Tom Haines’ century set up a 62-run victory for Sussex Sharks in their National County Friendly against Oxfordshire at The 1st Central County Ground. The match which was due to be played in Oxfordshire, was played at Hove due to COVID-19. It is the first match against a first class county for Oxfordshire as part of the NCCA showcase fixtures.
Captaining a young Sussex side, Haines made 105 from 122 balls as Sussex posted 285 for 9 in their 50 overs after winning the toss. After the loss of openers Tom Clark and Harrison Ward cheaply, Haines added 115 for the third wicket with Australian international Travis Head, who made a run-a-ball 55.
Jofra Archer, continuing to build fitness as he returns from elbow surgery earlier in the summer, chipped in with 15 from 11 balls, while Ollie Carter (22 from 15 balls) and Ali Orr (30 from 18 balls) also played cameos.
Off-spinner Max Mannering was the pick of the Oxfordshire bowlers, picking up the wickets of Clark and Archer during ten overs that cost just 29 runs.
Archer bowled six lively overs with the new ball and forced Oxfordshire opener Tom Cosford to retire hurt in the seventh over after hitting him on the helmet twice.
England’s Jofra Archer back in action for Sussex at Hove against Oxfordshire in the 50 over game
Henry Crocombe took the first wicket with the score on 38, before Harry Smith and Tom Condon added 47.
Smith had made 42 from 67 balls when he was bowled by 17-year-old James Coles, who signed his professional with Sussex earlier in the year after coming through the Oxfordshire pathway, and Oxfordshire and Sussex Cricket Academy.
That left Oxon 85 for 2 and requiring 200 from just over 25 overs. The scoreboard pressure soon told and Head capitalised picking up three quick wickets with his off-spin on his way to figures of 3 for 23 from six overs.
With the required run-rate surging, the game was all but gone, but a belligerent 93 from 81 balls from Henry Rossouw lifted Oxfordshire to a respectable total.
Rossouw added exactly 100 for the sixth wicket with George Tait, who made 25 before becoming Coles’ second victim in the 45th over.
Joe Sarro returned to pick up two late wickets, including Rossouw, as Oxfordshire finished on 223 for 8.