Hampshire relish their tasty Berg
ALL-ROUNDER Gareth Berg produced a matchwinning 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 in quick order for the seventh wicket.
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.
Hampshire captain James Vince hailed Berg’s contribution, saying: “In the end it took a pretty special innings from Gareth to win it for us. That proved to be the difference.”
Berg had a lucky escape 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 three for 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 for a precious boundary, it meant three were needed off the final over. Topley scrambled a leg bye off the first ball from Ishant Sharma then Crane crashed the next to ropes at cover to seal victory.
Earlier, Sussex batsman Finch had made his maiden oneday hundred.
Worcestershire began their campaign with a 50-run victory at home over Derbyshire.
Ross Whiteley (58), Ben Cox (56 not out) and Tom Fell (56) all made half-centuries as the hosts reached 323-6.
Derbyshire lost three wickets in six balls before ending 273 all out.