Ishant Sharma wields magic with the willow to hit his maiden FC fifty for Sussex

Ishant Sharma is renowned more as a bowler than as a batsman. To be more precise, as far as performances with willow are concerned, Ishant is only remembered for the 31 runs, he churned out in his partnership of 81 runs with the enigmatic VVS Laxman to win India the famous Test match against Australia in Chandigarh back in October 2010.

The gutsy innings remained to be his highest first-class score until yesterday, when he not only breached the score, but also notched his maiden half-century at the First Class level. He played a stupendous hand of 66 runs off 141 balls, representing Sussex in their contest against Leicestershire in the Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

The late surge by Sharma

The visitors found themselves in a fair amount of trouble with the score reading 240/7. Ishant joined Michael Burgess in the middle and the duo compiled a stupendous eighth-wicket stand of 153 runs, which guided Sussex to safer shores. While Burgess was the dominating partner, Ishant put his head down to construct the knock, which was garnished with six boundaries and a solitary six.

The Indian fast-bowler was eventually dismissed by Ateeq Javid. Meanwhile, Sussex waited for Burgess to accomplish his second ton in first-class cricket after which declared with the score reading 438/8. After the impressive show, the Delhi-born pacer showed his skills with the leather as well. In the fifth over, he nipped out Paul Horton and drew first blood for Sussex.

He picked his second wicket in the form of the Leicestershire skipper and English cricketer in Michael Carberry. The left-hander looked determined to play a long innings, but Ishant trapped him in front to end the day on a positive note for Sussex. Leicestershire currently trail by 323 runs with eight first innings wickets in their kitty.

Here is a clip of Ishant Sharma’s knock:

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