Nottinghamshire 310 for 3 (Libby 108, Taylor 101*, Hales 57) trail Sussex 391 by 81 runs
Scorecard
Centuries from Jake Libby and James Taylor helped Nottinghamshire close on 310 for 3 on the second day of their Championship match against Sussex at Trent Bridge. On his county debut Libby scored 108 from 262 balls, hitting 16 fours and sharing in a stand of 181 in 48 overs with Taylor, who ended the day on 101 not out.
Earlier, Sussex had come within nine runs of maximum batting points before being bowled out for 391. Resuming on 358 for 9, Ashar Zaidi had frustrated Nottinghamshire's bowlers during the first half hour of the day as he and Lewis Hatchett added a further 33 runs to the score. Zaidi was put down in the slips by Samit Patel, denying Luke Fletcher what would have been his 200th first-class wicket but then perished in the next over to Harry Gurney.
In reply, Libby opened the innings with Alex Hales and the two right-handers were both reprieved by Ed Joyce: Hales put down from the bowling of Chris Jordan and Libby, on 25, dropped off Steve Magoffin.
From then on chances were few and far between as Hales passed 1000 first class runs for the season, although 78 of them had come during his one-match loan to Worcestershire earlier in the campaign. Hales advanced to 57 but was then beaten by a Magoffin delivery that nipped back and clipped his off stump. Michael Lumb followed swiftly, edging behind without scoring.
Libby advanced to his 50 from 119 balls, with eight fours and showed great temperament throughout. Alert enough to punish a tiring attack, he played his shots all around the wicket and had the ideal partner in Taylor, who could appreciate what was at stake for the youngster.
Libby's hundred came just before the second new ball was due, running Chris Nash to the third man boundary to become only the 11th Nottinghamshire player to score a ton on his debut - and the first since Taylor, who was quick to congratulate his batting partner. A couple of overs later Libby was gone for 108, departing to a standing ovation after being bowled by Hatchett.
Taylor had enough time left in the day to reach his first Championship century of the season, his own hundred coming from 146 balls with 12 fours.
Libby was proud of his century and pleased he could share the occasion with his family. "The whole day has been crazy, it's just been surreal," he said. "I was very nervous in the nineties and obviously to get it away past point for the hundred was a great moment. Both parents were in the crowd and it's obviously a great moment for them. I'm just chuffed with how it has gone."
Sussex opener Nash is hoping his side can get some more wickets on Wednesday. He said: "I always enjoy coming here but it's been a very tough day. You really have to work hard for your wickets out there - it's a very good pitch to bat on."
