LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Sussex 152, Gloucestershire 128
Glos 3pts, Sussex 3pts
Match scorecard

Birkenshaw made a close inspection of the Bristol pitch at tea

ECB pitch inspector Jack Birkenshaw branded the Bristol track "fine" after 20 wickets fell on the first day of Gloucestershire's clash with Sussex.

Birkenshaw was also at Nevil Road last week after 23 wickets went down on day one of the visit of Northants.

But he put this game's early carnage down to swing, good bowling and poor shot selection and will not return.

Sussex were shot out for 152 after choosing to bat but still lead after the home side made just 128 in reply.

Birkenshaw decided against recommending a points deduction against Gloucestershire last week, and there was little sign of the drama to come as Chris Nash (47) and Michael Thornely (25) put on 61 for Sussex's first wicket.

But from there, wickets fell at regular intervals, with New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin finishing with 4-27, including a spell of 3-6 in 15 balls after earlier claiming the scalp of England wicketkeeper Matt Prior for just two.

Gloucestershire fared no better and were 34-2 in reply at tea after Corey Collymore dismissed openers Jon Batty and Kadeer Ali.

Robin Martin-Jenkins soon bowled Steve Snell and trapped home captain Alex Gidman lbw before Hamish Marshall fell the same way to Joe Anyon to leave Gloucestershire 75-5.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan then ripped through the tail to finish with 4-49, leaving Gloucestershire grateful to a fighting 37 from Chris Taylor.

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