Sussex score too many for Yorkshire

Michael Bevan's 89 n.o. was instrumental in Sussex Sharks defeating Yorkshire Phoenix by 70 runs in their National League Division One match at Arundel. The Australian now averages 105 from eight innings in the competition. The visitors never looked like reaching their 273 runs target and were out for 202 with three overs to go.

Bevan hit eight fours in only 81 balls at the crease against his former side. Yet he had been missed at long-off when still in single figures. His compatriot Darren Lehmann had almost matched his performance in scoring 89 in as many deliveries and shared a 68 runs eighth-wicket partnership with Ryan Sidebottom.

Yorkshire had got off to a slow start to their quest with Matthew Wood and David Byas scoring 49 runs in 11 overs. After the fall of two wickets Byas, too, was dismissed - to a spectacular run out to James Kirtley.

Sussex' win had been set up in the 76 opening stand in 15 overs between Chris Adams (54) and Richard Montgomerie (44). The former hit five fours and a six in his fourth consecutive half-century and his 47 runs stand with Bevan set the Australian on the way to his own match-winning innings.

Ninety-eight runs were scored of the last 66 balls. Will House, who hit 32 runs from 24 deliveries, helped Bevan put on 58 runs for the fifth wicket. Bevan hammered Paul Hutchinson for three boundaries out of 18 runs in the final over.