Sussex book place at Finals Day

Ollie Robinson played in the first of yesterday's two 2nd XI fixtures

Sussex guaranteed a first-placed finish in the South Group of the Second XI T20 competition after a win and a loss against Hampshire at The 1st Central County Ground on Tuesday.

The results mean Sussex finish the group stage with seven wins, an abandonment and just two defeats and have booked themselves a spot at next Thursday’s Finals Day at Arundel Castle CC.

The team suffered a wobble in Tuesday’s first game as Hampshire secured a huge 132-run victory. Winning the toss and batting first, the visitors racked up an imposing 207 for 4 from their 20 overs thanks largely to a wonderful 105 from 60 balls from Academy batsman Toby Albert.

There were two wickets for Henry Crocombe, one each for Stuart Meaker and Sean Hunt, while the returning Ollie Robinson was Sussex’s most economical bowler, conceding 30 runs from his 4 overs.

A full scorecard is available here.

The day’s second match was a thriller, with Sussex ultimately prevailing by two wickets with one ball to spare.

After again being asked to field first, Sussex restricted Hampshire to 143 for 7 from their 20 overs. Sussex Academy and East Grinstead CC player Tom Hinley picked up three wickets with his left-arm wrist spin, while there was one each for Hunt, Meaker, Joe Sarro and James Coles. Coles finished with 1 for 2 from his two overs.

Seven Sussex batsmen made it to double figures, but Ed Taylor’s 26 from 16 balls was the top score in Sussex’s chase. Having been well placed at 85 for 3, Sussex lost four wickets for 18 runs were left requiring a further 41 runs from 26 balls with three wickets remaining. A 35-run partnership between Joe Pocklington (13* off 14) and Meaker (16 off 11) then took Sussex to the verge of victory, before Pocklington and Sarro completed the job.

A full scorecard is available here.

Spectator information for Finals Day at Arundel Castle CC on Thursday 24th June will be communicated shortly.