Sussex move into second with double victory at Edgbaston, Davies and Adams star

Sussex took a maximum eight points from their trip to the Midlands, beating both Birmingham Bears and Lancashire at the Edgbaston Foundation Ground on Sunday.

In the side’s first match of the day, Sussex were inserted by the hosts and were bowled out for 109 in 19.3 overs.

Captain and opener, Georgia Adams shared partnerships of 29 and 21 with Paige Scholfield (19) and Izzy Collis (14) on her way to top-scoring with 32 off 27 balls.

Linsey Smith chipped in with 26 off 29 balls at number six, but when she was eighth out with the score on 105 Sussex’s innings came to an end soon after.

Defending a small total, Sussex needed their bowlers to get them off to a good start and that’s exactly what happened thanks to the opening pair of Freya Davies and Chiara Green.

Davies struck twice in her first two overs, before Green took two in her third and fourth overs to leave Birmingham 49-4.

The second of Davies’ victims was Ria Fackrell, Birmingham’s top-scorer by some distance with 26.

No other batsman reached double figures as Nancy Harman (1-13) and Adams (3-9) ripped through the middle and lower orders.

It was left to Davies to polish off the tail, with Birmingham all out for 67 in 16.5 overs. The England Academy seamer finished with the superb figures of 4-8 from 2.5 overs as Sussex won by 42 runs.

The second match of the day followed shortly afterwards, with Sussex winning the toss and choosing to bowl.

Lancashire were restricted to 109-6 from their 20 overs, with Davies impressing again with 2-21 from her 4 overs and Beth Harvey (2-19) also snaring a brace. Green and Harman chipped in with a wicket each.

Adams once again top-scored in Sussex’s chase, smashing 61 from 43 balls with 10 fours from the top of the order.

She was ably supported by Collis who played round her captain, stroking 35 not out from 35 balls.

Their 99-run partnership was ended when Adams was caught off the bowling of Natalie Brown, leaving Collis to hit the winning runs and grant Sussex an eight-wicket victory.

The win moves the team to second in the division one table, four points behind leaders Middlesex who beat Nottinghamshire, but lost to Surrey over the weekend.

The final round of matches takes place next Sunday, with Sussex travelling to Welbeck CC for matches against Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.

Scorecards from both of Sussex’s wins on Sunday are available here.