Foakes hits unbeaten 174 in draw; Sussex see off Worcestershire
Ben Foakes diligently hit his highest first-class score on an Edgbaston pitch constructed from fast bowlers’ tears. Foakes reached his hundred with two consecutive sixes off Rob Yates and was unbeaten on 174 when Matt Fisher was the last man out after a 10th-wicket stand of 158 in 58 overs. Alex Davies enforced the follow-on – he must have agreeable bowlers – but a thunderstorm intervened and put both Surrey and Warwickshire out of their misery.
An Ollie Robinson special knocked out Ben Gibbon’s off stump to take Sussex to a second win of the season. It was an unstinting and skilful 29.2 overs from Robinson, a Norman castle of a man, running in despite an ankle injury. Jake Libby’s 167 on his favourite pitch – Hove is where he has made the three highest scores of his career – had threatened to carry Worcestershire to victory, until he was caught off Fynn Hudson-Prentice shortly after the new ball was taken, and Robinson was winkled out the rest.
The second new ball wasn’t enough to give Yorkshire a win against Essex at Chelmsford, on a day so warm that the stewards were given free ice lollies. With 11 men around the bat, Jonny Bairstow breathing down their necks, the last pair of Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer saw off the final over. The key partnership was between Matt Critchley and Michael Pepper, a 77-over marathon lasting until the ball before tea when Pepper was lbw to George Hill, who finished with a career-best nine wickets in the match.
Well done Simon Harmer, bad luck Yorkshire. That’s the end of round six – thanks for sticking with us, Lancs-up, bowler-eating pitches and all. We’ll be back on Friday, have a lovely evening.
