james Bracey registered a career-best score as Gloucestershire beat Sussex by 41 runs to give their Vitality Blast campaign lift-off in Bristol.

Without a win in any of their previous seven matches in all formats this season, Gloucestershire were indebted to their England international, who raised 70 from 45 balls to help the home side reach 193 for seven after being put in.

Steven Finn was outstanding with the ball for Sharks, returning figures of two for 15 from four overs, but Ryan Higgins made 39 not out from 22 balls and Glenn Phillips contributed a useful 27 as Gloucestershire found acceleration following a sluggish start to their innings.

Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 58, while Luke Wright and Josh Philippe contributed 25 and 35 respectively as Sussex remained in the hunt. But the chase became derailed after Rizwan fell in the 16th over, six wickets then falling for the addition of 24 runs in 4.4 overs as the visitors lost their way.

David Payne took three for 22 from four overs to put the skids under Sussex, with Paul Van Meekeren and Naseem Shah weighing in with a brace of wickets apiece as Gloucestershire ultimately won with something to spare.

Sussex host Kent, who have also lost their first two games, at Hove tomorrow (2.30pm).