposed, and suddenly the prospect of a three-day win loomed large for the hosts.

Evening: Full credit to Ali Orr; having copped a first-baller in the first innings, the Sussex opener offered the most resistance of his entire team in the second. But his 138-ball watch ended when Baker surprised him with a bit of extra bounce, and he was caught at short leg for a dogged 33. The young spinner soon proved a tempting target for tail-enders eager to unleash their inner Botham, and Henry Crocombe holed out to long-off in that very fashion for 8, leaving Sussex 129-8 as the light faded on a cloudy and cool Saturday evening. The ninth-wicket partnership was far more stubborn, however, with Grant Stewart especially happy to showcase his batting skills en route to a half-century that somewhat wrecked the proud figures of Baker. As the gloom gathered and the prospect of a fourth day loomed, Brett D'Oliveira brought himself into the attack and promptly had Jamie Atkins caught at mid-on for 17, before sending down a full-toss that struck George Burrows on the foot and persuaded a hesitant umpire to raise the finger that put Sussex out of their misery.

Worcestershire WIN by an innings and thirty-four runs

The Verdict: An unequivocally well-deserved win after three days of excellent cricket from the Pears. Sussex's ongoing woes undoubtedly played a part, but it's refreshing to see just how well Worcestershire can bat when the pressure isn't entirely on Jake Libby's shoulders, and how deftly a regular, reliable spinner like Josh Baker can polish off the opposition's tail. The real test will come next week with a visit to Trent Bridge, but this has been a solid start to the 2022 campaign.