Jake Libby hit his career best score and a maiden double century as Worcestershire secured maximum batting points on a rain-shortened third day in the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Sussex at Hove.
The opener resumed on 142 and today smashed 73 from just 52 deliveries in stepping up the run rate when play was finally able to get underway at 4pm with 32 overs left.
A single off spinner James Coles enabled Libby to complete his double hundred and he went onto make 215 from 294 balls before bowled by the same bowler.
Libby share in partnerships of 106 with Jack Haynes and 79 with Club Captain, Brett D’Oliveira, in a really adventurous approach by Worcestershire to make up for lost time.
They plundered 149 runs from just 20 overs today before D’Oliveira declared with a first innings lead of 218.
Joe Leach then picked up the wicket of Sussex captain, Tom Haines, before the close at 39-1.
After rain and drizzle throughout the day, Worcestershire were finally able to resume on 289-2 from 80 overs with the second new ball immediately due.
But a combination of Libby’s ultra-aggressive approach and some wayward bowling enabled Worcestershire to score freely right from the start of play.
Libby was particularly severe on Faheem Ashraf and two boundaries – the 18th and 19th of his innings – off the pace bowler enabled him to complete his 150
Haynes turned the same bowler off his legs for four to bring up the 300 and then Ashraf conceded 15 runs in an over, including three fours by Libby.
A single off Fynn Hudson-Prentice took Libby past his previous best score of 184 versus Glamorgan at New Road in the Bob Willis Trophy two years ago.
The stand was worth 106 in 23 overs when Haynes, after a bright 31, lost his middle stump to Brad Currie at 355-3.
The first 10 overs of the day realised 72 runs.
D’Oliveira, came to the wicket and maintained the impetus and pulled Henry Crocombe for two sixes in an over.
Maximum batting points was achieved in 95.2 overs and then Libby’s double ton was completed with a single off spinner James Coles.
He was hugged by D’Oliveira and his team-mates gave him a standing ovation from the balcony.
Libby’s 200 came from 286 deliveries in nearly six and a half hours with 25 fours.
He then smashed Ashraf for a huge six over extra cover off the back foot before his splendid knock ended when he was bowled by Coles looking to drive through the off side.
D’Oliveira continued to score at better than a run a ball and he declared immediately after being caught behind of Ashraf for 43 from 38 deliveries.
Sussex were left 10 overs batting and Leach made a big breakthrough in his fifth and final over of the day in dismissing Haines (13).
The left-hander pushed forward to the all-rounder and was bowled with 35 on the board.
