Wells propels Sussex to vital victory

Sussex 284 (Philander 73*, Finch 61, McKay 4-35) and 234 for 5 (Wells 90*) beat Leicestershire 340 (Cosgrove 128, Archer 5-67) and 175 (Archer 6-70) by five wickets
Scorecard

Luke Wells' 90 not out, guided Sussex to a five-wicket victory on the final afternoon of the Specsavers Division Two Championship match against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground.

Needing early breakthroughs when Sussex resumed chasing 232 to win, Leicestershire did dismiss nightwatchman Danny Briggs when only five runs had been added to the visitors' overnight score of 100 for 2. Clint McKay found the edge of the right-hander's bat, and Paul Horton at first slip held a brilliant catch one-handed to his left when the ball seemed to have gone past him.

Wells, having resumed on 27 not out, had played himself back in though, and he received solid support from Stiaan van Zyl in compiling a partnership of 70 for the fourth wicket. Neither batsman took unnecessary risks, though Wells did go to his half-century in style, hitting offspinner Colin Ackermann for a beautifully timed straight six.

He lost van Zyl shortly before lunch, when the South African unaccountably decided to leave a delivery from Ben Raine bowled from around the wicket which went on to knock his off stump out of the ground.

Luke Wright went shortly after the break, edging a catch to Horton at first slip off Zak Chappell, and if Ned Eckersley had held a Wells edge behind the stumps off the same bowler shortly afterwards, Leicestershire might have had entertained hopes of an unlikely victory. The chance was spilled, however, and Wells and former Leicestershire player Michael Burgess saw the visitors home.