A cricketer came face to face with a suspected thief shortly before his team were due to go out and bat.
Three Bridges Cricket Club captain Danny Alderman confronted a man in his team’s away dressing room but the suspect escaped.
Two-hundred pounds in cash, a wallet, an iPhone 4 and a watch were stolen from team members when Three Bridges played Chichester on Saturday (May 11).
Mr Alderman said: “We were halfway through warm-ups when we realised someone had left the door unlocked and I went back and saw this person in the back of the changing room. As soon as he saw me he threw something on the ground, which I think was my wallet.
“I couldn’t get near enough to stop him. I said, ‘what are you doing’ and he protested his innocence. I ran after him, but he went back into the changing room, locked the door and escaped out of the back of the pavillion.
“It was particularly frustrating thing to happen before the game, not only that I couldn’t stop the guy but that we brought it on ourselves.
“I hope they catch him.”
The suspect was described as white, mid-30s, black short hair with a grey hoodie and blue jeans. Call police on 101 quoting serial 0625 of 11/5.
The match was rained off.