Cheltenham, July 17 – Danny Lamb held his nerve in a pressure-packed final over, smashing 16 runs off five balls, including a last-ball boundary, to guide Sussex Sharks to a nail-biting four-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in a Vitality Blast thriller at the opening day of the Towergate Cheltenham Festival.
Chasing 186 for victory, Sussex needed 15 runs off the final over bowled by David Payne. Lamb rose to the occasion, carving out three boundaries — the last one sealing the match — and stunning a packed home crowd into silence. The win keeps Sussex’s hopes of a top-four finish and quarter-final berth alive.
Earlier, James Coles (62 off 40) and Tom Alsop (55 off 33) stitched together a crucial 106-run partnership for the fourth wicket, rescuing Sussex from a mid-innings wobble and putting them in position to chase down the target.
Gloucestershire Set the Tone with 185
Opting to bat first, Gloucestershire’s innings was anchored by D'Arcy Short, who continued his rich form with a 66 off 45 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. He shared an 81-run stand with fellow Aussie Cameron Bancroft (45 off 33), laying a strong foundation.
Despite a strong platform, Sussex bowlers hit back with Henry Crocombe (3 for 32) and Nathan McAndrew (1 for 21) delivering tight spells. Late in the innings, Ben Charlesworth gave the hosts a strong finish, hammering an unbeaten 44 off 24 balls, taking Gloucestershire to 185 for 5.
Sussex's Chase: Nerves, Brilliance, and a Final-Over Finish
Sussex’s reply got off to a decent start as George Thomas and Daniel Hughes added 29 in 4.2 overs. But Gloucestershire struck back quickly — Josh Shaw bowled Thomas for 22, and Ajeet Singh Dale removed Tom Clark.
With Sussex stumbling at 57 for 3, Coles and Alsop rebuilt smartly. They accelerated through the middle overs, keeping pace with the required rate. Coles was handed a lifeline when Short dropped him on 35, and he capitalized by reaching his half-century off 34 balls. Alsop followed suit with a 31-ball fifty.
The duo brought up Sussex’s 150, but with 34 needed off the final three overs, Gloucestershire clawed back — Ollie Price caught Coles off Charlesworth, and Alsop fell soon after, brilliantly held by Short in the deep.
Requiring 15 off the last over, Sussex lost John Simpson to a run-out. But Danny Lamb took charge, dispatching Payne to all corners — a flick to fine leg, a cover drive, and finally a powerful drive off the last ball — as Sussex crossed the finish line at 189 for 6.
A Vital Win in Playoff Hunt
The result was a devastating blow for Gloucestershire, who had looked in control for large parts of the match, but failed to close it out in the final moments. Sussex, on the other hand, remain in the hunt for a knockout spot, buoyed by an extraordinary comeback and Lamb’s finishing heroics.
Match Summary:
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Gloucestershire: 185/5 (Short 66, Bancroft 45, Charlesworth 44*; Crocombe 3-32)
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Sussex: 189/6 (Coles 62, Alsop 55, Lamb 16*; Shaw 2-25)
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Result: Sussex won by 4 wickets (last ball)
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Venue: Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Festival
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Player of the Match: Danny Lamb