Lammonby Leads Somerset Fightback Against Sussex at Hove

Tom Lammonby led Somerset into a strong position against Sussex with an unbeaten 74 on the second day of their County Championship match at Hove. BBC Sport reported that Somerset reached 167-2 at stumps, giving them a lead of 119 after they had conceded a 48-run first-innings deficit.

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Lammonby, who had made only one in Somerset's first innings, faced 143 balls in a chanceless knock. The left-handed opener shared a 92-run opening partnership with Josh Thomas as the visitors made use of improving batting conditions. Lammonby had entered the match averaging 28 during a lean summer.

Sussex finally broke the opening stand in the 23rd over after captain Tom Haines had rotated his three pace bowlers. Sean Hunt changed ends and induced Thomas to fence at a delivery that bounced more than expected, with Charlie Tear taking a low diving catch at slip. Archie Vaughan then added 49 with Lammonby before edging Jaydev Unadkat behind, leaving Henry Nicholls and Lammonby to negotiate the final 10 overs.

Earlier, Sussex had recovered to 250 after a last-wicket partnership of 40 between John Simpson and Unadkat. Simpson finished unbeaten on 64, his highest score in eight Championship innings, while Unadkat's two scoring shots were both sixes. Their stand secured a 48-run advantage and also helped Sussex collect a batting bonus point.

The recovery followed a sharp middle-order collapse. Sussex had been 149-2 with Tom Clark scoring quickly, but his dismissal for 85 began a sequence in which seven wickets fell for 61 runs across 29 overs. Craig Overton removed Clark and Tear, who made 34, and later dismissed Jack Carson and Henry Crocombe within three deliveries to finish with 4-66.

Somerset will resume with eight wickets available and Lammonby 26 runs short of a century, but the weather could limit both sides. BBC Sport reported a poor forecast for the third day, creating uncertainty over whether either team will have enough playing time to force a result. Sussex retain outside title hopes, while Somerset's second-innings recovery has strengthened their position in the match.