Jack Leaning’s six sixes rescue Sussex as Hampshire collapse again

Leaning turns Sussex’s fortunes around

Jack Leaning produced a counter-attacking 78 to rescue Sussex from a precarious 124-7 and give them a competitive first-innings total of 244 against Hampshire in the County Championship.

Leaning shared a 75-run partnership with Jack Carson, who made a punchy 46, before taking control late in the innings. He reached his fourth half-century of the season with a six and struck six maximums in total, including four sixes over the short leg-side boundary in one Kyle Abbott over.

Leaning then added 43 for the final wicket before James Fuller and Eddie Jack ended the innings. Fuller finished with 3-45 and Jack 3-38, while Abbott, who claimed Tom Haines earlier in the day, was denied further reward despite Hampshire’s disciplined start.

Hampshire lose four wickets before close

Hampshire’s main seamers had initially put Sussex under severe pressure. Abbott, Fuller, Jack and Andrew Neal each claimed a wicket during the morning session, with Tom Clark and Oli Carter among the early dismissals.

Sussex’s lower order recovery changed the momentum, but Hampshire’s batting again faltered. Jaydev Unadkat took two wickets as Hampshire slipped to 55-4 by the close, with Nick Gubbins, Albert, Felix Organ and Joe Weatherley all dismissed.

The result has little impact on the wider Division One picture. Hampshire had already been relegated to Division Two after their defeat by Leicestershire, while Sussex’s 12-point deduction has left them fourth but out of title contention. Hampshire also remain without a home red-ball victory since April last year.