Sussex secure victory over Surrey

A wonderful game of cricket at Hove ended in great tension as Sussex crept home by four wickets in the key game of the Frizzell County Championship.

Robin Martin-Jenkin's sensible 23 not out - with four boundaries - saw his side over the winning line after a mid-innings wobble had threatened to hand the game to top of the table Surrey.

Earlier Murray Goodwin (100) and captain Chris Adams (62) looked to be guiding their side to a comfortable victory in a stand of 106, with Adams hitting Surrey's new signing Mushtaq Ahmed out of the attack with three successive fours. But when they both fell in quick succession with about 50 still needed, it took some calm heads to steer Sussex to victory.

Surrey stay top despite only taking three points from the game, but Sussex have moved into genuine title contention with 16 points and move into third place, though they have played a game more than some of their competitors.

Hampshire skipper Will Kendall did his best to contrive a result in the game in Manchester, declaring his side's innings on 122-8 after Shaun Udal was out for 24. That left Lancashire with a lead of 41, which they soon extended through Mark Chilton and Alec Swann. But the rain returned to bring about an early close and an almost inevitably drawn match. Lancashire take six points; Hampshire seven.

In the second division game at Kidderminster, Worcestershire extended their overnight 253-4 to 336-5 before declaring. Hick finally went for 126, but the highly promising Gareth Batty struck a brisk 66 not out with nine fours and a couple of sixes to further bolster his side's position.

Set a nominal 377 to win, Notts started well, with Gallian and Welton posting 69 for the first wicket. But Alamgir Sheriyar struck twice to revive Worcestershire' hopes before Usman Afzaal (91) and Paul Johnson (56 not out) steadied the ship with a stand of 117.

In the end too much time had been lost to rain and the captains agreed to settle for a draw: Worcestershire take eight points to move them into the top three in the promotion race while Notts take seven points, though 0.75 has been deducted for a slow over rate.