Sussex's fast bowler Nathan McAndrew claimed five crucial wickets, including two in three balls, to lead his team to victory over Northamptonshire, securing their position at the top of the Vitality County Championship Division Two.
The Australian overseas signing, who had already dismissed both openers on day two, finished with impressive figures of 5 for 73. Northamptonshire, needing 284 runs to win, were bowled out for 220, resulting in a 63-run victory for Sussex.
The early damage was done by overlooked England seamer Ollie Robinson, who bowled a fiery spell in gloomy, drizzly conditions. Robinson, finding ample bounce and carry, dismissed both not-out Northamptonshire batters, Matthew Breetzke and Rob Keogh, within the first 20 minutes of the third morning at Wantage Road. This spell effectively ended the hosts' hopes of a successful chase.
After Robinson left the field with a niggle, Sussex maintained the pressure, dismissing the in-form Lewis McManus cheaply. A resilient eighth-wicket partnership of 50 runs in 14 overs between Justin Broad (45) and Ben Sanderson (24) kept Northamptonshire in contention.
Playing in his second Championship match of the summer, McAndrew returned to the attack, taking the last three wickets and securing Sussex’s fifth win of the season.
Northamptonshire began the day at 137 for 4, still needing another 147 runs for their first win of the season. They quickly lost South African T20 international Breetzke, who edged a rising Robinson delivery to keeper John Simpson. Keogh followed, edging a sharp delivery from Robinson to Jack Carson at fourth slip. McManus was then caught behind off Sean Hunt, leaving Northamptonshire struggling at 155 for 7, having lost three wickets for just 11 runs in seven overs.
Broad and Sanderson fought back, keeping the scoreboard ticking with sharp singles and twos, and putting away bad balls. Sanderson showcased his batting skills with a stylish on-drive for four against Hunt and a clipped boundary off Fynn Hudson-Prentice. Broad, after driving Robinson straight down the ground to bring up Northamptonshire's 150, reverse-swept James Coles to take the hosts past 200.
McAndrew’s reintroduction into the attack proved decisive. In his first over back, he removed Sanderson, who chipped a catch to Dan Hughes at mid-on. Two balls later, McAndrew bowled Raphy Weatherall with an unplayable inswinging yorker.
Despite Broad’s counterattack, which included ramping McAndrew over the keeper for four, smashing a six over midwicket, and carving another boundary square, McAndrew had the final say. Broad’s attempt to hit him over fine leg resulted in a catch by Coles in the deep, sealing the victory for Sussex.