Sussex beat Oxfordshire by 5 wickets

Sussex beat Oxfordshire by 5 wickets as the team prepared for the start of the Royal London Cup on Tuesday against Nottinghamshire.

Tom Alsop captained the side in the absence of Tom Haines and Cheteshwar Pujara, and won the toss, electing to bowl.

The decision certainly paid off as the Sussex bowling attack restricted Oxfordshire’s run rate to no more than 4 an over throughout the innings.

Sean Hunt returned to the Sussex side this Summer following a period on the sidelines, taking wickets regularly in the County Championship and that form has continued in the 50-over game.

Hunt finished with 3 wickets from his 7.2 overs bowled, conceding just 28 runs. There was also 3 wickets for Ari Karvelas, who has made an instant impact after being signed on one-month deal just two weeks ago.

Sussex bowled out Oxfordshire for 204 runs in 46.2 overs and quickly set about chasing down the total, which looked to be short of a defendable score.

The Oxfordshire attack consisted of two familiar faces, as Harrison Ward and James Coles both featured for the club they have represented at youth level.

Delray Rawlins top-scored for Sussex, making 82 from 66 balls in a fine knock that ensured the chase was relatively simple. Although, it was his teammate Coles who eventually took his wicket.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who recently returned as a batter following a stress fracture to the back, provided crucial support, reaching 49 not-out, alongside Oli Carter (20*) as Sussex reached 209 runs in just 32.5 overs.