Sussex v Surrey day one play at Hove abandoned because of rain

Play was abandoned on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship game between Sussex and Surrey without a ball being bowled at Hove. After heavy overnight and morning rain it was announced that there would be no play before lunch today (Tuesday 8 September). And then, shortly before 3pm, umpires Jack Shantry and Nigel Llong called it off for the day. Sixth-placed Surrey and even fourth-placed Sussex still need points to be safe from relegation. The weather put a dampener on a Sussex celebration of one of the county's most famous players, John Wisden, perhaps best remembered for founding the Cricketers' Almanack that bears his surname. Wisden was born in Crown Street, Brighton, 200 years ago, on Tuesday 5 September 1826 and educated at Middle Street Primary School which closed at the end of last month. Support quality, independent, local journalism that matters. Donate here.