da bet7k： Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Wagh battedWarwickshire into a strong position after day one ofthe Cricinfo Championship match against Sussexat Hove
Bruce Talbot25-May-2001Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Wagh battedWarwickshire into a strong position after day one ofthe Cricinfo Championship match against Sussexat Hove.Powell fell seven runs short of his first century ofthe season while Wagh will resume on Saturdayunbeaten on 78 with his side well placed on 281-3.Warwickshire made good use of a true pitch whichflattened out after offering some early assistance tothe Sussex attack.But the hosts were also left to regret somebutter-fingered fielding which reprieved Powell threetimes in the space of six balls when he was still inthe 30s.Michael Yardy spilled a high chance off RobinMartin-Jenkins at second slip and then the lucklessJames Kirtley, who bowled beautifully all day, wasleft thumping the ground in frustration after seeingPowell dropped twice in three balls.Wicket-keeper Matt Prior shelled a dolly off atop-edged pull then Richard Montgomerie put down amore difficult chance off a thick edge at secondslip.Powell went on to make 93 off 168 balls with 14 foursand a swatted six over cover off Martin-Jenkinsbefore he mistimed a drive at Jason Lewry throughmid-wicket and spooned a leading edge instead toextra cover.Powell had put on 115 with Nick Knight for the firstwicket, the left-hander falling after lunch for 46when he shuffled half-forward to Kirtley and fell legbefore.The Sussex bowlers showed commendable control under ablazing sun and Martin-Jenkins made a thirdbreakthrough after tea when David Hemp edged him tothe keeper for 30.By the close Wagh and Dominic Ostler had extendedtheir fourth wicket stand to 79.