Sussex win after skittling Lancashire

Teenager Tim Ambrose was the star of the show as Sussex crushed Lancashire by 138 runs in their NUL day-night match at Hove.

The 18-year-old Australian-born wicket-keeper/batsman made 87 and then took two catches and pulled off a smart stumping to help ease Sussex to an emphatic victory.

Replying to the home side's 229-5, Lancashire were bowled out for just 91 in 31.2 overs with only Neil Fairbrother, who made an unbeaten 37, offering much resistance.

Ambrose made 87 in only his second match, putting on 99 with Richard Montgomerie, who hit his sixth half-century in the competition this season, and 54 with skipper Chris Adams.

Ambrose looked likely to crown an impressive Hove debut with a century, but he was run out by Mike Smethurst's throw from long on as he scampered back for a second run.

Will House bludgeoned 28 off 17 balls at the end and Lancashire's reply got off to the worst possible start.

Pinch-hitter Glen Chapple was brilliantly caught at slip by Adams off James Kirtley and Andy Flintoff perished in the third over when Ambrose caught a skier off a top-edged pull to leave his side 3-2.

Mark Robinson (3-17) and Billy Taylor (2-16) produced excellent spells as Lancashire lost their last six wickets for 31 runs, five of them in the space of four overs.

It was the fourth lowest total made against Sussex in the 32-year history of the competition and a second win in the space of four days should ensure they avoid a bottom four finish in Division Two and the ignominy of having to face first-class opposition in the third round of the C&G Trophy next season.