Friday’s opener in the Sussex versus Surrey county match at The Oval produced a cricketing oddity that left even seasoned spectators blinking at the scoreboard. Two batters coming in at positions nine and ten both ended up making centuries—an extraordinary feat in any format, and even more so in a first-class contest where such contributions can completely rewrite the tone of a match.
Sussex captain Ollie Robinson and off-spinner Jack Carson starred with a spellbinding batting display, turning the game on its head after Surrey had appeared to be in full control. The unusual partnership not only rescued Sussex from trouble, but also set up a dominant platform that Surrey struggled to match in reply.
How Sussex’s innings unfolded at The Oval
- Surrey won the toss and chose to bowl on a “super green” surface.
- Jordan Clark struck early, sending the Sussex top order under pressure and then removing Tom Haines, who was dismissed for a duck after being bowled by Australian speedster Sean Abbott.
- Daniel Hughes and Tom Clark steadied the innings by adding 63 runs for the second wicket.
- Clark’s impact was short-lived as Clark’s bowling gave way to further trouble: Jordan Clark then ran through the batting line-up, and Sussex slipped to 92/7.
- Carson joined Fynn Hudson-Prentice, and the pair stitched together a 75-run stand for the eighth wicket. Hudson-Prentice eventually departed for 53 off 58 balls.
- Robinson and Carson came together after the wicket, and they proceeded to do something no one expected—building a massive 173-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
- Carson reached his century, scoring 105, before falling to Matthew Fisher.
- Henry Crocombe came in at the crease, and Robinson struck a six over deep midwicket soon after to join Carson as another century-maker.
- Robinson then declared Sussex’s innings at 358/9.
- Surrey, in their chase, finished day one on 19/0.
For all the drama, the innings also carried a reminder that big scores often involve at least a touch of fortune. Carson, for instance, was dropped on 13—described as a tough, high chance that was cut down by Pope at second slip off Abbott. Even so, he looked comfortable and settled thereafter, before Hudson-Prentice was caught behind off Fisher in the 37th over.
Robinson’s century run likewise came with near-misses. He was dropped on 21 when Adam Thomas, moving back from cover, had an opportunity off Topley. There was also another chance when a clip off 67 just failed to find Pope at midwicket. Still, Sussex’s innings was largely defined by Robinson’s discipline and shot selection, particularly as the pitch flattened out.
It wasn’t as though Sussex’s late surge arrived against a weak bowling attack. Dan Lawrence and Matthew Fisher have both played Test cricket for England, Reece Topley has accumulated 65 white-ball international appearances, and Abbott has featured in 58 white-ball international matches for Australia. In that context, the partnership’s scale and timing only made the turnaround more striking.
Robinson’s ability with the bat is no longer a surprise. In 2024, during a Test match in India, he produced a stubborn fifty and added 102 runs with Joe Root for the eighth wicket—an effort that frustrated the home side and showcased the temperament he brought to The Oval on Friday.
