Johnny Connell produced one of the innings of the summer as Berkshire pushed a full-strength Sussex side all the way at Horsham CC, despite eventually falling 49 runs short in a high-scoring T20 contest.
Sussex piled up an imposing 226 for six from their 20 overs after a brutal display of hitting throughout the innings. Daniel Hughes set the tone with 53 from just 24 balls, while Tom Haines and James Coles both added rapid half-centuries as the county side flexed their depth and power.
Berkshire’s bowlers battled hard against an attack packed with first-team experience. Samm Daniel claimed two wickets, while Nilish Bhandari and Sully Akhtar also struck.
Facing such a daunting chase, Berkshire suffered the worst possible start as they lost two wickets inside two overs with only eight runs on the board. But Connell responded in sensational fashion.
The Berkshire captain launched a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 121 from just 53 deliveries in an innings packed with 13 fours and eight towering sixes. He dominated a Sussex attack featuring Tymal Mills, Danny Briggs and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, taking the game to the professionals with fearless strokeplay all around the ground.
Connell found support from James Isbell, who struck 17 from 12 balls, while Sully Akhtar contributed a determined 16. But once Connell eventually fell in the 18th over, Berkshire’s hopes disappeared with him.
Despite the defeat, Berkshire’s total of 177 underlined the side’s fighting spirit and attacking intent against elite opposition, with Connell’s extraordinary century providing a memorable highlight on an entertaining evening at Horsham.
Berkshire will take huge confidence from pushing one of the strongest T20 sides in the country while showing they can compete aggressively against first-class opposition.
We would like thank Sussex and Horsham CC for their wonderful hospitality