Kent's Marcus O'Riordan takes three wickets against Sussex on day one of their Bob Willis Trophy match
Published: 20:00, 08 August 2020
Updated: 20:15, 09 August 2020
Marcus O’Riordan took three wickets for Kent on the opening day of their Bob Willis Trophy match against Sussex and now hopes to impress with the bat.
Sussex, having won the toss, are 320-9 at the end of day one with O’Riordan claiming career-best figures of 3-50 and Harry Podmore finishing the day 3-74.
Kent will now hope to take the final wicket early on the second day at Canterbury.
O’Riordan said: “It was a tough day in terms of conditions and we stuck at it well.
“It would have been nice to have bowled them out and batted a bit in the last session but we are not too far away from being in a decent position.
“We need to get that wicket as quickly as we can (on Sunday) and then look to put a decent first innings score on the board.
“I will be looking to put some runs on the board and keep enjoying it. A few months ago it was touch and go whether we would get any cricket at all so it is a bonus as I see it. Hopefully I can do well.”
Off-spinner O’Riordan, 22, was making only his third first-class appearance.
Sussex captain Ben Brown top-scored with an unbeaten 90, standing firm for over four hours.
This was Kent’s first home match of the summer. All of the Bob Willis Trophy matches are being streamed live, for free, but there were technical issues on Saturday.
Kent chief exec Simon Storey issued an apology but remains hopeful that fans can attend games soon.
Speaking on Saturday, he said: “It has taken an immense team effort to be ready to host the visit of Sussex, our first home game of the Bob Willis Trophy.
“It’s been crucial that we get the appropriate medical protocols and procedures in place. Everyone has played their part in ensuring we can get the game on safely.
“Whilst it’s disappointing that we are unable to welcome crowds, we have not given up our hope of allowing spectators into the ground as part of a pilot project, and our work with ECB is ongoing.
“To ensure members and fans can still follow the action, we have launched an enhanced live streaming service, with ball tracking and BBC radio commentary.
“Unfortunately, despite a successful test this week, we were hit with major technical issues this morning.
“Alongside our team here, we had people from the ECB, developers in New Zealand and our IT partners working hard to resolve the issues. Whilst the commentary was working and highlights of all the key moments were available, we lost the live streaming in the first session, for which we sincerely apologise.
“It was incredibly frustrating after all of the hard work put in and we thank our members and supporters for their patience and understanding.
“The improved live stream, which ran throughout the second and third session, has been very well received and we had over 2,700 viewers on the stream and our match centre.
“Three months ago, it was far from certain that we would be able to start any season. It’s taken hard work and significant investment to get the game on behind closed doors safely, but ultimately it has been fantastic for The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence to host some competitive red-ball cricket.”
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Luke Cawdell