FRIENDS PROVIDENT t20, Hove:
Sussex 155-7 beat Somerset 103 by 52 runs
Match scorecard

Craig Kieswetter and Sussex skipper Mike Yardy pose with the trophy

Defending Twenty20 champions Sussex got the new campaign off to a winning start as they stunned 2005 winners Somerset with an impressive 52-run win at Hove.

England T20 all-rounder Luke Wright top scored for Sussex in the home side's 155-7 with 39 off just 19 deliveries.

But Jos Buttler (27) was run out before main dangerman Craig Kieswetter holed out on the deep cover boundary for 47.

And, with the Sussex spinners cleverly applying the brakes, Somerset fell well short to be bowled out for just 103.

The last six Somerset wickets went down for just 13 runs, James Kirtley taking 3-3, as Sussex, having been put in, won with ease in the end on a cold, damp night at Hove.

It was almost a repeat of last year's Edgbaston final when Somerset were bowled out for 107, chasing Sussex's 172-7.

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick told BBC Somerset:

"It's not quite gone our way and they outperformed us. That's the way it goes at times.

"We must not get too down about this disappointing performance and move on pretty quick. You have to in this sort of game.

"There are 16 games in the competition and the top four go through. There are going to be great days and bad days. You have to roll with the punches and move on to the next game and hopefully come back better."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version