Chris Adams has played down talk of an England recall, despite his match-winning heroics which sparked Sussex's limited overs season spectacularly into life.

Adams hit 20 off a single Wasim Akram over as the county pulled off an astonishing four-wicket win over Hampshire in yesterday's C&G Trophy third round tie.

Needing 27 off the last two overs, Adams and Mark Davis fired 29 in just nine balls to clinch the team's first victory in one-day cricket this season.

England selector David Graveney spent much of the day at the Rose Bowl and, though he missed the late drama, he did have time to hint that Adams was still in the frame for an England recall.

Adams, who turned 33 on Tuesday, insisted: "I decided at the start of this season that England was no longer the main focus in my life.

"Of course, I would love to play. There is no better honour in the game than to play for your country but I decided after so much disappointment I would get on with my life and cricket.

"That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm enjoying my cricket and I hope we have a great year at Sussex.

"If that happens, irrespective of whether Chris Adams plays for England or not, I will be a very happy man."

Adams faced 84 balls for his unbeaten 80 and fired three sixes, two of them off Akram, as well as four fours on his way to man-of-the-match honours.

He and Davis were treated to a chorus of Sussex By The Sea by ecstatic team-mates as they charged off the field at the end.

Adams revealed: "Whenever we win a game, we sing Sussex By The Sea. It's something the boys wanted to do.

"We left the win a bit late but it was thrilling to be out there and see it unfold.

"You don't win too many games like this.

"We considered throwing Mark in early because he is a good striker of the ball but I decided against it because he has got such a mature head on his shoulders and in that situation you need people like that.

"We had a go earlier, it didn't come off and the pressures stacked up but Mark played a wonderful innings and I had the golden over against Wasim."

Sussex will be away to Middlesex in round four.

Adams' men were enjoying a day off today as they headed to Edgbaston for tomorrow's Championship tussle with Warwickshire.

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