Sharks sink teeth into wounded Panthers

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Sussex 202-3 (20 ov) beat Middlesex 178-8 (20 ov) by 24 runs

Dawid Malan’s fifty and late hitting from Neil Dexter weren’t quite enough for the Panthers as they came up short in the t20 at Lord’s.

Luke Wright, whose 187 at HQ salvaged a draw for Sussex in the County Championship earlier this month, was again the scourge of Middlesex with 81 off just 49 balls in the Sharks’ imposing 202-3.

At the halfway mark in their innings, Panthers were matching Sussex’s score at the same stage, with Malan leading the way.

But once he fell for 61, Middlesex lost regular wickets – not to mention sight of the required run rate – and despite Dexter smiting three sixes, they succumbed to defeat.

Sussex looked to take the game to the Panthers early on with Tim Murtagh again suffering, conceding 34 runs in his first two overs.

Openers Wright and Chris Nash survived most of the first 10 overs, putting on 84 before Adam Voges claimed the wicket of Nash for 45.

Wright smashed 10 fours and cleared the rope twice and was well supported by Rory Hamilton-Brown (47 from 29 balls).

The battered and bruised Murtagh exacted his revenge by removing Wright but the damage had already been done with Sussex scoring at 10 an over.

Malan and Paul Stirling got Panthers’ reply off to a strong start and a close result looked likely as they matched Sussex at the 10-over stage.

But Nash bowled Malan and the middle order collapsed at the hands of Michael Yardy (3-30) and Chris Jordan (2-29) to leave Middlesex floundering.

Adam Rossington, hero of Friday night’s victory, was out for one and although Dexter scored 27 from 10 deliveries, it was too little too late.

Middlesex face three more t20 games in space of four days next week, beginning with Essex visiting Lord’s on Thursday.

The Panthers then go to Surrey on Friday evening before hosting Kent on Sunday afternoon at Uxbridge.

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