Ben Sanderson claimed 6/37 as Northamptonshire took full control of the match in Hove.
After 2 late wickets in the dying overs on Day 1, Brett Hutton and Ben Sanderson wasted no time in opening their accounts again on Day 2. Luke Wells and nightwatchman Thomason both edging to Vasconcelos at third in consecutive overs within the first half hour. Sanderson struck again shortly after, Evans this time edging to Wakely who claimed a good low catch at first slip. Luke Procter found joy early in his spell, Brown feathering a catch to Rossington to leave Sussex 49/6. Rawlins and Wiese mounted the strongest resistance of the innings in the lead up until lunch, adding 34 before Rawlins became Sanderson’s fourth wicket in the final over before the break.
It took just 7.1 overs for Sanderson and Hutton to end the innings after the interval, Beer trapped in front to become Hutton’s third scalp. Ben Sanderson wrapped things up in his next two overs, Wiese edging to Rossington before Wakely welcomed his second catch at first slip from Sakande. Sanderson finishing with figures of 6 for 37 from his 16.1 overs, bowling in partnership with Hutton who claimed 3/47. Sussex all out for 106, handing Northamptonshire a first innings lead of 167.
Skipper Adam Rossington decided not to enforce the follow-on, Vasconcelos and Newton cashing in on the opportunity. Both openers were fluent and punishing as the total passed 50 in just the 14th over and 100 in the 23rd. The pair reaching personal milestones in consecutive deliveries before tea. Ricardo Vasconcelos passing 50 in 83 balls with 7 boundaries, Newton swinging Beer into the stands to raise his bat in just 59 balls. 108/0 at tea, Northamptonshire hammering home their position with a lead of 270.
Sussex found some joy in the final session of the day, with 4 Northamptonshire wickets falling as the lead grew. Rob Newton’s attempted cut to the first ball after tea only went as far as the hands of first slip, bringing Alex Wakely to the middle. After a trio of elegant boundaries, Wakely fell for 19 when Sakande found sharp movement off the pitch to take his inside edge. Vasconcelos looked on course for his third Championship century of the season until Sakande again found an ally in the wicket, trapping Vasconcelos in front with a ball that shot through on the left-hander.
Temba Bavuma became the last man to go as the total passed 200 and the lead passed 350. Bavuma picking out the man in the deep from a waist high full toss from spinner Rawlins, the South African international gone for 25. Nathan Buck joined a watchful Keogh with the pair taking things through to the close. Northamptonshire finishing the day 212/4, the lead 379.
Northamptonshire 273 (Zaib 54, Wakely 36) & 212/4 (Vasconcelos 88, Newton 54)
Sussex 106 (Sanderson 6/37, Hutton 3/47)