Impressive Abi Sakande figures not quite enough in second XI trophy

A young Sussex side lost to unbeaten Middlesex in the second XI trophy on Tuesday at Blackstone CC, as the visitors won by 37 runs to maintain their 100% record in the competition.

Sussex started impressively, full of confidence after last week's two-wicket victory over Kent, with Abi Sakande claiming the early wickets of batsmen Sam Robson and George Scott to leave Middlesex on 4-2 in the third over. 

More quick wickets fell, as Michael Yardy's side looked to beat the table-toppers, and Middlesex opener Max Holden could only watch on as his side were left perilously poised on 52-4 after 18 overs. 

However, the visitors managed to rebuild their innings with Jack Davies, Ollie Rayner and Thilan Walallawita posting 29, 32 and 19 respectively, while Holden was a mainstay throughout.

The opener finished on an excellent 134, before Sakande eventually dismissed him in the 49th over. The fast-bowler enjoyed a brilliant afternoon, finishing on figures of 5-37, and Middlesex ended their innings on 282-8. 

Sussex's chase was handed an early blow as Phil Salt and Kishen Velani fell to Tim Murtagh, before the bowler dismissed Tom Haines for 24 to claim his third wicket and leave Sussex 57-3 after nine overs.

At the halfway mark, Sussex were 139-6, but Tom Nightingale and Matt Stiddard, fresh from his unbeaten 69 against Kent, dug in well to build a partnership of 70 and keep hopes of consecutive wins alive. 

However, with 74 needed off the final nine overs, Sussex knew they had no choice but to accelerate their chase, and when Stiddard and Nightingale were eventually out for 44 and 33, things looked increasingly difficult.

The visitors claimed the final two wickets, of Sakande and Navin Patel, winning with two overs to spare, to secure their place in the second XI trophy semi-finals. 

A scorecard from Tuesday's second XI trophy match, and the final second XI trophy standings, can be found below.