Sharks skipper's hundred bites Steelbacks

Chris Adams struck a captain's innings of 100 runs off 95 balls to power Sussex Sharks to a 43 runs win at Wantage for only their second National League success this summer.

Chris Adams hammered a quickfire century as Sussex Sharks overcame Northamptonshire Steelbacks by 43 runs at Wantage Road -- only their second National League success of the season.

Adams put on 98 with Tony Cottey (47) following the departure of opener Richard Montgomerie. Then Michael Bevan and Will House hit 58 runs in the last 24 balls to shatter the opposition. The Australian's whirlwind 54 from 29 balls included two sixes and six fours: House was even more devasting in hammering 26 runs from ten deliveries.

For a while Northamptonshire countered effectively thanks to Matthew Hayden (45) and Graeme Swann (30) putting on 47 runs at fractionally under two runs a ball. At 132-2 with 15 overs remaining the game was not lost. then David Sales, who had smashed 35 runs from forty balls, Matthew Hayden and Jeff Cook were out in the space of 14 balls. When Kirtley knocked back Adrian Rollins' middle-stump after his 51 runs stand with David Ripley the match was as good as over.