Cricket

Somerset's clinical performance at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, propelled them to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks, securing their place in the Vitality Blast South Group quarter-finals.Sussex's batting faltered after winning the toss, posting a modest 158 for 9. Harrison Ward's rapid 39 provided a brief spark, but Ben Green's devastating spell of 4 for 17 stifled their progress.Somerset's chase was equally impressive, with George Thomas' blistering 42 and Tom Abell's unbeaten 47 leading the charge. Sean Dickson's 28 and Tymal Mills' 2 for 28 were notable contributions for Sussex.The Sharks' powerplay began promisingly with Daniel Hughes' three consecutive fours and Ward's first six of the match. However, Jack Leach's introduction proved pivotal, removing Ward and triggering a Sussex collapse.Green's double strike in his first over further weakened the visitors, and despite Tom Alsop's brief resistance, James Coles and Nathan McAndrew's run-outs compounded their woes. Green's fourth wicket sealed Sussex's fate.Somerset's openers, Tom Banton and Thomas, set the tone for their chase with a brisk 34-run stand. Thomas' departure for 42 was a minor setback, but Abell and Kohler-Cadmore continued the momentum.Abell's survival of a caught and bowled chance proved crucial, as he and Dickson cleared the ropes to bring Somerset within sight of victory. Dickson's three boundaries off McAndrew sealed the deal, despite his eventual run-out.Somerset's victory not only secured their quarter-final berth but also boosted their chances of hosting a home tie. The Sharks, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

Sussex Sharks have secured a resounding 88-run victory over Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast at Canterbury, boosting their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.After a shaky start that saw them lose four wickets for 64 runs, Sussex recovered magnificently thanks to an unbroken 139-run partnership between Tom Alsop and John Simpson. Alsop led the charge with a blistering 87 off just 41 deliveries, while Simpson played a steady hand with 53 off 39.Kent's hopes had been high after Jas Singh claimed two wickets in three balls, but Alsop's onslaught shattered their momentum. The Sharks' total of 203 for four proved too daunting for the Spitfires, who collapsed to 115 all out with 3.4 overs remaining.James Coles was the star performer for Sussex with the ball, taking four wickets for just 12 runs. Tawanda Muyeye provided some resistance for Kent with an elegant 45 off 25 balls, but the Spitfires were unable to keep up with the required run rate.The victory was a demoralizing blow for Kent, who remain rooted to the bottom of the South Group. Their decision to field first backfired as Marcus O'Riordan's opening over went for 17 runs. Singh's early wickets gave Kent a glimmer of hope, but Alsop and Simpson's partnership proved too strong.Sussex's fielding also played a crucial role in their victory. After a tight first half, Kent's fielding fell apart in the death overs, with dropped catches and missed run outs. Joey Evison's 20th over went for 21 runs, allowing Sussex to launch a final assault.For Kent, Muyeye's early fireworks were not enough to prevent a disappointing defeat. The Spitfires' batting lineup struggled to cope with the pressure of the run rate, and their fielding errors compounded their problems.The victory puts Sussex in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals, while Kent's hopes of reaching the knockout stages are fading fast.

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.

Glamorgan's dominant batting performance propelled them to a resounding 24-run victory over Sussex Sharks in the Vitality Blast at Hove. The visitors amassed a formidable total of 235 for 6, their third-highest in the competition's history, thanks to a blistering start and crucial contributions throughout the innings.Kiran Carlson led the charge for Glamorgan, smashing a career-best 87 off just 47 deliveries. The Glamorgan captain plundered nine fours and three sixes, setting the tone for his team's aggressive approach. Will Smale (33) and Tom Bevan (36) provided valuable support, while Colin Ingram (24) maintained the momentum in the latter stages.Sussex's bowling attack struggled to contain Glamorgan's onslaught, with only Tymal Mills (4-29) offering any resistance. Mills, who is now the competition's leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps, claimed four wickets in the second half of the innings, including the prized scalp of Carlson.In response, Sussex got off to a promising start with Daniel Hughes (74) leading the charge. The Australian left-hander struck four fours and four sixes in his 38-ball knock, but his efforts were not enough to match Glamorgan's imposing total.Mason Crane made an immediate impact for Glamorgan, dismissing Tom Clark and James Coles in his first three deliveries. John Simpson (24) and Hughes shared a brief partnership, but the required run rate proved too daunting.With the rain delay reducing Sussex's target to 79 from 28 deliveries, the Sharks' hopes were effectively extinguished when Hughes holed out to deep backward-square. Glamorgan's bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to secure a comfortable victory.

