Yorkshire will be hosting Sussex in the next Group 3 round fixture of the ongoing County Championship 2021 at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday, June 3.
Second-placed Yorkshire have enjoyed a good season in the County Championship, with 99 points from seven matches. They have won three games and have lost one with three draws. However, they are coming off a hammering at the hands of the group leaders Lancashire, who defeated Steven Patterson’s men by an innings and 79 runs.
Sussex have had a miserable season, currently reeling at the second last position in the group 3 points table with 67 points. They have played seven games so far but have only managed to win one game while suffering four losses. Sussex started the season well by drawing the first match and winning second, but it has all gone downhill since then. Sussex are coming off a 7-wicket loss against Northamptonshire in the last week.
Group 3 of the County Championship season is in an interesting state. While Lancashire have gained fair distance at the top of the table with 123 points, all the other five teams are still in the race. Sussex would want to reignite their campaign with a win, while Yorkshire will want to consolidate their top 2 position.
Key Players
Adam Lyth has been the highest run-getter for Yorkshire in the CC. He has amassed 581 runs in 12 innings, averaging a terrific 52.81 with the help of two centuries and three half centuries. He spectacularly started the championship season, scoring 491 runs in the first three games. Since then, he’s gone cold, and Yorkshire will be hoping that the left-hander finds his form back. Lyth has enormous experience in First-Class cricket with over 11000 runs in 188 matches.
The veteran pacer Steven Patterson often unnoticed, has been an important cog in the wheel for Yorkshire over the years. The 38-year-old has taken 21 scalps at an average of 21.90, with the best bowling of 4/26 against Sussex. Patterson is a vastly experienced pacer in First-Class cricket with 441 wickets in 166 matches at an average of 27.46. The tall medium-pacer has excelled in nipping the ball around at great accuracy. Yorkshire skipper will be looking to put up an impactful performance in this crucial contest.
Tom Haines, the top order batter, has been a prolific run-getter for Sussex this season. Haines has piled up 622 runs in 13 innings at an excellent average of 47.84. The 22-year-old left-hander has been rock solid at the top of the order, registering two hundreds and three fifties, with the highest score of 155. Haines will have good memories against Yorkshire as he was brilliant with his 86 & 37 in the previous meeting. The talented youngster is also coming off a fighting hundred in the fourth innings against Northamptonshire in the last game.
The right-arm off-spinner Jack Carson is the second-highest wicket-taker of the current CC campaign for Sussex. The 21-year-old has been consistent with the ball throughout the season, picking 22 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 26.86. Interestingly, Carson registered his best bowling figures against Yorkshire when he picked 5/85 at home. He hasn’t had the best of times in his last three outings, and he’ll be hoping to turn things around against Yorkshire. With the bat, however, he contributed 52 & 35 against Northants in the last game.
Head-to-head comparison
Yorkshire has historically dominated the rivalry between these two prestigious clubs. The last five contests between the two have gone Yorkshire’s way with three wins and two draws. They’ve beaten Sussex earlier this season and will hold a clear edge. In the previous fixture between the two sides, Yorkshire had defeated Sussex by 48 runs, away from home.
Prediction
Yorkshire batting has looked good throughout the season, even in the absence of Joe Root. Their bowling has done even better with all the bowlers sharing the responsibility. Sussex have lots of issues to work on, including their batting apart from Tom Haines. Sussex bowling attack is heavily depleted by the absence of Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer.
As the tournament comes to the end of the Group stage, the better teams are likely to shine brighter. Expect Yorkshire, who have been much more solid overall this season, to continue their dominance over Sussex and pull off a win at their home turf of Headingley.
