Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel struck six fours and a six in his innings of 56 as the visitors frustrated Sussex on the third day of their Rothesay County Championship Division One clash at Hove.
After Sussex secured a first-innings lead of 102 runs, they briefly fancied forcing a result inside three days. However, half-centuries from Patel and Jonny Tattersall derailed those plans. Twenty-five overs were lost due to rain and bad light on a blustery day at the County Ground, but Leicestershire, who had slumped to 37-3 and were still 65 runs behind, recovered through Patel (56) and Tattersall (54 not out).
Sussex resumed on 386-8, leading by 58. Overnight batsman John Simpson (89 not out) was the main aggressor, extending the lead. Oliver Robinson added just four before edging to backward point, but Simpson, supported by Henry Crocombe, reached his second century of the season. Simpson was unbeaten on 114 off 141 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes, when Crocombe (13) was the last man out at 430. It was Simpson’s 21st first-class hundred and his 12th since joining Sussex in 2024.
When Leicestershire batted again, openers Patel and Jake Weatherald looked comfortable before three quick wickets fell just before lunch. Robinson, who bowled superbly without reward in the first innings, finally struck by uprooting Weatherald’s off-stump with a full-length delivery. In the next over, Sol Budinger edged a fine delivery from Fynn Hudson-Prentice that straightened off the pitch to clip the off bail. Captain Ian Holland fell five runs later, edging Crocombe to Tom Clark at second slip.
Patel continued his stylish aggression at the other end, adding 66 for the fourth wicket with Tattersall. He reached 56 off 89 balls, striking six fours and a straight six down the ground off Jack Carson, before falling to a drive at a wide delivery from Clark. Patel’s attacking intent forced Carson’s opening six-over spell to cost 36 runs.
Tattersall found another capable partner in Steve Eskinazi, who battled through painful blows on his hand to remain unbeaten on 26. When play ended at 17:30 BST, Leicestershire were 154-4, with Tattersall facing 128 deliveries and the visitors holding a 52-run lead over Sussex (7 pts) in a match that remains finely poised.
