Afzaal hundred sinks Sussex

Surrey 346 for 3 (Afzaal 126*, Ramprakash 63) beat Sussex 279 for 8 (Adams 40, Dernbach 3-56) by 67 runs
Scorecard

A magnificent unbeaten 126 from Usman Afzaal powered Surrey to a convincing 67-run win over Sussex at Hove.

Afzaal's hundred, which came from 92 balls, was the cornerstone of Surrey's daunting 346 for 3 - their second-highest one-day total against Sussex - and although the hosts managed to bat out their 50 overs, they fell short by 67 runs. It was a difficult debut for Cory Collymore, the West Indies fast bowler who Sussex signed as a Kolpak a few days ago, and he went wicketless in his nine overs, conceding 71.

Afzaal didn't spare any of the bowlers, however, and nor was his a lone effort. James Benning continued his excellent form with 51 from 48 balls, sharing in a slick opening stand of 81 with Scott Newman, who fell meekly when he drove Robin Martin-Jenkins to mid-off. Benning cruised to his fifty from 45 balls before Tom Smith held onto a sharp return catch. It was Afzaal's partnership with Ramprakash which really hurt Sussex, Afzaal lacing Martin-Jenkins for four behind square before Ramprakash nailed three more off the same bowler.

After Afzaal had lofted Ollie Rayner for six, Ramprakash was yorked by the same bowler for a neat 80-ball 63, but Afzaal motored onwards. Ali Brown scythed 40 from 27 balls to bolster Surrey's total further.

Sussex were never in the chase. Pedro Collins was expensive in his opening spell but Jade Dernbach got the early breakthrough when he bowled Chris Nash for 13. Andy Hodd cracked four fours in his 33 but was trapped leg-before by Matt Nicholson to leave Sussex wobbling on 81 for 3. Unlike Surrey, none of Sussex's batsmen reached fifty - Chris Adams top-scored with a typically pugnacious 40 from 50 balls - and although there were contributions from the middle and lower order, the required run-rate had spiralled to over 12. There were thirties from Murray Goodwin (38) and Michael Yardy (39), and a rollicking 39 from 34 balls from Martin-Jenkins, but nothing to match the strokeplay of Afzaal.

Afzaal capped his own fine day by picking up 2 for 42, and Surrey replace Sussex at fourth in the South East Division table.