Match Report - Gloucestershire v Sussex
4 August 2019
Gloucestershire players protested in vain to a six-run penalty for a slow over-rate that ultimately decided the contest in Sussex’s favour.
Sussex secured a three-wicket victory over Gloucestershire having successfully matched Gloucestershire’s score until the final over when players on the field were notified that the umpires, Ian Gould and Mike Burns had given the hosts a six-run penalty for slow over-rate.
The home side, who were sporting purple Rainbow Day shirts, posted a solid 159/6 from their innings. Cockbain the high scorer after an impressive 61 not out from 49 balls with five fours and a six.
James Bracey and Benny Howell added 30 and 28 respectively before Andrew Tye, who only faced two balls ended the Gloucestershire innings with a boundary.
The Sharks innings didn’t get off to the quickest start and were restricted to the occasional boundary by opening bowling pair of David Payne and AJ Tye. At the halfway stage Sussex were 70/3, very close to total Gloucestershire had at the same stage (71/2).
Andrew Tye and David Payne were in inspired form with the ball, Payne picking up three wickets all at very timely moments; Taking opening batsman Phil Salt for 9, trapping David Wiese lbw for 37 after he started finding the boundary and removing Chris Jordan for six in the penultimate over. Tye pick up two wickets of his own and contributed two outstanding catches, showing his quality in all facets of the game.
Delray Rawlins was the game-winner for Sussex. He came in at number six for the Sharks and carried them home with a confident knock of 35 off 17.
Rashid Khan was trapped lbw by Tye for naught and Jordan was caught by Cockbain for six which meant the game was to be won by one man only, and he did so.
Tom Smith said:
"It's a shame the game ended that way. When you've put that much effort in to get yourselves back in contention, it hurts that little bit more. There was a bit of confusion at the end, because the umpires communicated the six-run penalty to the scorers but not to Michael Klinger. There were just four balls left in the final over when we knew what had happened. Of course, that made things easier for Sussex, which was frustrating.
We're now in a difficult position in the group and need to beat Kent in our next game. But we played a lot better today and can take some positives into Wednesday."
