Evison Inspires Kent to Thrilling Two-Wicket Victory Over Sussex at Hove

Evison Inspires Kent to Thrilling Two-Wicket Victory Over Sussex at Hove

Joey Evison produced a match-winning cameo under pressure as Kent Spitfires pulled off a dramatic two-wicket win over Sussex Sharks in a low-scoring Vitality Blast thriller at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove. The victory keeps Kent’s knockout stage hopes alive in a tightly contested group.

Chasing 149 for victory, Kent looked out of the contest at 112 for eight in the 16th over, following a devastating double-strike from Sussex pacer Tymal Mills (3 for 21). But Evison had other plans. The 23-year-old all-rounder launched a remarkable counter-attack, finishing unbeaten on 48 from just 24 balls, guiding his side home with three balls to spare.

Evison smashed successive sixes off James Coles earlier in his innings, then shared a crucial stand with No.10 Fred Klaassen, hammering 17 runs off the 17th over from Ollie Robinson. He followed it up with a straight six off Mills in the 18th to tip the scales in Kent’s favour. With five runs needed from the final over, Evison fittingly struck the winning boundary through extra cover off Danny Lamb to seal the victory.

The defeat was a costly one for Sussex, who could have moved to second place in the table. Instead, they now find themselves in a tight battle for a top-four finish, locked on 22 points with Kent and Hampshire.

Earlier, Kent’s bowlers put in a disciplined performance to dismiss Sussex for 148 with just one ball remaining. Nathan Gilchrist was the standout, recording a career-best 4 for 42. His spell included two wickets in two balls in the 10th over — removing James Coles and Tom Alsop — as Sussex collapsed from 87 for three to 109 for five, eventually losing their last five wickets in just 25 deliveries.

Despite a late flurry from Ollie Robinson, who smashed 27 from 14 balls including three boundaries in Gilchrist’s final over, Sussex’s total looked below par on a sluggish surface.

Kent’s chase, however, was far from smooth. The visitors lost three wickets in the powerplay, and Sussex applied further pressure through the field. Robinson had a hand with the ball — not with his bowling, but through a brilliant direct-hit run-out to dismiss Joe Denly. He then removed Daniel Bell-Drummond with another pinpoint throw, ending the opener’s fluent 47 off 36 balls.

When Mills struck twice in three deliveries, bowling Jack Leaning and Tom Rogers, Sussex looked to be closing in. But Evison’s composed aggression turned the tide, keeping Kent’s season alive in thrilling fashion.

Match Summary:

  • Sussex: 148 all out (Gilchrist 4-42, Robinson 27)

  • Kent: 151/8 (Evison 48*, Bell-Drummond 47, Mills 3-21)

  • Result: Kent won by two wickets

  • Venue: 1st Central County Ground, Hove

  • Player of the Match: Joey Evison (Kent)

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