Adams ends Sharks wait

Chris Adams scored a century on the eve of his 38th birthday © Getty Images

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Skipper Chris Adams guided Sussex Sharks to their first Friends Provident Trophy victory in three attempts with an unbeaten 109 as they successfully chased down a target of 274 against Middlesex Crusaders.

Adams hit ten fours and one six in his 21st limited-overs century on the eve of his 38th birthday, to help his side to their first win in any cricket this season with two overs to spare.

It proved a straightforward run chase at Hove for Sussex after Middlesex had posted a solid 273 for five.

Adams - in his 20th season in the first-class game - built on the impetus provided by Matt Prior’s 79 at the top of the innings by adding 115 for the third wicket in 17 overs with Murray Goodwin (44).

Former Zimbabwean batsman Goodwin failed with only eight needed when he holed out at mid-on off Tim Murtagh.

Adams reached his century off 99 balls in style by thrashing veteran off-spinner Shaun Udal for two successive fours before hoisting his next delivery for six over long on.

Prior gave the Sharks an ideal start by sharing in an opening stand of 70 with Chris Nash (34) before Adams joined him to add 81.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior, who now boasts five half-centuries in seven innings this season, had fired eight fours from 92 balls when he was bowled round his legs attempting to sweep Udal.

Ed Joyce set Middlesex up for a competitive total by compiling a dozen fours in making 80 from only 91 balls, and Owais Shah hit 68 before falling late in the innings.

Chris Nash had his requisite breezy start for Sussex

Joyce got his side off to a fluent start by sharing an opening stand of 58 with Ed Smith (27) before Andrew Strauss (26) joined him to add 70 in 11 overs.

Mike Yardy broke through with his slow left-armers by trapping Strauss leg before as he attempted to work the ball past square, and Joyce’s attractive innings was ended by Yardy who held on to a return catch at neck height.

Yardy (2-36) and left-arm spinner Tom Smith (0-39) bowled effectively to slow the Crusaders’ progress in mid-innings, and part-time off-spinner Nash also made an impact to have Irishman Eoin Morgan caught at long-off.

Morgan had added 70 in 16 overs for the fourth wicket with Shah, who took his side past 250 with a steady innings which included three fours from 93 deliveries.

Shah, who pole-axed James Kirtley with a straight drive which struck the pace bowler on the shin in his follow-through, was bowled by Kirtley in the final over of the innings.

South African-born Vernon Philander hoisted Kirtley for Middlesex’s only six over long-on off the last ball.