Panthers mauled by savage Sharks in T20

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Middlesex 107 (19.5 ov) lost to Sussex 110-4 (16.1 ov) by six wickets
(Sussex 2 pts, Middlesex 0 pts)

Middlesex suffered another crushing NatWest T20 Blast defeat as their batting crumbled at Hove.

Ryan Higgins, in only his fourth first-team match, top scored with 31 off 32 balls but Panthers struggled at the hands of paceman Lewis Hatchett (3-23) and spinner Will Beer (3-22).

They were bowled out just shy of their 20 overs for just 107, a tiny target dismantled by Sussex opener Chris Nash.

He hammered 74 from 53 balls, including five fours and three sixes, as the Sharks cruised home with virtually four overs to spare.

Middlesex were frustrated by the weather on Thursday, as they dismissed Gloucestershire cheaply but rain scuppered their response before it had begun.

This time it was the Panthers turn to be whittled out as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

The visitors had reached 40-2 after the first powerplay but then lost Dawid Malan, Dan Christian and Neil Dexter in successive overs.

Higgins, who hit 44 not out on his debut in the win over Somerset nine days ago, kept the scoreboard ticking over and was one of only three Panthers players to get into double figures.

Nash showed his intent by smacking Harry Podmore for six in the second over and although Panthers removed Luke Wright and Harry Finch cheaply, they were always second favourites.

Ravi Patel picked up a couple of wickets in the middle overs but Nash stole the show and finished it off with a six off James Harris.

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