Ollie fails with a pre-Test chance
OLLIE ROBINSON missed a chance to make a big point to the new-look England set-up as Sussex toiled against a New Zealand team down to the bare bones.
The 28-year-old bowled 18 overs in four spells at Hove – and was slightly unfortunate not to take a wicket, with just six runs conceded in his opening six overs.
New Zealand had just 12 players available with some yet to return from the IPL and further problems with injury and Covid isolation.
But after winning the toss the tourists finished on 342-3, with Tom Latham, Will Young, Michael Bracewell and Tom Blundell all getting half-centuries and retiring undefeated.
Sussex captain Tom Haines said: “Ollie’s first spell this morning was a proper opening spell.”
CRICKET
KEITH BARKER starred as Hampshire completed a 10-wicket over Somerset in County Championship Division One.
He hit 36 in his side’s 280 and then took 6-27, the hosts being bowled out for just 69.
Ben Stokes claimed 4-72 at Lord’s as Middlesex were all out for 422, 72 ahead of Durham in Division Two.
CYCLING
BRITAIN’S Simon Yates went solo in the finale to win Giro d’Italia’s stage 14 yesterday as Richard Carapaz took the lead.
Yates, whose title hopes were over, attacked from a group of four with 4km left to prevail in Turin.
Ecuador’s Carapaz got the leader’s maglia rosa jersey while ex-champion Vincenzo Nibali was fourth.
BRITISH SUPERBIKES BY ZOE BURN KYLE RYDE powered to his first win of the year after holding off Jason O’Halloran for victory at his home Donington Park track.
The Rich Energy OMG Yamaha rider saw-off a late push from his McAMS Yamaha rival who made a lunge at the final corner but managed to keep ahead to win by less than three hundredths of a second.
WORLD SUPERBIKES
ALVARO BAUTISTA denied reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu his first World Superbike victory of the year as the Spaniard stole the win across the line at Estoril yesterday.
The Aruba Ducati rider played the long game over the 21-lap race at the Portuguese track as he reeled in his rivals and pounced to take the lead and triumph on the final corner.