Afzaal lights up Whitgift gloom

Usman Afzaal took Ragheb Aga for four successive sixes © Getty Images

Usman Afzaal provided the fireworks in Surrey's rain ruined Friends Provident Trophy match against Sussex at Whitgift School.

With both teams out of the competition Afzaal lit up the gloom by smashing Sussex fast bowler Ragheb Aga for four successive sixes in Surrey's total of 189 for five, made from the 24 overs that were possible.

Afzaal hit Aga, who had taken three wickets in seven balls earlier, for a straight six before hoisting his next delivery over the wicket.

Having lined up Aga, Afzaal's third maximum flew over wide mid-off before the batsmen despatched the last ball of the over high over square leg and into an adjoining road. Aga's over cost 25 runs and it ruined his figures, as he ended with 3-53 from five.

In the next over Afzaal hit spinner Tom Smith back over his head for another six before holing out to the same bowler at long off. He made 43 from 21 balls with one four to add to his five sixes.

Scott Newman had earlier got the innings off to a bright start with a breezy 45 from 37 balls - hitting one six and eight fours - before he became Aga's first victim.

The opener was bowled attempting a big drive and Matthew Spriegel, a former pupil at Whitgift, aimed a tentative push at one that bounced slightly and was caught behind by Matt Prior for 17.

Alistair Brown then played on for eight before Jon Batty and Irish youngster Gary Wilson put on an unbroken stand for 54 for the sixth wicket.

Batty pulled Smith over square leg for six and Wilson used the reverse sweep effectively to finish 25 not out with his partner unbeaten on 36 from 28 deliveries.

Sussex captain Chris Adams had to leave the field after losing a fingernail attempting to catch James Benning in the slips. However, he is expected to be fit for Sussex's championship game against Durham which starts on Friday.

Benning, touted for an England one-day spot last season, did not last much longer. He was victim to a good low catch by Smith at mid off off Robin Martin-Jenkins having made just three.

With a decent crowd the umpires were keen to get in a game of some sort, but when rain took the players off the field for the third time they were forced to call it a day, with Sussex not able to bat.