County Championship: Gohar reaches landmark but Sussex stay on top

Zafar Gohar claimed his 300th first-class cricket in taking 6-76 as Gloucestershire bowled out Sussex for 311 on the second day of the County Championship match at Bristol.

But the left-arm spinner’s efforts could not prevent the Division Two leaders taking a commanding first-innings lead of 202, Jack Carson top scoring with 71 and sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 112 with skipper John Simpson, who made 61.

By the close, Gloucestershire had posted 140-3 in their second innings and still trailed by 62. Chris Dent was unbeaten on 61, having battled away for 157 balls, while Miles Hammond hit 41.

The day began with Sussex 149-4 and already 40 runs ahead.

Gohar struck his first blow by bowling James Coles for 46 attempting a reverse sweep.

Henry Crocombe then went to hit Gohar back over his head and skied a catch to mid-on.

The afternoon session saw Simpson produce an exquisite cover drive for four off Price before a quick single took him to a half-century off 96 deliveries.

He and Carson had extended their side’s lead to 183 when the latter dragged a wide ball from Gohar onto his stumps.

Debutant Bertie Foreman made just two before being bowled through the gate by a turning delivery from Gohar, who then had Simpson caught behind and pinned last man Jaydev Unadkat lbw.

Gloucestershire openers Dent and Joe Phillips knocked 43 off the deficit with few alarms before the latter was lbw to Unadkat for 21.

Ollie Price fell to a reflex slip catch by Tom Haines off Carson, who had Hammond caught behind late on.