Sussex hold nerve to pull clear at the top (From The Argus)

Sussex hold nerve to pull clear at the top

10:14pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in Cricket News By Steve Hollis

Sussex won for the fourth year in a row at Chelmsford to stretch their lead at the top of the south group.

The Sharks needed ten from the final over but Will Beer and Ben Brown held their nerve to get them over the line with a ball to spare.

James Foster had smashed an unbeaten 65 as Essex set a target of 177-4 in the top of the table clash.

Luke Wright, Chris Nash and Matt Prior all made contributions but it took some late hitting from Beer to ensure Sussex maintained their 100% record in the FL T20.

For the second time in the space of five days it was Foster who played the starring role in Essex's innings.

He followed up his 20-ball 47 at Hove on Sunday by blasting an unbeaten 65 off 31 balls with five fours and four sixes.

The former England wicketkeeper's superb innings helped Essex add 59 in the final five overs to get up to 177-4.

Sussex had restricted Essex early on with the hosts limping to 39-2 after the six over powerplay.

Essex were 66-2 after ten overs but Graham Napier and Ryan ten Doeschate made the most of being dropped by Ben Brown to score 32 and 39 respectively.

Sussex got off to a great start in reply with Nash and Wright putting on 77 for the first wicket off 51 balls.

Nash made 31 and Wright 46 and when they went Prior maintained the momentum with 35 off 19 balls.

Sussex lost their way when Prior was caught on the boundary and Napier bowled both Murray Goodwin and Joe Gatting.

Beer hit the first two balls of the last over for four runs and then found the boundary with the third ball to put Sussex in the box seat.

A single brought the scores level with two balls to go and Brown hit the penultimate ball for four.