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Men's Cricket

Relive Luke Wright's five T20 centuries for Sussex

7 Mar 2021

To celebrate Luke Wright's birthday, we thought we'd look back on his five T20 centuries for Sussex.

In 2019, the Sharks skipper became the leading run-scorer in the history of English domestic T20 cricket, while last summer, the batsman was the third highest scorer in the entire 2020 Vitality Blast with 411 runs to his name.

Wright has also made more than 50 runs in an innings on 31 occasions, which is more than anyone else, and his top-score of 153 not out is the third-highest individual score in domestic T20 cricket.

Relive his five incredible centuries below... 

Kent vs. Sussex - St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, 26 June 2007

Wright's maiden T20 century came 13 years ago against Kent in Canterbury, and powered Sussex to a comprehensive seven wicket win over their local rivals.

Kent won the toss and their decision to bat first looked to be a sensible one, with Joe Denly (34), Rob Key (62) and Martin van Jaarsveld (42*) helping their side set Sussex a daunting 182 to win. 

When Chris Nash was dismissed for just one by Morne Morkel, the chase was made even more difficult, but as soon as Wright joined Murray Goodwin at the crease, Sussex looked in the mood. 

The duo scored quickly and put together a partnership of 88 before Goodwin was stumped by Geraint Jones off the bowling of James Tredwell. That didn't slow Wright down, however. 

The explosive batsman, who had already passed his previous best T20 score of 26 earlier in the innings, was in irresistible form, hitting eleven fours and six sixes with a strike-rate of 228.89. 

By the time he was eventually bowled by Yasir Arafat for 103, the damage had already been done, with just eight needed for victory. Captain, Chris Adams knocked off the winning runs, but it was certainly Wright who stole the headlines. 

His maiden T20 century came off just 44 balls, took 53 minutes and secured his side a vital two points in a very tight South Group.

Wright vs. Kent

Hampshire vs. Sussex - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton, 18 July 2014

Wright's second T20 century for Sussex came in El Clasicoast against Hampshire at The Ageas Bowl, but came in frustrating circumstances as the hosts were still able to secure a narrow victory. 

Having won the toss, Hampshire batted first and although the dangerous James Vince was bowled by Lewis Hatchett for just two, Michael Carberry scored a fluid 87 and James Adams reached his half-century to help their side finish on 177-3.

Alongside Nash, Wright opened the batting for Sussex and the pair began brightly, putting on an opening stand of 69, but as soon as the captain was bowled for 28 by future Shark, Danny Briggs, things quickly unraveled. 

Wright remained a constant threat throughout the innings, eventually finishing not out on 116, but he was denied assistance from his teammates with no other Sussex batsman reaching double figures. 

With 13 fours and four sixes, Wright's unbeaten century was a quite incredible knock given the collapse around him, but he couldn't quite see Sussex home as Hampshire held on to win by six runs. 

Essex vs. Sussex - The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford, 25 July 2014

Seven days later, after the disappointment in Southampton, Wright produced more fireworks against Essex to make it back-to-back T20 centuries for Sussex. 

Nash's side won the toss and opted to bowl first, but Essex weren't fazed. After Mark Pettini was out for two, Jesse Ryder scored 75, Ryan ten Doeschate finished 30 not out and Tom Westley was unbeaten on 109 as the hosts set Sussex a mammoth 226 to win. 

It would need a then world-record run-chase if Sussex were to secure victory, and Wright duly delivered - in stunning fashion. 

The Sussex batsman scored 50 in 26 balls, reached his 100 off 47 balls and then needed just 18 more deliveries to pass 150. It easily smashed his own best score of 117, and became the highest score in English domestic T20 cricket. 

Wright's astonishing 153* contained 12 fours and eleven sixes in total saw Sussex win by seven wickets, and left Essex shell-shocked. An unforgettable innings.

Wright vs Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire vs. Sussex - County Ground, Bristol, 26 June 2015

Wright powered his side to an impressive victory over Gloucestershire in 2015 thanks to another superb unbeaten century.

His fourth T20 ton for the Sharks came after the home side had opted to bat first, and set their visitors 186 to win following Michael Klinger's 61 and a quickfire 25 from Benny Howell.

Not only was it a day to remember for Wright as he reached three figures once more, but because after scoring 16, he also passed 5000 runs in T20 matches.

Despite the milestone, the batsman was not distracted, and he continued to eat into the imposing total set by Gloucestershire. 

It was a thrilling chase that continued to twist and turn as Sussex lost wickets at regular wickets, but Wright remained at the crease throughout and with seven fours and eight sixes, steered Sussex over the line. 

His 50 came off 37 balls, before he reached his century just 15 deliveries later before eventually finishing 111*. Another incredible performance from Wright to seal the two points on the road. 

Sussex vs. Glamorgan - Arundel, 9 July 2017

Wright's latest T20 ton for the Sharks, and the only one to come on 'home' soil, was another knock which deserved to be on the winning side, but sadly wasn't. 

Ross Taylor won the toss and put Glamorgan into bat first on a boiling hot day at Arundel, and the Welsh side lost both of their openers for just three before Colin Ingram came to the crease and scored the fastest T20 century in the club's history. 

The South African finished not out on 101* as the Sharks were set 199 to win - a target that was always going to be hard to reach. 

Wright gave it his best shot, and scored almost as quickly at Ingram, with his 101 coming off 53 balls and including five fours and seven sixes. 

His impressive knock kept Sussex in the game, but there just wasn't enough support for him from his colleagues. When Wright fell in the 19th over, Glamorgan coasted home to win by 18 runs. 

 

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