Kent Spitfires (167-7) lose to Sussex Sharks (171-5) by four runs in T20 Blast at Hove

Vitality Blast holders Kent have now lost three South Group games out of three after Tom Alsop hit a scintillating 65 not out from 30 balls in his first T20 innings for Sussex.

Alsop, on loan from Hampshire, hauled the Sharks up to 171-5 at Hove and the home side then ran out winners by four runs as the Spitfires reached 167-7 in reply.

Kent’s margin of defeat was only as small as it was because George Linde took 22 runs from the final over, bowled by George Garton, including a last-ball six over long-on, to end on a remarkable unbeaten 13-ball 38.

But, overall, Sussex were impressive in the field, with Ravi Bopara picking up 2-23 from his four overs, and ultimately it was Alsop’s earlier surge with the bat that proved decisive.

The left-hander smashed three sixes and six fours after coming in at five, and it was a first Blast win of the campaign for Sussex following defeats against Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

Kent's chase started badly with Daniel Bell-Drummond bowled for a first ball duck by a beauty from Delray Rawlins that turned sharply to hit the top of off stump and Zak Crawley out for two from the first ball of the second over, gloving a lifter from Steven Finn to the keeper.

Sam Billings took three fours from the next five balls from Finn and also drove Rawlins’ left-arm spin and Tymal Mills for boundaries.

Kent had rallied to 46-2 by the end of the six-over powerplay but Billings was deceived on 31 by a yorker from Bopara that hit him on the boot, and the former Essex man struck again in his next over, the 11th, by having Joe Denly caught at long-off for 33 from a low full toss.

A 35-minute rain interruption followed Denly’s demise and, on the resumption, Jack Leaning fell for 15 and Jordan Cox for a 21-ball