Friends Life T20, Chelmsford
Sussex 168-6 beat Essex Eagles 151-7 by 17 runs
By Jack Bradshaw
England all-rounder Luke Wright smashed an unbeaten 81 to lead Sussex to a comfortable victory over the Essex Eagles at Chelmsford.
Wright hit seven fours and three sixes and shared an opening stand of 106 with Chris Nash (44) as the Sharks recorded their third successive Friends Life T20 victory.
However, the innings lost momentum with Ben Phillips picking up four wickets as Sussex could only reach 168-6 from their 20 overs.
In response, Essex started slowly as Chris Liddle (3-25) took early wickets to reduce the hosts to 36-3.
Despite some resistance from Owais Shah (39) and Scott Styris (20), the Eagles came up short on 151-7 as they were condemned to a second defeat by Sussex within six days.
Rana Naved (2-23) again put in a bowling performance of the highest quality, and the Pakistani is now the competition’s leading wicket taker with nine.
The win sees Sussex move ahead of Hampshire at the top of the South group on the net run-rate although the Royals have played a game more than the Sharks.
