Gloucestershire’s bowlers, led by Ajeet Singh Dale’s career-best performance, propelled the team to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Dale, a 24-year-old pace bowler, unleashed a blistering spell of 4 for 15 in nine overs, dismantling Sussex’s batting lineup. Fellow seamer Zaman Akhter complemented Dale’s efforts with figures of 3 for 25, his best in List-A cricket.
Sussex, batting first, struggled to cope with the Gloucestershire bowlers’ accuracy and pace. Henry Rogers and Tom Clark fell cheaply, while Charlie Tear’s brief resistance ended when he was caught by Cameron Bancroft. Oli Carter and Zach Lion-Cachet attempted to rebuild the innings, but Akhter’s incisive bowling accounted for both batsmen.
Graeme van Buuren and Bertie Foreman departed after the rain break, leaving Sussex reeling at 94 for 6. Ibrahim’s 30 provided some resistance, but Akhter and Dale continued to strike, reducing the visitors to 106 for 8. Archie Lenham’s 24 helped Sussex reach 132 for 9, a modest total given the conditions.
In response, Gloucestershire’s openers, Hammond and Bancroft, made light work of the chase. Hammond smashed three sixes in three balls off Jack Campbell, while Bancroft played a composed innings of 49 not out. Hammond’s dismissal for 46 did not slow Gloucestershire’s progress, as Bancroft and Ollie Price guided the team to victory with 21 overs to spare.
The win keeps Gloucestershire’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive, while Sussex remain bottom of the table after their sixth consecutive defeat.
