Cricket Payne rues poor batting display by Glos in defeat at Hove

SUSSEX Sharks made it two wins out of two in the Vitality Blast when they marked their first home fixture with victory over Gloucestershire by 80 runs.

- By PAUL WEAVER

But after their success last season it has been a disappointing start to the new campaign by Gloucestershire, who were beaten by just four runs in their high-scoring opener against Kent.

They needed 174 for victory at Hove but were bundled out for 93, with only three batsmen making double figures.

Gloucestershire seamer David Payne said: “We were pretty pleased at the halfway stage because it looked at one stage as if they would get 200 or 220. We dragged it back pretty well, and we thought 170 was pretty gettable, pretty par on that pitch, with that outfield.

“But we didn’t quite get it right. We weren't quite as sharp with the bat as we could have been. There was some swing and possibly our slower balls held a bit with the old ball. But generally we thought it was a good pitch with a fast outfield. We couldn’t afford to sit in because we needed nine an over. But we lost a few early games last season.”