FL t20: Sussex Sharks claim victory over Essex Eagles

Luke Wright of Sussex hits out with James Foster of Essex looking on during the Friends Life T20 match between Essex and Sussex at Chelmsford

Sussex maintained their unbeaten record in the Friends Life t20 with a four-wicket defeat of Essex.

A blistering captain's innings from James Foster put the Eagles in a strong position as they posted 177-4.

But the table-topping Sharks got home with just one delivery to spare at Chelmsford as they made 181-6.

After wickets fell to set up a tense finish, Will Beer scored nine in the final over from Ryan ten Doeschate before a Ben Brown boundary sealed it.

Earlier, Foster had hit 65 off 31 balls, including five fours and four sixes, to put Essex in a commanding position.

But Sussex openers Chris Nash and Luke Wright, who made 46 from 26 deliveries, laid the foundations for a successful run chase.

Matt Prior kept the momentum going with a 19-ball 35 and although his side lost late wickets to set up a tense finale, Beer and Brown saw them home.

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Essex captain James Foster told BBC Essex:

"One of the key differences is the first six (overs). I think they are very, very experienced, very good batters in the first six.

"Luke Wright and Chris Nash are exceptional with only two fielders out. Both times (Sussex also beat Essex on Sunday), they get them off to an absolute flyer."

"We're going to have to play some good cricket, we know the group is tough."

"There's some very good teams, in this kind of group everyone beats everyone."