Ajeet Singh Dale delivered a sensational performance with the ball, claiming 4 for 15 in nine overs to help Gloucestershire restrict Sussex to 132 for 9 in a rain-affected match at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium. Alongside fellow seamer Zaman Akhter, who picked up 3 for 25, Gloucestershire bowled out Sussex in the reduced 41 overs-a-side encounter. Danial Ibrahim was the top scorer for Sussex with 30 runs.
Gloucestershire chased down the target of 132 runs with ease, thanks to Cameron Bancroft’s unbeaten 49 and Miles Hammond’s quickfire 46 off 28 balls. The victory keeps Gloucestershire in contention for the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, provided they win their remaining matches against Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor’s decision to bowl first paid off as Ajeet Singh Dale wreaked havoc on the Sussex batting line-up. Singh Dale’s early strikes put Sussex on the back foot, with crucial wickets including Henry Rogers and Tom Clark falling cheaply.
Singh Dale’s spell of 4 for 15 was reminiscent of his previous career-best performance against Northants, and Akhter complemented him well with his 3 wickets. Sussex found themselves struggling at 65 for 5 before a partnership between Hammond and Bancroft took Gloucestershire closer to the target.
Bancroft’s aggressive batting, which included five fours and a six, ensured Gloucestershire reached the target with plenty of overs to spare. The win puts Gloucestershire level on points with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire in the group standings.
Overall, the match showcased Gloucestershire’s dominance with both bat and ball, while Sussex continued their poor run in the competition. Gloucestershire’s strong performance has put them in a good position to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.
