Smith drives Neser dismissively through covers

Steve Smith hit nine boundaries enroute a well-compiled in his only home appearance for Sussex. The Australian stalwart delighted a fairly good crowd by scoring 68 not out as Sussex finished the opening day of their County Championship match against Glamorgan on 221 for 4, a lead of 98.

Ollie Robinson dismissed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply earlier in the contest. The England seamer managed to rap Labuschagne on the pads and the umpire raised his finger, even though Labuschagne’s mannerisms suggested that he felt the ball may have missed the leg-stump by a whisker.

Both players headed into the encounter in decent form. Labuschagne had been averaging over 70 with the willow hitherto this summer, while Robinson has been averaging 13 with the red cherry. Robinson was delighted with the dismissal of one of Australia’s most dependable batters and expressed his joy with an emphatic celebration. He had only got the better of Labuschagne once in the previous Ashes, pinning him lbw at Adelaide – but only after the Australian No.3 had reached three figures.