Middlesex Overcome Sussex by 31 Runs at Hove as De Caires and Holden Star

Middlesex won by 31 runs in the 28th match of 112 in the T20 Blast 2026, inflicting a second consecutive defeat on Sussex at the County Ground in Hove. Middlesex posted 213/4 from their 20 overs before bowling Sussex out for 182 in 19.4 overs to secure a comfortable victory.

Sussex won the toss and elected to bowl, but that decision backfired badly. Middlesex’s top order dominated from the start, with Josh de Caires and Max Holden both hammering half-centuries to set up a daunting total. For Middlesex, winless in the competition heading into this fixture, it was the perfect response.

First Innings – Middlesex 213/4 (20 overs)

Middlesex lost Adam Rossington for 10 off 10 balls with the score on 33 in the 4th over, but that was the last thing that went right for Sussex with the new ball. Max Holden took control immediately, smashing 77 off just 41 deliveries with six fours and five sixes before falling caught at 128/2 in the 13th over.

By that point, Josh de Caires was well set and in destructive form. The all-rounder finished unbeaten on 80 off 44 balls, clearing the ropes five times and hitting seven fours at a strike rate of 182. Leus du Plooy contributed a punchy 36 off 21 before falling LBW at 193/3 in the 19th over, and Luke Hollman departed quickly for 2 at 195/4 – but the damage was already done.

Tymal Mills was the standout with the ball for Sussex, taking 3/31 from his four overs at an economy of 7.75 – comfortably the best figures from either side. Danny Briggs picked up 1/33, but the rest of the attack leaked runs badly. Fynn Hudson-Prentice went for 52 from his four overs at an economy of 13, while Danny Lamb conceded 28 from just two.

Second Innings – Sussex 182 all out (19.4 overs)

Sussex needed a flying start and got one – briefly. Tom Clark blitzed 31 off just 13 balls with four fours and two sixes, striking at 238, but his dismissal at 51/2 in the 5th over left Sussex needing more from the middle order.

Daniel Hughes had already fallen for 14 at 39/1 in the 4th over. John Simpson came and went for 7 at 65/3 in the 7th over, and Sussex were starting to fall behind the rate. Tom Alsop and James Coles rebuilt with a partnership that took the score from 65 to 132, with Alsop striking 43 off 24 balls at 179 before falling caught in the 14th over. Coles made 33 off 27 at a more restrained pace.

But once Alsop departed at 132/4, wickets tumbled. Danny Lamb was LBW for 1 at 145/6, Coles fell at 143/5, and Jack Carson (8 off 5) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (0 off 1) both fell in quick succession at 157. Jack Leaning made 14 off 11 at 161/7 before Sussex were finally bowled out for 182 in the 20th over.

Tymal Mills finished 20 not out off 11 balls batting at number 11 – a defiant cameo with four fours at a strike rate of 182 – but it was too little, too late.

For Middlesex, Tom Helm was the pick of the bowlers with 3/41 from four overs. Eathan Bosch chipped in with 2/37, Zafar Gohar took 2/38, and Josh de Caires added 1/19 from two overs to cap an outstanding all-round display.

Statz MVP – Tymal Mills (148.83)

The Statz MVP for this match is Tymal Mills with a match impact rating of 148.83 – despite finishing on the losing side. Mills took 3/31 from his four overs, the most economical figures of any Sussex bowler, and then smashed an unbeaten 20 off 11 balls batting at number 11. The Statz MVP rating calculates impact based on match context, and Mills’ combined bowling and batting contributions made him the most impactful player on either side.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Tymal Mills – 148.83 – 3/31 with the ball and an unbeaten 20 off 11 with the bat. Outstanding all-round display in a losing cause.
2. Josh de Caires – 111.49 – Match-winning 80* off 44 plus a tidy 1/19 from two overs. The complete performance.
3. Max Holden – 91.37 – Set the platform with 77 off 41 at the top of the order, striking at 188.
4. Tom Alsop – 67.59 – Best of the Sussex middle order with 43 off 24 at a strike rate of 179.
5. Tom Clark – 67.00 – Explosive 31 off 13 at the top, striking at 238, but couldn’t convert.

Turning Point

The match turned when Tom Alsop was dismissed caught at 132/4 in the 14th over. At that point Sussex needed 82 from 38 balls with Alsop and Coles building nicely, but losing Alsop – their most aggressive middle-order bat on 43 off 24 – triggered a collapse of 6/50 that ended the chase. Tom Helm was the bowler who made the key interventions.

Match Context

This was the 28th match of 112 in the T20 Blast 2026 Regular Season. Sussex sit 12th in the table with 4 points from 2 matches (W1 L1, NRR +0.632), while Middlesex are 16th with 0 points from 2 matches (W0 L2, NRR -1.043). Despite winning this match, Middlesex’s league position reflects the standings table not yet updating – this victory will be their first of the campaign and a huge lift for a side that had been struggling.

For Sussex, it’s back-to-back defeats after losing to Kent last time out. With the T20 Blast’s congested schedule, they need to start stringing wins together quickly to push into the top eight and the knockout stages. Middlesex will look to build on this emphatic win and climb the table.

View the full scorecard, Statz ratings and Dream11 points on Statz.