Performance's of the Season: T20

In a T20 campaign that saw the Sharks reach their third consecutive quarter-final in as many years, there were number of standout performances along the way. We’ve taken a look back at three of the best, which have all been nominated for our Performance of the Season award… 

 

David Wiese vs. Middlesex (A) – 79* off 46 balls 

David Wiese’s magnificent unbeaten 79 saw Sussex beat hosts Middlesex by three wickets in a thrilling Vitality Blast clash at Lord’s. 

Wiese’s 50 came in just 33 balls as he pulled Finn savagely to the boundary, before the Sharks’ all-rounder hit three sixes and eight fours. There was a short concern when Wiese survived a catch from a James Harris no-ball but the Sharks went on to recover from 67-5 to reach a victory target of 166 with four balls to spare and go top of the South group. 

After the game, Wiese said: "It was a good game of cricket and a pity there wasn’t a crowd here to appreciate it. 

"It was chaotic when the no-ball happened. I felt a bit silly and I was also a bit confused. I actually thought I was out, but then the umpire adjudged it was a no-ball for above head height. 

"I was busy walking off when the umpire called me back. In the middle of it all the ball was rolling about – it was just chaos.” 

 

George Garton vs. Middlesex (H) – Figures of 4-27 and 24 off nine balls 

George Garton had a day to remember when the Sharks faced Middlesex at Hove, with four wickets and a match-winning cameo of 24 from just nine balls, as Luke Wright’s side beat Middlesex by three wickets to keep their quarter-final hopes alive in the Vitality Blast. 

Garton took four wickets for the second time in his T20 career to help restrict Middlesex to 155 for eight, before making a spectacular contribution with the bat when he blasted 20 from five balls during the penultimate over from Steven Finn.  

Garton joined Aaron Thomason in the 17th over with Sussex still needing 45 to win, but the all-rounder swung the game back in favour of the Sharks by hitting Finn for two straight sixes and two boundaries. 

After the game, Garton said: "When I came in to bat it was a sticky situation so I tried to take the pressure off and have some fun. We knew we only needed one good over and fortunately I had a swing and it came off. 

"It would have been annoying had we lost because we had got ourselves into such a good position at the start. We felt their score was a bit under-par but to be fair to Middlesex their bowlers put us under pressure in the middle overs. 

It was nice to get some wickets as well. I know what my role in the side is now, which is to try and bowl aggressively in the power play and today it paid off." 

 

Luke Wright vs. Hampshire (A) – 83 off 59 balls 

Luke Wright struck his second half-century of the Vitality Blast to send Sussex Sharks second in the South Group with a 13-run victory over ‘El Clasicoast’ rivals Hampshire.  

Wright’s first tournament half-century came in the previous ‘El Clasicoast’ fixture, when the skipper recorded almost identical stats of 82 runs off 55 balls. 

Wright’s classy 83 in this match helped his side to 159 for 5, and saw him sail to the top of the Blast run-scoring charts. 

After the game, Wright said: “It was an important win after the break to win here especially as the conditions were very much against us. 

“The feedback we got from Chris Jordan with England was that it would get under the lights even though it was so used. From that point of view everyone did a great job. 

“For me David Wiese was the man of the match. He changed the game, no one else struck the ball like him on that wicket. 

“For me that was perfect as it allowed me to anchor the innings and try and go at the end. He is an unbelievable player and always does it when we need him.