Aussies win but fail to impress on return to fray

Marcus Stoinis’ century guided Australia to an underwhelming 57-run victory over Sussex as they returned to action for the first time since March’s ball-tampering scandal.

Stoinis pressed his claims for Australia’s number three slot for the five-match one-day series against England by blasting a pivotal 110 at Hove.

A tepid Australia performance will have frustrated new head coach Justin Langer and skipper Tim Paine however, with Sussex’s inaccurate batting blowing the chance for a famous victory.

Captain Steve Smith and deputy skipper David Warner were banned for a year over the ball-tampering incident in the third Test against South Africa that shamed Australian cricket.

Cameron Bancroft – who doctored a ball with sandpaper amid South Africa’s 322-run win in Cape Town – was also banned for nine months by Cricket Australia. Head coach Darren Lehmann quit amid the furore.

Australia will now use the upcoming England series as a charm offensive to curry favour after March’s illtempered Tests with South Africa, and this south coast warm-up clash passed by without controversy – but also with precious little top-drawer action.

Stoinis’ 110 guided Australia to a modest 277 for nine from their full allocation, the tourists fading to a coasting pace after a fast start.

Aaron Finch hit 78 at the top of the innings, before a middle-order wobble dented progress. Langer’s side lost four wickets for just 13 runs in 31 balls as Sussex finally found something approaching purchase in the field. ● Mike Hesson is to resign as coach of the New Zealand cricket team after six years in the role.

Hesson, 43, led the Black Caps to the Cricket World Cup final in 2015 and will leave less than a year before the 2019 tournament in England and Wales.

The former Kenya coach said he was leaving the role due to the rigours of international cricket.