Gloucestershire 133 for 2 (Bancroft 49, Hammond 46) defeated Sussex 132 for 9 (Ibrahim 30, Singh Dale 4-15, Akhter 3-25) by eight wickets (DLS method)
Ajeet Singh Dale delivered a career-best performance with the ball, guiding Gloucestershire to an emphatic eight-wicket win against Sussex Sharks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium.
Displaying formidable pace, the 24-year-old fast bowler claimed 4 for 15 in nine overs, helping to restrict Sussex to 132 for 9 in a rain-shortened 41-over match. Fellow pacer Zaman Akhter was equally effective, taking 3 for 25, his best figures in List-A cricket, while Danial Ibrahim top-scored for the visitors with 30.
Chasing 132 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, Gloucestershire comfortably reached their target with 21 overs to spare. Cameron Bancroft played a commanding innings of 49 not out, complemented by Miles Hammond’s rapid 46 off 28 balls.
This victory keeps Gloucestershire in contention for the knockout stages from Group B, provided they win their remaining matches against Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Sussex, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the table after their sixth consecutive defeat in the 50-over competition.
Gloucestershire captain Jack Taylor won the toss and chose to bowl first against an inexperienced Sussex batting lineup on a green-tinged pitch. His decision quickly paid off as Singh Dale bowled with impressive speed, dismantling the top order with a devastating new-ball spell of 3 for 11 in seven overs, including three maidens.
Henry Rogers edged to Bancroft at second slip, while the in-form Tom Clark sent a thick edge to Hammond at backward point. Charlie Tear, after being given a reprieve when Matt Taylor dropped a sharp return catch, was soon squared up by Singh Dale and caught by Bancroft, leaving Sussex at 19 for 3.
Singh Dale, showcasing genuine pace and accuracy, delivered his most impactful List-A performance since taking 4 for 58 against Northants a year ago. When Akhter took over, he maintained the pressure with a precise six-over spell that yielded 2 for 22. Frustrated by the tight bowling, Oli Carter was bowled for 10 while attempting a drive, and Zach Lion-Cachet was dismissed for a gritty 27 as Sussex stumbled to 65 for 5.
Gloucestershire continued to dominate after the rain break, with slow left-armer Graeme van Buuren inducing Bertie Foreman to cut uppishly to backward point. Upon resumption, Sussex quickly lost another wicket as Ibrahim mis-timed a pull shot, offering a return catch to Akhter after scoring 30 from 57 balls.
Singh Dale then had Aristides Karvelas caught at mid-on, improving his previous best figures and reducing Sussex to 106 for 8. Archie Lenham managed a valuable 24 before being run out by substitute fielder Joe Phillips, concluding an innings that included just 11 fours.
Hammond and Bancroft swiftly set the tone for the chase, with a partnership of 73 in nine overs. Karvelas was expensive with the new ball, conceding 31 runs in three overs. Gloucestershire's openers capitalised on the loose bowling, reaching 50 runs in seven overs. Hammond showed aggressive intent by hitting Jack Campbell for three sixes in a row, scoring a quick-fire 46 before being dismissed by Sean Hunt.
Bancroft continued the onslaught, hitting a free hit for six over mid-wicket off Ibrahim, ensuring there was no slowdown in the scoring rate. Despite Hunt dismissing Ollie Price, Bancroft remained unbeaten, his 53-ball innings including five fours and a six, as Gloucestershire drew level on points with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and improved their net run rate.