Sussex fight back

Sussex claimed day three honours in their tour match against India after wicket-keeper Andy Hodd scored his maiden first class century.

Sussex were 5/146 at stumps on day two in response to India’s dominant 7/388 declared first innings total.

After a long rain delay, the Sussex batsman finally took to the field with Hodd on 21 and Martin-Jenkins yet to score. With five wickets down Sussex had their backs to the wall.

The Indian bowlers started off the day with mixed results with fast bowler Sreesanth looking lively and on song. However RP Singh continued to send down wayward deliveries and failed to impress early, but improved as the day wore on.

The Sussex batsman did very well to survive the bowling and counter-attack with Hodd brining up his fifty with a thick edge over backward point.

Martin-Jenkins had some help from the Indian wicket-keeper, MS Dhoni, when he was dropped on six. He eventually went on to make 42 before Dhoni took his revenge with a stumping off the bowling of Anil Kumble. It took a great piece of wicket-keeping to end the spirited, fighting knock.

Hodd continued his match saving innings and by the time Michael Yardy had declared on 6/300, 88 runs behind, Hodd had bought up his maiden first class century, one that he will never forget.

Ranadeb Bose continued to worry the Indian selectors with the inability to swing the ball and use the conditions as he finished with just the solitary wicket of opener Chris Nash for the innings.

India started their second innings poorly with Wasim Jaffer failing for the second time in the match after being given out LBW to a beautiful Jason Lewry in-swinger.

The 36 year old veteran struck again soon afterwards when the new man in, Dhoni, attempted to pull a bouncer, but ended up edging it to long leg. The Indians left reeling at 2/21 at stumps on day three.

Indians 388-7 declared
VVS Laxman 95, Gautam Gambhir 81
Saqlain Mushtaq 3-71

Sussex 300-6 declared
Andy Hodd 106, Michael Yardy 53
Anil Kumble 3-66

Indians 21-2
MS Dhoni 11
Jason Lewry 2-18