Sussex hold on despite Brown spell

Although the latest series of County Championship matches ended in draws after constant interruptions by rain, Sussex were made to sweat before escaping from Northampton undefeated. The county champions finished the day on 69 for 7, still 229 runs adrift of their notional target after Northamptonshire declared their second innings on 192 for 5, with David Sales unbeaten on 72.

Although the latest series of County Championship matches ended in draws after constant interruptions by rain, Sussex were made to sweat before escaping from Northampton undefeated. The county champions finished the day on 69 for 7, still 229 runs adrift of their notional target after Northamptonshire declared their second innings on 192 for 5, with David Sales unbeaten on 72.

The home side left themselves little time to chase victory but they made a flying start when Johann Louw bowled Ian Ward, who made a century in the first innings, for a duck. Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, Jason Brown ending with 3 for 20.

In the Second Division, Derbyshire's Mohammad Ali and Nick Walker survived the last 14 balls at the Rose Bowl to deny Hampshire a third successive Championship victory. Chasing a target of 274 off 53 overs, Derbyshire had been reduced to 101 for 9 when Ali was joined by Walker, who survived an appeal for leg before first ball.