Sussex start T20 campaign with a win and a loss

Sussex began their Vitality Women’s County T20 division one campaign on Sunday with a loss and a win against Middlesex and Yorkshire at Mill Hill School.

Sussex were inserted in the first match of the day and in the absence of significant partnerships struggled to get their innings off the ground.

Freya Davies’ counter-attacking 27 off 28 balls was the highlight as the side reached 107-8 off their 20 overs.

There was a wicket each for Davies, Flora Bertwistle and Tara Norris during Middlesex’s chase, which was led by Fran Wilson who had actually played for Sussex as a guest during their win over the 2018 Aboriginal XI on Friday.

Her 42 and an unbeaten 34 from Sophia Dunkley helped Middlesex to their total for the loss of three wickets and with 13 balls to spare.

Sussex bounced back in their afternoon fixture against Yorkshire. Losing the toss, but fielding first this time, Sussex restricted Yorkshire to 103-6.

Tara Norris took two wickets, with Davies, Chiara Green and Paige Scholfield each taking one each. Linsey Smith was also impressive with the ball, conceding just 16 runs from her four overs.

Sussex’s chase was built around a 79-run third-wicket partnership between Izzy Collis (45) and wicketkeeper Abi Freeborn (37) and the total was chased down with five balls to spare to give Sussex a five-wicket win.

That left Sussex in fifth place after the first round of matches, one of two team with four points.

The women welcome Kent and Surrey to Billingshurst CC this Sunday for the next round of the competition. Sussex will play Kent at 10.30am, Kent will play Surrey at 1.30pm and Sussex will play Surrey at 4.30pm. Entry is free.