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Rana channels spirit of Imran to make Notts toil

Sussex 304 Nottinghamshire 145 & 135

Bruce Talbot
Thursday 12 May 2011 00:00 BST
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Sussex have embraced plenty of Pakistanis going back to the days of Imran Khan in the 1970s. None, of course, could beat Mushtaq Ahmed for impact and effervescence but Rana Naved runs him close.

Now in his fourth spell, the 33-year-old has changed physically since his debut in 2005. Back then, he had a skinhead. When he returned to Hove last year team-mates were bemused by his full head of hair. A quick check on YouTube revealed Rana extolling the virtues of the hair weave.

This year he's sporting a 70s-style mullet and his smooth approach to the crease down the slope yesterday might even have rekindled memories of Imran himself among the greybeards in the Hove deckchairs.

A superb new-ball spell of 2 for13 in eight overs set the tone for a day Sussex dominated. Graeme Swann wafted to slip and Mark Wagh was leg before with Rana celebrating by haring off to embrace Amjad Khan.

When Jimmy Anyon had Akhil Patel caught at slip with his fourth ball Nottinghamshire were 45 for 4 and it was to get much worse even though Samit Patel, celebrating his England Lions call-up with his third half-century of the season, and Adam Voges hinted at a recovery with a stand of 87 in 27 overs.

Monty Panesar did both batsmen in the flight and when Anyon began to extract disconcerting lift again the tail failed to cope. Anyon took 3 for 5 in nine deliveries on his way to his best Sussex figures as Nottinghamshire lost six for 13 in 33 balls.

Following on 159 behind, Neil Edwards joined Steven Mullaney, who had been clanged on the helmet by Anyon, in casualty after Amjad Khan struck him on the wrist.

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