A second first class half century for Nathan Buck helped a lower order fightback for Northamptonshire on Day 3.
Brett Hutton was called up from the second eleven after Luke Wood became the second Northamptonshire player in the match to be substituted with concussion. Wood retired hurt in the last over of Day 2 after being struck on the helmet by Chris Jordan and didn’t pass concussion protocol before play began. Hutton comes into the side without stipulations from the Cricket Liaison Officer so can both bat and bowl with no restrictions.
Jamie Overton found the boundary on a couple of occasions at the beginning of Day 3, Northamptonshire still trailing Sussex by 180 runs overnight. His stay ended in the fifth over of the day however, trapped in front by the legspin of Wells for 19. Brett Hutton edged Jordan to slip to fall for 2 and bring Nathan Buck to the crease. Along with Procter the pair fought hard to chip away at the Sussex lead, taking the total past 300 before the partnership passed 50. Buck regularly found the boundary on both sides of the wicket, rising to meet and pull the short ball with power. Procter continued to accumulate at the other end as Buck pulled Sakande to the midwicket boundary to bring up his second first class half century off 68 balls.
He fell shortly after though to have Northamptonshire 9 down and lunch delayed. Ben Sanderson played a brief cameo, finding the boundary twice before he was bowled by Briggs. With the total at 368 Procter was left stranded on 49, Northamptonshire bowled out still 54 behind.
Sussex came out with clear intent in their second innings, Salt batting with freedom. The Sussex opener went to 50 in 58 balls and brought up his 100 in just 90. Nathan Buck claimed the wicket of Haines at the other end, edging to Overton at second slip. Overton then claimed two of his own either side of tea. Salt falling in the last over before the break and Wells departing shortly after it. Sanderson had his first wicket of the innings when Finch picked out Bavuma in the deep to have Sussex 210/4 but Brown and van Zyl took Sussex safely through to the close at 292/4, the lead 347.
Sussex 422 (Sanderson 3/78, Overton 3/79) & 292/4 (Overton 2/58, Sanderson 1/39)
Northamptonshire 368 (Vasconcelos 83, Cobb 62)