TWENTY20 CUP, SOUTH DIVISION, Hove:
Essex 148 beat Sussex 131 by 17 runs (Essex 2pts, Sussex 0pts)

Bopara's 45 came from 31 balls, with three fours and two sixes

England pair Ravi Bopara and Graham Napier helped Essex to a tight Twenty20 Cup defeat of Sussex at Hove.

Chasing 149 to win, the hosts looked to be on course when Dwayne Smith's 30 helped them to 75-3.

But Napier (3-21) trapped the West Indian lbw, as he and Chris Wright (4-24) ensured that Sussex could only muster 131 all out.

Earlier, Bopara top scored with 45 as Essex were dismissed for 148 in 19.4 overs after winning the toss.

The win puts Essex third in the South Division, level on points with Kent, but a point behind Surrey, who have played a game more.

Sussex remain fifth, with one win from three matches.

Bopara and Napier, along with wicketkeeper James Foster, will line up against Surrey on Friday before joining up with the England World Twenty20 squad on Saturday.

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