COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, New Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Sussex 237 & 102-2 v Worcestershire 201-9 dec
Worcs 4pts, Sussex 4pts
Match scorecard

Wright has taken 23 wickets in Sussex's promotion campaign

Luke Wright and Will Beer took three wickets each to dent Worcestershire's promotion hopes at New Road.

Worcestershire wasted little time in polishing Division Two champions Sussex off for 237 on the third morning and were going well on 81-1 in reply.

But, although James Cameron hit 49 and Vikram Solanki 52, Wright (3-48) and Beer (3-31) ripped through the middle order as the hosts declared on 201-9.

With Worcestershire needing a win to go up, Sussex closed on 102-2, 138 ahead.

Only a victory will give Worcestershire a chance of overhauling Glamorgan and an all-action day, which saw 14 wickets fall, began with Gareth Andrew, the subject of an approach by Sussex, taking three wickets in five balls to finish with a season's best 4-45 as the visitors soon subsided from their overnight 225-7.

Andrew Hodd lost his off stump shouldering arms, while Lewis Hatchett and Monty Panesar guided successive balls to Matt Mason at gully.

Worcestershire soon lost Daryl Mitchell caught behind off Yasir Arafat, but Cameron and Solanki added 77 before Cameron was run out by Luke Wells at cover going for the run that would have taken him to 50.

Moeen Ali played briskly but when he was bowled after shouldering arms to Wright it triggered a spell of three wickets in 15 balls for the England one-day all-rounder as Solanki and Alexei Kervezee fell in consecutive overs.

But Beer was also impressive as Worcestershire lost seven wickets for 58 from a seemingly healthy 132-2, before declaring after Ben Cox took them past 200 with a boundary.

The home side then struck twice early on to leave Sussex 29-2 but also put down three chances as Ben Brown (37 not out) and Murray Goodwin (34 not out) wrestled back control.

BBC Hereford and Worcester's Dave Bradley reflects on the game:
"Sussex clearly in the box seats, but will there be a declaration for Worcestershire to chase a total on the last day?

"Sussex, after all, have nothing to lose having been presented with the championship trophy at New Road.

"Two dropped catches at vital times meant that Worcestershire were unlikely to bowl Sussex out, but if local rumour is to be believed the captains may come to some agreement, and that would mean the whole promotion race going to the last afternoon of the season.

"Sussex have been easily the best team in Division Two, but what a great achievement it would be if Worcestershire got promoted."

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