Sharks start with a victory

SUSSEX got their Caribbean Twenty20 campaign off to a flying start with a comfortable 34-run win over the Netherlands on Tuesday, in Antigua.

Michael Yardy decided to bat after winning the toss, but lost Matt Machan (6) with the score on just 11 as the Netherlands made an early breakthrough. Joe Gatting (14) and Yardy, going for a golden duck, came and went as Chris Nash (20) waited patiently for someone to stick around at the other end.

In came Ben Brown, who top-scored with 42, and the pair put on 38 runs before Nash was caught on the boundary. Kirk Wernars and Andrew Hodd were dismissed cheaply and Sussex were tottering at 77-6, in real danger of not posting a competitive total.

However, Naveed Arif, along with Brown, managed to get Sussex to 125-9 off their 20 overs and at least the bowlers had something to defend on the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Sussex didn't give their opponents a sniff of victory during a fine bowling display – only captain Peter Borren coped well enough and he hit 45 runs. Apart from that innings, the batsmen struggled and Sussex bowled the Netherlands out for 91.

Arif ended with 3-12 off 3.3 overs, Chris Liddle claimed 2-11 in four overs and Yardy recorded figures of 2-14 off his four overs.

Sussex stay in Antigua for the next two group matches, they played Jamaica yesterday and face Combined Campuses and Colleges on Saturday. Their final group game is on Wednesday against Barbados.

Joe Gatting has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Sussex County, which will see him remain at Hove until at least the end of the 2013 season.

"I'm very pleased to have extended my contract," he said.

"I'm excited about the next two years and hopefully I can continue my good form from the end of last season to make a big impact."