Nash ton leads Sussex to victory

Sussex returned to the top of Group A in the Clydesdale Bank 40 as Chris Nash's maiden one-day century set up a 19-run victory over Kent at Canterbury.

Nash hit an unbeaten 124 while Luke Wright scored 41 as Sussex set a total of 249 all out after being put in to bat. Rob Key top scored with 59 in reply but Kent were never able to keep up with the required rate as they suffered their third defeat in five games in the competition.

Nash had made a first century of the season in the last round of County Championship matches against Somerset and carried on where he left off. He set the tone by crashing Azhar Mahmood for three boundaries in the first over and together with Ed Joyce put on 50 for the first wicket.

Joyce was caught at mid off trying to hit James Tredwell's first ball out of the ground but it did not halt Sussex's momentum as Luke Wright came in to put on 77 with Nash for the second wicket. Wright fell for 41 as he holed out trying to hit down the ground and it was left to Nash to hold together the Sussex innings.

Nash brought up his 50 off 50 balls with seven fours and then hit Adam Ball for the only six of the match on his way to passing his previous best one-day score of 85.

The 28-year-old completed his century with a single of James Tredwell but Sussex floundered in the last ten overs as they went from 180 for three to 249 all out, including losing four wickets for two runs in the final over.

Kent's reply was hindered when Joe Denly and Matt Coles fell in quick succession which left Key and Martin van Jaarsveld to rebuild their innings.

They put on 48 together in cautious fashion before Nash pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss van Jaarsveld for 24 off the bowling of Monty Panesar. Rana Naved then dropped a simple chance at mid-off when Darren Stevens was just four and it looked like being costly as Stevens went on to hit 43 from just 37 balls.

Rana made amend by trapping Stevens lbw and Kent's hopes looked over when Key followed soon after for 59. Geraint Jones and Azhar Mahmood briefly threatened to set up a dramatic finish but both fell in successive balls to Yardy and Rana as Sussex ran out comfortable winners.