Howell takes hat-trick to set up Sussex stroll

» BENNY Howell took a hat-trick in Gloucestershire’s comprehensive 116-run win over Sussex Sharks at Eastbourne.

They plundered 135 off the last ten overs and 76 from the last five to boost their total to 335-6 and Sussex never threatened despite another half-century from South African all-rounder David Wiese.

Howell took a hat-trick, removing Ben Brown, Abi Sakande and Danny Briggs to finish things off as Sussex were dismissed for 219 after losing their last five wickets for 14 run.

Gloucestershire’s innings was transformed a sensational barrage in the closing overs from Jack Taylor, whose unbeaten 69 came off just 26 balls and included eight sixes and two fours.

The foundations were laid by Miles Hammond, as his 95 off 105 balls contained 11 fours and two sixes. He shared 110 for the first wicket with skipper Chris Dent who made 46.

Sussex’s spinners Will Beer and Briggs did a good job of tying Gloucestershire down during the middle part of their innings as Gareth Roderick’s first 25 runs all came in singles but when he drove Briggs to extra cover for 53 in the 44th over it was the signal for Taylor to cut loose.

Sussex’s innings never got any momentum as Luke Wright (21) and George Garton (1) fell in the power-play and Harry Finch (29) and Stiaan van Zyl (29) were unable to build on solid starts.

When Wiese came in the rate had climbed to 8.72 but he kept Sussex in the hunt, sharing 65 in 11 overs with Laurie Evans (44) and 56 in seven with Ben Brown.

Wiese had reached 55 from 58 balls when Jack Taylor ran in from the mid-wicket boundary to hold a diving catch off his younger brother Matt. Brown (27) was caught in the deep off Howell in the 42nd over before he finished the innings off.

Head coach Richard Dawson said: “It was a big improvement on the last game when we lost to Glamorgan. Miles Hammond played really nicely and Jack Taylor struck the ball beautifully.

“Then with the ball we never panicked. We caught and fielded very well which on a ground with small boundaries was very pleasing and I thought Chris Dent captained the side really well.”