Sussex thrive on Yorkshire's failings

Sussex 375-6 v Yorkshire

Tim Ambrose, from New South Wales, and Matt Prior, from Johannesburg, are hardly Sussex yeomen but as citizens of the global village they do have the qualification to play county cricket and how well they did it yesterday. When Ambrose arrived, Sussex having been sent in under cloud and on a dampish pitch, they were 70 for 4; when Prior began they were 121 for 5.

Forty-three overs later, when Prior, 83, edged behind, the pair had added 191 runs, both had achieved their best scores for Sussex and Ambrose had reached his maiden century in England.The stocky 19-year-old from Newcastle showed all the qualities of an emerging major batsman: sound defence, concentration, the drive, the pull and the cut, and the judgement of when to play them. His unbroken innings of 146 has so far lasted 93 overs.

The pair, unknowingly, had broken Sussex's century old sixth-wicket record against Yorkshire, 179 at Hove in 1902, and raised the highest sixth wicket stand against Yorkshire on this ground. The only carping note could be that they might have met better bowling.

Steve Kirby, the most penetrative, Chris Silverwood and Ryan Sidebottom shared the early wickets but not one has attained the form showed last season and the latter pair, both capped by England, were guilty of far too many loose deliveries.

The pitch quickened as the ball lost its shine and Robin Martin-Jenkins helped Ambrose turn the tide, further exasperating the bowlers with his airy refusal to offer an edge.

Yorkshire currently could not win a one-horse race. They dropped Richard Dawson to include Gavin Hamilton in the hope that a few runs and wickets for the second team had restored the once England all-rounder's confidence. His one over numbered 12 deliveries and cost 17 runs. And as Craig White is now a batsman who bowls occasionally this meant that the attack, as opposed to containment, had to be shared by the three quicks, with occasional relief from Anthony McGrath's seamers.

When further relief was required from Simon Katich's slow left arm, two overs cost 25. The attempt to rehabilitate the highly popular Hamilton was commendable, but desperate. Yorkshire are heading towards relegation. They need a hero. Darren Gough, where are you?