Monday 21 May 2018 08:28, UK
All-rounder Gareth Berg produced a match-winning performance as Hampshire began their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign with a thrilling two-wicket win over Sussex, with four balls to spare at Hove.
Sussex looked favourites when Hashim Amla was sixth out for 63 to leave Hampshire needing 118 from 15.5 overs to overhaul the home side's 250, which was built around Harry Finch's 108.
But Lewis McManus and Berg thrashed 59 from 37 balls for the seventh wicket and, although McManus was caught behind in the 41st over with 57 still needed, Berg unleashed some powerful shots and farmed the strike effectively to bring the target closer.
However, he should have been run out on 47 when he slipped backing up too far, only for David Wiese to miss with his throw at the stumps.
There was another twist when Berg, who had earlier taken 3-51, was caught at deep mid-wicket in the 47th over off Ollie Robinson for 65, made from 37 deliveries with eight fours and two sixes, to leave his side needing 15 off 20 balls.
But Mason Crane and Reece Topley kept their nerve and when Crane drilled Robinson back down the ground for a precious boundary, it meant three were needed off the final over. SUSSEX v HANTS SCORECARD
Worcestershire are celebrating their first victory of 2018 after the Rapids overcame Derbyshire Falcons by 50 runs at New Road in their opening One-Day Cup North Group match.
The home side are anchored at the foot of Division One of the Specsavers County Championship after failing to win any of their opening five games.
But they quickly settled back into the form which earned them a semi-final place in the One-Day Cup last summer after an impressive performance with bat and ball.
Worcestershire amassed their second-highest score in 50-over cricket at New Road, 323-6, after an explosive half century from Ross Whiteley gave the innings late momentum.
Wayne Madsen's classy 87 gave the Falcons hope but they were eventually bowled out for 273 in the 47th over. WORCS v DERBYS SCORECARD
