Slapdash Sussex skittled by Harvey

Ian Harvey claimed County Championship-best figures of 6 for 19 in 15 overs to put treble-winners Gloucestershire in control at Hove yesterday.

Ian Harvey claimed County Championship-best figures of 6 for 19 in 15 overs to put treble-winners Gloucestershire in control at Hove yesterday.

The West Country side, who with two wins from their last two matches could add promotion to their astonishing triumphs in one-day cricket, skittled Sussex for 138 on a blameless pitch before reaching 74 for 2 in reply when bad light cut short the day.

Sussex, without their Australian batsman Michael Bevan through shoulder and groin injuries, have been in miserable form recently and have won only one of their last nine games in all cricket. They lost wickets steadily after the Australian Harvey removed Michael Yardy and Will House in quick succession.

Harvey's early efforts saw him take 4 for 7 in 11 overs as Sussex stumbled to 87 for 6 by lunch. A succession of players got out to poor shots and only Richard Montgomerie made any real progress by reaching 30 off 62 balls before becoming Ben Gannon's first victim.

In reply Gloucestershire lost Tim Hancock (3), bowled by James Kirtley, in the fourth over. Dominic Hewson and Matt Windows then added 45 before Hewson was dismissed for 35. Windows (19 not out) batted watchfully and Harvey was on 12 when bad light intervened.