Friends Life T20, Hove
Middlesex Panthers 164-5 beat Sussex Sharks 163-8 by 5 wickets
By Jack Bradshaw
Sussex Sharks lost their first T20 game of the year to Middlesex who got over the line with only one ball to spare in a thrilling encounter at Hove.
The defeat brought an end to an unbeaten run of 12 games in all competitions for the Sharks, who now sit second in the Friends Life South Division.
Batting first, Luke Wright was the mainstay of the Sharks’ innings for the second game in succession as the England all-rounder smashed 71 off 45 deliveries.
Wright’s knock included seven fours and two sixes but he found little support as the hosts struggled to 163-8 from their 20 overs.
Rana Naved gave some late impetus to the innings, blasting 19 off 7 balls, after Neil Dexter (4-21) tore through the Sussex middle order.
In reply, Middlesex started well with openers Paul Stirling (25) and Chris Rogers (46) laying the platform for Scott Newman to take the visitors home.
Newman hit an unbeaten 39 as he held his nerve to help the Panthers record their first victory of the competition and climb off the bottom of the table.
Sussex have been in excellent form of late and will be looking to bounce straight back when they host Somerset on Tuesday (14 June) night at the Probiz County Ground.