Sussex Sharks soared to a thrilling seven-run victory over Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast South Group, securing their second spot in the standings. Nathan McAndrew emerged as the hero, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball.McAndrew's blistering 32 off 11 deliveries propelled Sussex to a respectable total of 184 for 8. Tom Alsop's steady 43 off 27 provided a solid foundation, while James Coles contributed 39. Hampshire's Michael Neser impressed with 3 for 32, but McAndrew's late-innings fireworks proved crucial.In response, Hampshire's chase started sluggishly, losing two wickets in the powerplay. James Vince and Joe Weatherley steadied the ship with an 88-run partnership, but Vince's departure for 53 halted their momentum. Weatherley's 68 off 47 kept Hampshire in contention, but McAndrew's economical 1 for 21 and Danny Lamb's resolute defense of 25 off the final over sealed the victory for Sussex.McAndrew's all-round brilliance was the catalyst for Sussex's triumph. His aggressive batting and miserly bowling played a pivotal role in securing the win. Alsop's composed innings and Coles' steady contribution also proved valuable.For Hampshire, Vince's half-century and Weatherley's late surge were commendable, but their overall batting performance fell short of the required rate. Neser's early wickets were impressive, but the team's inability to capitalize on their opportunities ultimately cost them the match.Sussex's victory marks their first Utilita Bowl win since 2020 and extends their lead over Hampshire to six points. The Sharks will look to maintain their momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Hampshire will seek to regroup and improve their batting performance.

Sussex Sharks extended their winning streak in the Vitality Blast to five victories in seven matches after defeating Kent Spitfires by 31 runs at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove. Kent, on the other hand, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.Chasing a target of 202, Kent's pursuit was hindered from the outset when Zak Crawley was dismissed for 4 by Ollie Robinson in the opening over. Marcus O'Riordan followed suit in the second over, edging Nathan McAndrew to first slip.The onus fell on Daniel Bell-Drummond and skipper Sam Billings to salvage Kent's innings. The duo forged a 93-run partnership for the third wicket, providing a glimmer of hope. However, Tymal Mills' introduction into the attack proved pivotal. He dismissed Bell-Drummond and Billings in quick succession, effectively ending Kent's hopes.Despite a spirited knock from Joey Evison and a quickfire 18 from Harry Finch, Kent fell short of the target. Danny Lamb completed an impressive all-round performance with figures of 3 for 37.Earlier, Kent opted to field and made a promising start, restricting Sussex to just three runs in the opening two overs. However, Harrison Ward and Daniel Hughes unleashed a flurry of boundaries, propelling Sussex to 68 without loss from the powerplay.Ward reached his fifty from just 24 balls, showcasing his power-hitting prowess. Kent broke through in the seventh over when Hughes was caught at long-leg attempting a third six off Matt Parkinson. Ward followed soon after, caught on the deep midwicket boundary.Sussex lost five wickets for just 36 runs, but Lamb's late hitting ensured they surpassed 200. Kent's bowlers generally performed well, but Swanepoel and Stewart were disappointing.

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.

Sussex Sharks stunned Surrey with a dominant 36-run victory at the Kia Oval, handing the defending champions their first defeat in this season's Vitality Blast.Tom Alsop's blistering 68 off 36 deliveries and Daniel Hughes' composed 65 off 42 propelled Sussex to an imposing 213 for 7, their highest score against Surrey in the format.Surrey's chase was anchored by Ollie Pope's unbeaten 99, but Sussex's disciplined bowling, led by Nathan McAndrew's 3 for 32, proved too formidable.Alsop, demoted to number six in the Sussex order, played a pivotal role, adding 47 with Hughes and 68 with McAndrew. Hughes' four boundaries in an over from Gus Atkinson showcased his class, while Alsop's eight fours and three sixes kept the Surrey bowlers at bay.McAndrew's late cameo of 29 from 15 pushed Sussex past 200, setting a challenging target for Surrey.Surrey's openers fell cheaply, but Roy and Pope steadied the ship with a 73-run stand. However, Sussex's spinners, Archie Lenham and James Coles, applied pressure, preventing Surrey from accelerating.Roy's dismissal in the 13th over proved crucial, as Lenham and Coles continued to stifle the Surrey batsmen. Smith's brief threat was extinguished by a toe-ended drive, leaving Pope with an insurmountable task.Despite reaching his maiden T20 century in the final over, Pope's efforts were in vain as Sussex secured a well-deserved victory.

Sussex Sharks secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in their Vitality Blast opener at Hove, snatching a bye off the final ball of the match.Chasing 168, Sussex faced a tense final over, needing ten runs to win. Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who had earlier scored 47, was dismissed, but Jack Carson's six and single left Nathan McAndrew facing the final delivery. McAndrew missed the ball, and James Bracey's missed shy at the stumps allowed Sussex to complete a dramatic triumph.Gloucestershire's total of 167 for 8 was built around Jack Taylor's 52. Matt Taylor claimed a hat-trick, but Sussex's John Simpson and Hudson-Prentice combined for a 56-run partnership to keep the chase alive.Despite losing Simpson and Luke Lamb, Hudson-Prentice and Carson maintained the momentum. Ajeet Singh Dale's slower ball set up a thrilling final over, but Sussex held their nerve to secure the win.Jack Taylor's promotion to No. 5 proved effective for Gloucestershire, as he scored his third T20 fifty. However, Tymal Mills' four wickets, including Taylor's dismissal in the final over, proved crucial for Sussex.Gloucestershire's openers, Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft, had provided a solid start, but Carson's two wickets in his debut over put the visitors on the back foot. Bancroft's dismissal to McAndrew's yorker was a highlight of the innings.