Warwickshire Bears secured their third consecutive win in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, narrowly defeating Sussex by one wicket. This win, achieved away from home due to the Test match at Edgbaston, keeps Warwickshire's unbeaten run alive.
Chasing a modest target of 174 after bowling out Sussex for 173, Warwickshire's innings was a rollercoaster. They stumbled to 76 for 5, putting the match in doubt. A vital partnership of 73 runs between Will Rhodes, who scored a gritty 60, and Kai Smith, who added a run-a-ball 44, seemed to stabilise the chase. However, a sudden collapse saw them lose three wickets at 149, including both set batsmen and Michael Booth. The tension mounted as last man Oliver Hannon-Dalby edged Jack Carson for two runs, clinching the win.
For Sussex, the loss marked their second defeat in the competition, dimming their hopes of progressing from Group B. Sussex had a promising start, reaching 70 without loss in the powerplay, but crumbled to 173 all out in just 35 overs. Tom Haines top-scored with 38, and Tom Clark added 32. Booth, returning to the Warwickshire lineup, was the standout bowler, taking 3 for 16, including key wickets of Clark and Haines.
Warwickshire's chase began shakily, losing Rob Yates, Ed Barnard, and Hamza Shaikh early. Sussex's bowlers, particularly Henry Crocombe (3-38) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (3-34), kept the pressure on. After a brief recovery led by Rhodes and Smith, Sussex fought back with a late flurry of wickets, setting up a tense finish. Despite the late drama, Hannon-Dalby and Jake Lintott ensured Warwickshire crossed the line, leaving Sussex to rue their missed opportunities.