LONDON, CMC – A career-best half-century took Barbadian Jofra Archer past 500 runs for the English County championship but was not enough to save Sussex as they crashed to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Northamptonshire here yesterday.
The 22-year-old added seven to his overnight 74 to finish on 81 not out as the visitors, starting he final day on 382 for nine, were dismissed for 393 in their second innings after being forced to follow on at Wantage Road.
Set a modest 140 for victory, Northants recovered from 93 for four courtesy of an unbeaten 54 from South African Richard Levi, to reach their target comfortably in the end.
Right-arm seamer Archer, Sussex’s leading bowler this season, claimed a single wicket for 36 runs after removing England opener Ben Duckett caught at the wicket for 28.
Archer was outstanding on day three of the contest as he combined with David Wiese (61) in a free-scoring 127-run, ninth wicket stand to keep his side in the hunt, after they had slumped to 246 for eight after resuming the day on 34 for one.
All told, Archer lashed 10 fours off 125 deliveries in nearly 2-3/4 hours at the crease. He now has 502 runs at an average of 45 and has taken 56 wickets at 23 runs apiece.
