Worcestershire vs Sussex: Cheteshwar Pujara century on day two

In just the fourth game of the campaign, Pujara has hit the ground running and having scored a century at New Road against The Pears last season, he repeated that success with a dominant performance to put Sussex firmly in the driving seat.

It was a blistering start from Worcestershire on day two as Ali Orr and Tom Alsop were both dismissed inside the opening two overs. 

First, Alsop was trapped LBW by Joe Leach for 13 and then Orr played at a Ben Gibbon delivery and egded through to Gareth Roderick for 34 in the following over. 

That brought Australian Steve Smith to the crease for his Sussex and County Championship debut, alongside fellow international star Pujara.

Indian star Cheteshwar Pujara and Australian Steve Smith have scored almost 16,000 test runs between them (Image: PA)

The pair made steady progress initially as Gibbon in particular seemed to be causing Smith some problems. 

But two players who have amassed almost 16,000 test runs between them over 198 test matches were always going to make runs and they did get into their stride eventually.

But just as Smith looked to be getting into a good rhythm, Tongue claimed the high-profile wicket, trapping him LBW for 30 runs. 

Steve Smith only managed 30 runs on his debut, before being given out LBW off Josh Tongue (Image: PA)

Whilst Pujara was going about his business without much trouble, Gibbon was causing James Coles issues at the other end and he knicked one through to Roderick for the fifth wicket. 

Rain then caused a delay in the afternoon session, with 13 overs lost whilst the covers were on.

But it was not a lengthy delay and once the players came back onto the pitch, Matthew Waite got his first wicket of the day as Oli Carter went for 23.

All the while, Pujara continued to play brilliantly well and shortly after tea, he completed his century, which included no less than 19 4s and one 6. 

Cheteshwar Pujara batted brilliantly well throughout the afternoon (Image: PA)

Fynn Hudson-Prentice provided the Indian vice-captain with decent support and the pair brought up the 100-run partnership in the 75th over. 

Pujara began to open up and three 4s in a row saw the score hit the 300 mark as Worcestershire began to run out of ideas.

Hudson-Prentice was also in impressive form and he brought up his half-century before he eventually fell LBW off the bowling of Waite for 54.

Leach then had Ollie Robinson caught in the deep by Jack Haynes for an entertaining 33 before Pujara's wonderful innings came to an end when he played one through to Roderick off Tongue.

Leach wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Henry Crocombe before Worcestershire began their reply. 

The Pears could not manage to come through the remaining overs unscathed as Libby was caught by Pujara for 5.

But Pollock and Azhar Ali saw the play through to end the day 34/1.