Sussex Sharks VI vs Kent Spitfires VI

Sussex Sharks VI vs Kent Spitfires VI: Match Report

On Saturday reigning T20 Champions Sussex Sharks made the journey to 2nd Division Kent Spitfires in the first round of this years competition. 

Sussex stand in skipper Ian “Tiny” Morris lost the toss and Kents Tom Barton had no  hesitation in asking the visitors to have a bat.

On a  tricky slightly 2  paced pitch Sussex started cautiously  and lost their first wicket with the score on 48  when Charlton Davis took a  smart running catch down at fine leg to dismiss Mark Bond for 25. 

The Sussex innings was anchored by Joe Harrison  who carried his bat for   an unbeaten 63 off 53 balls, bringing up his 50 with a  cheeky reverse swept 4  through third Man. 

Si Ledwith joined  Joe and turned the match with a  blistering 60 not out off just 36 balls including seven 4s and a monster 6 over long on. The Sussex innings closed on 183 for 2. 

The Kent bowlers had all been steady and some great ground fielding had kept Sussex to a  challenging but potentially chasable total.

The Kent innings began very steadily  before losing opener Lee Robshaw for 34 with the score on 59 in the 9th over. 

With Kent behind the rate they struggled to time the ball and reach the boundary, Marcus Kiplings 4  overs for just 11 with 2  wickets kept the asking rate rising and despite Tom Bartons 44 not out anchoring the innings none of the other batters could get going and the innings closed on  108 for 3.

Despite the margin Kent  put in an excellent battling performance  to never let Sussex get away and kept working hard throughout the whole game. Sussex will now move on to the quarter finals where they will host the winner of Dorset and Berkshire, 2  clubs from the Southern development league making their first appearance in the National T20 competition.

Sussex next game will be home to Lancashire at Blackstone on Saturday 1st June 1pm start, all are very welcome.