Delray Rawlins’ teammate Reece Topley enjoyed a Sussex debut to remember with four wickets - three of them in four balls - as they defeated Hampshire by 15 runs in the Vitality Blast at The 1st Central County Ground.
Topley, who left Hampshire at the end of last season, laid waste to their top order by removing Aneurin Donald (13) and James Vince and Sam Northeast for ducks – his first T20 wickets since 2017 – in a sensational second over. He then returned to end Hampshire's brave pursuit of a target of 189 when Kyle Abbott was caught in the deep off the final ball of the 19th over to finish with 4 for 33.
Despite the absence of World Cup winner Jofra Archer, who watched the game from the players’ balcony, and the injured Chris Jordan Sussex still look a formidable outfit. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan took two wickets and slow left-armer Danny Briggs 3 for 35.
The Sharks had been put in on a sticky, slow pitch and their 188 for 6 looked above par. Opener Phil Salt, who was called into England’s T20 squad earlier this year, led the way with 73 off 46 balls while Wiese (44 not out) and Khan, who smashed 22 off seven balls, provided impetus at the end.
Salt hit leg-spinner Mason Crane’s first ball out of the ground as he raced to a 28-ball 50 and although Laurie Evans (15) and Rawlins (6) went cheaply Salt took the score to 124 in the 14th over when he mis-timed an expansive extra cover drive at Chris Wood, having hit seven fours and three sixes.
