Sussex seamer Henry Crocombe took a historic hat-trick and claimed five wickets for 56 runs to bowl out title-chasers Somerset for 202 on the first day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match at the County Ground, Hove, on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Crocombe, who will join Surrey next season, polished off the Somerset innings in cloudy and humid conditions. This bowling performance severely damaged Somerset’s hopes of winning their first-ever County Championship title. Somerset entered the match in second place on 133 points, just two points behind leaders Nottinghamshire.
After bowling Somerset out in 58 overs, Sussex reached 77-2 in reply at the close of play. They now trail by 125 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Well, that was quite the finish…
Crocombe’s hat-trick wraps up Somerset’s innings! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pftZrNia8q
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) August 27, 2026
Crocombe’s Historic Hat-Trick
The 24-year-old Eastbourne bowler tore through the Somerset lower order after tea. Somerset had recovered to a respectable 191-5 before Crocombe initiated a sudden collapse. The visitors lost their final five wickets for just 11 runs in a dramatic session.
Crocombe began his decisive spell by dismissing Craig Overton for 54. Overton attempted a shot down the leg-side, but he edged the ball to wicketkeeper John Simpson. On the next delivery, Crocombe bowled a fast ball to Migael Pretorius. Pretorius edged the ball to third slip, where Tom Haines took a sharp catch.
With Somerset now seven wickets down, Jack Leach walked out to face the hat-trick ball. Leach pushed forward to a defensive shot but edged the ball straight into the gloves of Simpson. The Sussex players celebrated as Crocombe completed the first hat-trick for Sussex in 25 years. Jason Lewry last achieved the feat for the county in 2001.
Wonderful day for Henry Crocombe, a 5 wicket haul , and the first 1st class hatrick @SussexCCC for 25 years #GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/oVNuqDMZkw
— BBC Sport Sussex (@BBCSussexSport) August 27, 2026
“I genuinely was not thinking about the hat-trick,” Crocombe said after the match. “Sean Hunt came up to me and told me about it. You have to bowl a straight ball on a hat-trick delivery. You must make the batsman play. It just worked out.”
Somerset’s Early Collapse and Recovery
Earlier in the day, Sussex won the toss and chose to bowl first. In the second over of the morning, Sussex bowler Sean Hunt dismissed opener Tom Lammonby for a duck. Josh Thomas, who scored a century in his previous match against Essex, joined Tom Abell at the crease. With Somerset’s score on 48, Thomas edged a delivery from Crocombe to Simpson. Two balls later, Crocombe bowled Henry Nicholls through the gate for a duck to leave Somerset reeling at 48-3.
Hunt then claimed his second wicket when he dismissed Archie Vaughan for 20. At lunch, Somerset had slumped to 93-4 after 29 overs. Shortly after the interval, Hunt dismissed James Rew, who nicked a ball behind to Simpson. Hunt finished with 3 wickets and gave 31 runs from his overs.
A 95-run partnership between Tom Abell and the returning Craig Overton rescued Somerset from a complete disaster. Abell scored 72 runs, while Overton contributed a quick 54 runs. However, part-time bowler Tom Clark broke the partnership. On the very next ball, Clark dismissed Somerset captain Lewis Gregory, who drove a gentle catch back to the bowler.
Sussex Reply at Stumps
Sussex began their first innings in the evening session and lost two early wickets. Lewis Gregory dismissed opener Tom Haines for 8, when Haines worked an in-swinging delivery to Tom Lammonby at square leg.
CLOSE: Bad light brings an early end to Day 1 in Hove.
Somerset were bowled out for 202 before early strikes from Pretorius and Gregory reduced Sussex to 77/2.
Tom Clark (45*) and Charlie Tear (10*) remain at the crease. Sussex trail by 125 runs.#YouAreSomerset #SUSvSOM pic.twitter.com/RnGW1ft4tg
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) August 27, 2026
Dan Hughes scored 11 runs before Migael Pretorius trapped him leg-before-wicket. Tom Clark then joined opener Charlie Tear to stabilise the innings. Clark played aggressively, hitting one six and seven fours in his score of 45 not out. Clark and Tear remain at the crease as Sussex trail by 125 runs.
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