Tom Lammonby Leads Somerset to 119-Run Advantage at Hove

Tom Lammonby made an unbeaten 74 as Somerset reached 167-2 and built a 119-run lead over Sussex on the second day of their County Championship Division One match at Hove. The ECB Reporters' Network, in a report published by BBC Sport, said the opener faced 143 balls and recorded his highest score of the season after entering the match with a batting average of 28.

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Somerset had been bowled out for 202 in their first innings, with Tom Abell contributing 72 and Henry Crocombe taking 5-56. Sussex replied with 250, securing a 48-run advantage, but their innings did not develop as strongly as it had promised when they stood at 149-2. Tom Clark's dismissal for 85 began a slide in which seven wickets fell for 61 runs across 29 overs.

Craig Overton led Somerset's response with the ball, finishing with 4-66. He dismissed Clark and Charlie Tear after the Sussex pair had added 92 for the third wicket, then removed Jack Carson and Crocombe within three deliveries after lunch. Lewis Gregory had James Coles bowled via an inside edge and later dismissed debutant Joey Evison.

Sussex's lower order still added important runs. John Simpson and Jaydev Unadkat put on 40 for the final wicket, taking the total to 250 and earning Sussex a batting bonus point. Simpson finished unbeaten on 64, his best score in eight Championship innings, after being dropped three times. Unadkat's two scoring shots were both sixes before Jack Leach ended the partnership.

Lammonby and Josh Thomas then made 92 for Somerset's first wicket as conditions became more favorable for batting. Thomas fell when he edged Sean Hunt to Charlie Tear at slip. Archie Vaughan added 49 with Lammonby before an inside edge was caught behind off Unadkat, but Lammonby and Henry Nicholls completed the final 10 overs without another loss.

Somerset closed with eight second-innings wickets still available, while Sussex retained four bonus points to Somerset's three from the match to that stage. Both counties entered the contest with title ambitions, making the remaining two days significant if enough play is possible. The report said a poor forecast for day three could hinder either side's attempt to force a result, with Somerset's immediate task to extend their lead when play resumes.