Zimbabwe in England

[Donny]

Vermeulen falls for 198 in truncated day at Hove
John Ward - 17 May 2003

Just under two hours' play were possible on the third day of Zimbabwe's match against Sussex, and by the time rain again stopped play, Zimbabwe had put in some useful batting practice, to take their score to 374 for 7.

Against expectations and predications, play was possible after a dismal early morning at the County Ground in Hove. Mark Vermeulen resumed for the Zimbabweans on 194, and was joined by new batsman Sean Ervine.

A back-foot drive past cover to the boundary took Vermeulen past his previous best first-class score of 197, but he was to get no further. He edged medium-paced Kevin Innes to Andrew Hoad, the England Under-19 wicketkeeper making his debut in this match, and his monumental innings came to an end. Douglas Marillier quickly followed without scoring, driving Billy Taylor to short extra cover, and Zimbabwe had lost four wickets for eight runs.

The light began to deteriorate, but Sussex, having prepared for that likelihood, had already received permission from the England and Wales Cricket Board to use their floodlights, the first time this has happened in a first-class match in the country. Just before 2.30, the lights began to come on, a historic moment.

Heath Streak scored 11 before slicing a drive off Innes into the gully, but Ervine played some useful drives. Uncharacteristically, Andy Blignaut spent almost half an hour at the crease before getting off the mark; immediately he did so, rain began to fall. The floodlights were no protection against that, and tea was taken early, with Ervine on 39 and Blignaut 2. Play was eventually abandoned for the day at 4.15pm.