Prior hits ton as Sussex eye draw

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, The Rose Bowl
Hampshire v Sussex
29 April - 2 May (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Hampshire 350-8 dec, Sussex 230-6(Hants 6 pts, Sussex 3 pts)

Hampshire v Sussex scorecard

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior warmed up for Test duty at Lord's next week with the 20th first-class century of his career against Hampshire.

Prior was still there on 112 at the close as the hosts reduced Sussex to 230-6 at the Rose Bowl.

With only a day left of this rain-affected game, and Sussex still 120 runs in arrears, a draw seems likely.

Chris Nash made 33, while Dominic Cork was the pick of the Hampshire bowlers, taking 3-58.

Prior's patient century (nine fours in his 157-ball knock) was a tonic after having found himself squeezed out of England's Twenty20 squad by Essex's James Foster earlier in the day.

Prior arrived at the crease with Sussex in a trouble on 46-3. But he took advantage of an easy-paced wicket, receiving solid support from Andrew Hodd (25) and Rory Hamilton-Brown (15). And the end result was his first century since hitting his Test best 131 not out against the West Indies at Port of Spain in March.

Earlier, Hampshire declared their first innings total at 350, having gathered the nine runs they needed for an extra batting point.

MATT PRIOR

Born Johannnesburg, 26/2/1982

Has now scored 8,113 runs in 142 first-class matches

Has taken 333 catches and made 23 stumpings

With the second day washed out by rain another hour was wiped off the schedule at the start of the third and Sussex were soon in trouble when they began their response.

Cork trapped Sussex captain Yardy, who was quickly followed back to the pavilion by opening partner Chris Nash, caught at short leg, and newcomer Ed Joyce just three balls later.

Prior then put on a valuable 51 for the fourth wicket with Murray Goodwin, who was dismissed in unfortunate circumstances.

Former Sussex bowler Billy Taylor managed to deflect a fierce straight drive from Prior into the stumps leaving Goodwin stranded out of his crease.

Hodd and Prior began to get on top of the Hampshire bowling in a fifth-wicket stand of 74 in 21 overs.

But the reintroduction of Cork accounted for Hodd and, after a stand of 38 for the sixth wicket, Hamilton-Brown was bowled off his pads.