Archer in for kill after Van Zyl sparkles

JOFRA Archer was the star of the show as Sussex kept their promotion hopes alive with a comfortable 231-run victory over struggling Leicestershire – who are still searching for their first win of the season.

On the penultimate day, Stiaan van Zyl sparkled with the bat for Sussex, scoring an imperious unbeaten 166 to help the hosts declare on 4336, and from there the Foxes always looked to be in danger of defeat at the idyllic Arundel cricket ground.

Starting the final day on 36-0, Leicestershire needed a daunting 425 to win, and suffered a disastrous start with Arun Harinath, Paul Horton and Colin Ackermann all out in quick succession.

Sussex had to be patient, but when Foxes captain Mark Cosgrove was finally dismissed for 20 by Chris Jordan, who expertly swung the ball to claim figures of 2-14 in a blistering five-over spell, the visitors were 124-4 and in big trouble.

With the tail beginning to grow exposed, only Lewis Hill offered much resistance as young leg-spinner Will Beer and Archer piled through the lower order, with Cosgrove’s men losing seven wickets in 23 overs for just 70 runs.

Archer, who took 11 wickets when Sussex won at Grace Road last month, added seven more to his haul in this match and picked up 4-30 in the second innings to all but secure the points for his side. When wicketkeeper Hill was trapped by Abi Sakande for 35 just before tea, Leicestershire were all out for 193 in 69.1 overs.