Cricket

Sussex Sharks extended their winning streak in the Vitality Blast to seven victories in ten matches after defeating Hampshire by 22 runs at Hove. Hampshire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals dwindle with only two wins from their campaign.Chasing a target of 201, Hampshire's start was marred by early wickets. Ben McDermott was run out in the first over, while Tom Prest fell in the second. However, James Vince and Joe Weatherley revived Hampshire's innings with a 59-run partnership. Vince struck a six over midwicket, while Weatherley contributed 34 runs before being dismissed.Vince's departure for 32 left Hampshire in a precarious position. A spirited partnership between Toby Albert and Benny Howell kept them in contention, but wickets continued to fall. Albert was bowled by James Coles, Fuller was caught at midwicket, and Howell was run out.Hampshire's innings ended on 178 in 19.1 overs, falling short of the target. Coles emerged as the standout bowler for Sussex, claiming 4-34.Sussex's innings was highlighted by an 83-run partnership between Tom Clark and Coles. Clark scored 37 off 26 balls, while Coles contributed 46 off 33 deliveries. Harrison Ward provided an early impetus with a 39-run knock, while Tom Alsop and Danny Lamb also made significant contributions.Hampshire's bowlers struggled to contain Sussex's aggressive batting lineup. Chris Wood and Fuller were the most economical, but the Sharks maintained a high scoring rate throughout.

Sussex Sharks secured a resounding 48-run victory over Gloucestershire in a Vitality Blast encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium, completing a double over their South Group rivals.Dan Hughes and James Coles were the architects of Sussex's triumph, smashing half-centuries to propel their team to an imposing 208 for 6. Hughes, the Australian opener, led the charge with a blistering 65 off 37 deliveries, while Coles contributed a rapid 54 from 33 balls. The duo shared a match-winning 113-run stand for the third wicket, peppering the Gloucestershire bowlers with eight sixes and 22 fours.Gloucestershire's bowlers struggled to contain the Sussex onslaught, with only Josh Shaw and David Payne escaping severe punishment. Shaw claimed 3 for 27, including the wicket of Hughes, while Payne took 1 for 21.In reply, Gloucestershire never threatened to chase down the target, despite a valiant effort from Cameron Bancroft. The Australian opener top-scored with 42, but his innings was in vain as the home side fell well short at 160 for 8.Sussex's disciplined bowling attack, led by Ollie Robinson, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, and Tymal Mills, kept Gloucestershire in check. Robinson conceded just 11 runs in three overs with the new ball, while Hudson-Prentice and Mills each picked up two wickets.The victory marked Sussex's third in four games, while Gloucestershire suffered their fourth defeat in a row. The Sharks now sit in a strong position in the South Group, while Gloucestershire face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.