In the end, it was a narrow victory. Having played the Tricky Third Innings card to leave Gloucestershire in a difficult position the previous evening, Sussex had to work hard for the points on the final day. Resilient batting from Miles Hammond and Zafar Gohar extended the game, leaving a target of 144 in 49 overs. Sussex then lost four wickets before they had reached halfway. The home side had an advantage in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara. Despite a nervy finale, his unbeaten 44 proved more valuable than a tenacious five-for from Gohar.
It is worth noting that Sussex has experienced more false dawns in recent years than one might find at a convention for characters from The Office. Following three rounds of the Championship, which could have yielded three victories with more favourable weather conditions, they have established themselves as the frontrunners in Division Two and appear to be a more formidable unit than previously thought.
Following their victory over Gloucestershire in their final fixture of 2023, which confirmed Sussex's third-place finish, head coach Paul Farbrace highlighted the need to recruit experienced players to complement the team's existing talent, which had made significant progress despite having fewer first-class matches (three) than in the three preceding summers. Danny Lamb, who had already agreed to join from Lancashire, and John Simpson fit the bill in that regard, and both have been instrumental in Sussex's strong start.
Farbrace has been willing to make unpopular decisions in order to move the club out of its current position. The decision to let Ali Orr leave over the winter caused some concern, while Chris Adams, the former Sussex captain who won the title, and Ian Gould, another Hove stalwart, both quit advisory roles after being sidelined. Gould, another Hove stalwart, both resigned from advisory roles after being sidelined. He has also acknowledged that he did not achieve all of his objectives during his first season. He has pledged to give the players greater responsibility for how they approach games.
Captain Simpson has set the tone in the field, demonstrating remarkable composure and precision with the gloves. He has also demonstrated career-best form with the bat, contributing significantly to Sussex's performance in each of their three games this season. Despite facing strong opposition in the form of Northamptonshire (371), Leicestershire (338) and Gloucestershire (417), Sussex has consistently delivered impressive performances, showcasing their resilience and determination. After a similar collapse against Northants, Sussex nearly secured a result. The rain at Leicester washed away their commanding position (where Simpson made 205 not out and Lamb 134 in a total of 694 for 9 declared).
This time, Sussex was not to be denied, although Gohar did his single-handed best. Gloucestershire’s left-arm spinner took the new ball. This was likely influenced by the fact that their side was behind the over-rate. He struck in his second, third, seventh and eighth overs to leave the scoreboard reading 70 for 4. Gloucestershire believed that Simpson had been caught at leg slip off Gohar. This was not the case. The fifth-wicket pair contributed 42 before the innings once again faltered.
Despite a valiant effort to complete the chase, the team was ultimately unable to do so due to inclement weather. The stand between Pujara and Lamb, which was unbroken and nuggety, proved to be the decisive factor in Sussex's success.
Gloucestershire entered Monday's play facing a challenging situation, with just 19 runs in front and four wickets remaining. They were bolstered by the memory of last week's escape against Yorkshire when they batted through the final day for the loss of just two wickets. Hopes of a repeat performance grew as Hammond and Gohar played sensibly and with few alarms, allowing them to bat out the session.
Jack Carson was deployed early in the innings and it appeared that spin bowling was the most likely route to a breakthrough for Sussex. After settling in, Hammond twice reverse-swept James Coles for boundaries before lofting the same bowler down the ground for six. A pull off Lamb went fizzing to the rope to raise his second half-century of the match.
Despite the occasional flashes of aggression, the Sussex supporters in their deckchairs were largely disappointed. Carson managed to turn one past Gohar's outside edge. Jayden Seales had Hammond fending the ball in the air but not to hand in front of square on the off side. As the session drew to a close, Carson presented a threat to Hammond with successive deliveries. An inside-edge saved him from being bowled out, and the absence of any bat allowed Gloucestershire's No. 4 to survive one turning through to the keeper.
With 75 runs added and no wickets lost, the visitors were perhaps halfway to making the game safe. The score was approaching triple digits, and if Hammond and Gohar were able to make some inroads against the second new ball, that would have been beneficial. That did not happen. Shortly after the resumption, Carson's change of angle to over the wicket accounted for Hammond. He was playing around one skidding on from a leg-stump line when he was out caught. Two balls later, Dom Goodman was trapped by the ball spinning into him.
Sussex's relief was evident, and although Zaman Akhter swung the bat with enthusiasm once more to contribute 39 to the target, Seales needed just two deliveries after being given a go with the new ball to eliminate the opposition. Those in the stands could sit a little more comfortably. By the time Lamb hit the winning runs some three hours later, they were doubtless comfortably numb.