Sussex Sharks secured their seventh win in ten Vitality Blast matches with a 22-run victory over Hampshire at Hove. With only two wins so far, Hampshire now faces an uphill battle to reach the quarter-finals, needing to win all their remaining games.
Chasing a target of 201, Hampshire had a disastrous start, losing two wickets in the first two overs. In the opening over, overseas player Ben McDermott was run out after calling for a single off Ollie Robinson’s hit to extra-cover. The next oversaw Tom Prest lob a catch to Tom Clark at mid-on off James Coles' bowling.
James Vince and Joe Weatherley then revived Hampshire’s innings with a quick 59-run partnership in just six overs. Vince showcased his power by hitting Danny Lamb for a six over midwicket and out of the ground. Weatherley, who was dropped on 21 by Lamb, contributed with four fours and a six in his 23-ball 34 before skying a catch to Alsop at deep mid-off off Jack Carson’s delivery.
Vince's dismissal by Lamb for 32 put Hampshire under pressure again. A determined 50-run partnership between Toby Albert and Benny Howell in five overs kept their hopes alive. However, while they maintained the required run-rate, they continued to lose wickets. Albert was bowled by Coles, James Fuller was caught at midwicket off Coles, and Howell was run out when Liam Dawson did not leave his crease after Howell called for a quick single. Hampshire eventually collapsed to 178 all out in 19.1 overs.
The highlight of Sussex’s innings was an 83-run partnership in nine overs between Clark and Coles. Despite a good start by Hampshire, dismissing Daniel Hughes for a duck in the third over, Sussex maintained a strong scoring rate. Harrison Ward’s aggressive 39 off 20 deliveries, featuring six fours and two sixes, propelled Sussex to 57 in the six-over power play, despite John Turner conceding 20 runs in one over. Ward was eventually caught by Vince at mid-off off Fuller’s bowling.
Clark and Coles, the only right-hander in the top six, then consolidated the innings. Coles hit five fours and a six in his 33-ball 46, while Clark added five fours in his 37 off 26 balls. After their departure, former Hampshire player Tom Alsop continued the momentum with a quick 35 off 17 deliveries, including six fours, while Lamb added 22 off 13 balls. On a challenging night for bowlers, Chris Wood and Fuller stood out for Hampshire.
In the end, Sussex's consistent scoring throughout the innings ensured a total that Hampshire couldn't surpass, securing a well-deserved victory for the Sharks.