CLYDESDALE BANK 40, Taunton:
Somerset 295-6 beat Sussex 291-8 by four wickets
Somerset 2pts
Match scorecard

Sussex wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd can only watch as Somerset's James Hildreth hits out during his match-winning century

James Hildreth hit a stunning 100 not out off 66 balls as Somerset secured an unlikely four-wicket Clydesdale Bank 40 win over Sussex to go top of Group A.

Chasing 292 to win at Taunton, the home side looked out of it at 109-4, with captain Marcus Trescothick out for 61.

But Hildreth and Jos Buttler (69) put on 158 for the fifth wicket as Somerset got home on 295-6 with nine balls left.

Matt Prior, Michael Thornely and Murray Goodwin had earlier all hit half-centuries as Sussex posted 291-8.

But their efforts were in vain as Hildreth and Buttler turned the game with their stand, which spanned just 16 overs.

Hildreth ended with three sixes and 11 fours in his century, while Buttler's 69 off 53 deliveries included a six and nine boundaries.

Yet, despite their heroics, it was left to Damien Wright, who had earlier taken three wickets, to hit the winning runs on his last outing for Somerset before he is replaced as overseas player by Murali Kartik.

Somerset's victory means they have now won all four of their games in the competition, whilst inflicting a first defeat on previous leaders Sussex.

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