Eagles knock out Sussex in 'super over' drama

Sussex 119-7 Diamond Eagles 119-4 <i>(Eagles win in 'super over' eliminator)</i>

The Diamond Eagles ended Sussex's Champions League campaign by defeating the Sharks in a "super over" after scores were tied at the end of the regulation 20 in Delhi yesterday.

Sussex managed only 119 for 7, Joe Gatting top-scoring with 25 and Ed Joyce contributing 21.

Eagles opener Rilee Rossouw hit 65 off 62 balls as the South Africans appeared set to reach their target easily. But Sharks spinners Piyush Chawla and Rory Hamilton-Brown reined them in, and the Eagles managed only to tie the scores – 119 for 4.

The "super over" rule – an extra over with teams permitted only three batsmen and one bowler and the "innings" ending if a side loses two wickets – was applied. The Eagles managed 10, while Sussex lost two wickets off the first two deliveries to hand their opponents victory and a place in the second round.

Luke Wright had given Sussex some momentum with the bat at the start of the match. But it was the stand between Joyce and Gatting which carried Sharks past the 100-run mark.

Rossouw's response on a low and slow surface contained some powerful hitting down the ground, as the Eagles' chase began well. But Chawla applied the brakes with his leg-breaks.

The Eagles needed 12 off the last over to win, and Pakistan seamer Yasir Arafat conceded three singles first up. Ryan McLaren managed an inside-edged boundary off the fourth and then struck another four over midwicket to tie the scores.

* Leicestershire are hoping to hold talks with former England bowler Matthew Hoggard after the acrimonious end to his Yorkshire career. Hoggard, 32, was released after 15 years at Headingley, sparking a bitter exchange between player and club.