Sussex handled their business against Kent on Friday, winning by 34 runs. Daniel Hughes got the ball rolling with 48 runs, and despite no one getting a half-century, the team still posted a tough-to-beat 195. Kent had a shot as long as Harry Finch was at the crease—and he played great for his 56—but once he fell, the rest of the lineup just folded.
Danny Lamb was instrumental in dismantling Kent’s innings. His 5 for 15 came at key moments and included the final two wickets in the last over. Tymal Mills added 3 for 20, making sure Kent never truly got back into the game.
Kent’s Decision to Bowl First Backfires
Kent’s choice to field first seemed shaky from the outset. Sussex started steadily, reaching 30 without loss before Jack Leaning removed Harrison Ward for 11.
Hughes then accelerated, slamming 48 before falling to Tom Rogers. By the halfway mark, Sussex were already at 112 for 2.
The second half of the innings was less fluid. Joey Evison bowled James Coles for 12. Tom Clark, after a promising 43, fell lbw trying to scoop Nathan Gilchrist. Tom Alsop was given out caught behind off Klaassen, although the call came from square leg and left many confused.
Late in the innings, Kent’s bowlers leaked runs. Gilchrist’s 19th over included a wide, three no-balls—one of them a beamer—and two wickets. It went for 18 runs.
Sussex ended with a competitive total, aided by a boundary fumbled over the rope on the final ball.
Kent’s Response Crumbles After Early Spark
Chasing 196, Kent had a shaky start. James Coles dismissed Tawanda Muyeye early, but Finch arrived and briefly reignited the home crowd.
Finch hit 50 from just 21 balls. It looked like he might take the game away from Sussex until he was caught by Hughes at third man off Henry Crocombe.
Momentum shifted after that. Joe Denly was bowled by a deceptive slower ball from Lamb. Bell-Drummond mistimed a shot and was caught brilliantly by Crocombe, sprinting in from the boundary.
Mills then had Sam Billings caught on the rope and later bowled Leaning. Evison holed out to Lamb. The chase unraveled quickly.
Final Overs Seal the Outcome
With the required rate soaring past 14 an over, Kent’s lower order had no answers.
Lamb returned for the final over, needing to defend 36. He bowled Gilchrist first ball, and ended it by clean-bowling Klaassen with two balls to spare.
By then, the writing was on the wall, and the Canterbury fans were already making their way out. It’s a huge result for Sussex, who stay in the hunt. For Kent, it’s another blow—and they need answers, fast.
