Sussex beat Middlesex by 18 runs – T20 Blast Match Report
Sussex won by 18 runs in the 91st match of 115 in the T20 Blast 2026 at Merchant Taylors’ School Ground, Northwood. Daniel Hughes produced a devastating 108 off 52 balls to power Sussex to 213 for 3, before Tymal Mills and Danny Briggs combined to dismantle Middlesex’s reply. The visitors’ fourth win of the campaign keeps them level on 12 points with Middlesex at 16th and 17th respectively, though both sides face an uphill battle to force their way into contention.
Sussex Innings – Hughes Destroys Middlesex Attack
Middlesex won the toss and elected to bowl, but the decision backfired spectacularly. Harrison Ward set the tone with 29 off 16 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) before falling LBW at 32 for 1 in the 3.4 over. George Thomas departed cheaply for 2 at 44 for 2 in the 4.5 over, but Hughes was already in full flight.
Hughes’ 108 off 52 (11 fours, 6 sixes) at a strike rate of 208 was the centrepiece of Sussex’s assault. He shared a 169-run stand with Jack Leaning (65 off 48, 9 fours) that took the match away from Middlesex in the middle overs. Leaning was caught at 213 for 3 in the 19.6 over, but by then the damage was done. Naavya Sharma was the pick of Middlesex’s bowlers with 2 for 34 from 4 overs, while Noah Cornwell took 1 for 55 from 4 at economy 13.75.
Middlesex Chase Falls Short
Josh de Caires was bowled by Mills for 9 at 18 for 1 in the 1.5 over, setting an ominous tone. Matthew Boyle (34 off 24, 4 fours, 1 six) and Max Holden (52 off 20, 6 fours, 3 sixes) provided brief resistance, but wickets tumbled around them. Holden was LBW at 101 for 3 in the 8.4 over after striking at 260, while Boyle fell at 93 for 2 in the 7.5 over.
Leus du Plooy (37 off 28, 2 fours, 2 sixes) kept Middlesex in the hunt with a 67-run stand with Holden, but the middle order crumbled. Ben Geddes fell for 8 at 119 for 5 in the 10.4 over, Joe Cracknell for 8 at 138 for 6 in the 13.6 over, and Luke Hollman (22 off 16, 1 four, 1 six) was caught at 184 for 7 in the 18.6 over. Zafar Gohar fell for 3 at 186 for 8, and Tom Helm was bowled at 188 for 9. Middlesex limped to 195 for 9, falling 18 runs short.
Mills was devastating with the ball, taking 3 for 34 from 4 overs at economy 8.5. Briggs matched him with 3 for 35 from 4 overs, while Tom Price took 1 for 28 from 3 and Leaning claimed 1 for 19 from 2.
Statz MVP: Daniel Hughes (Statz Rating: 122.3)
Daniel Hughes earns the Statz MVP award with a Statz Rating of 122.3 – the standout performance of the evening. His 108 off 52 balls at a strike rate of 208 was the decisive factor in Sussex’s victory, setting a target Middlesex could not chase. Hughes’ aggressive approach in the powerplay and middle overs shifted the entire complexion of the match, and his unbeaten innings was the difference between the two sides.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Daniel Hughes (SUS) – Statz Rating: 122.3 | 108 off 52 (SR 208, 11 fours, 6 sixes) – Dominant unbeaten innings that won the match.
- Max Holden (MID) – Statz Rating: 91.7 | 52 off 20 (SR 260, 6 fours, 3 sixes) – Explosive but ultimately futile counter-attack.
- Jack Leaning (SUS) – Statz Rating: 73.84 | 65 off 48 (9 fours) plus 1 for 19 from 2 overs – Steady middle-order anchor and useful part-time bowler.
- Tymal Mills (SUS) – Statz Rating: 72.57 | 3 for 34 from 4 overs (economy 8.5) – Miserly and match-winning with the new ball.
- Naavya Sharma (MID) – Statz Rating: 65.8 | 2 for 34 from 4 overs (economy 8.5) – Middlesex’s best bowler on a difficult night.
Turning Point
The match turned decisively in the powerplay when Hughes and Leaning took control after Ward’s early exit. Hughes’ 108 off 52 established a total that proved beyond Middlesex’s reach, and once Josh de Caires fell in the opening over of the chase, the hosts never recovered. The loss of Max Holden at 101 for 3 in the 8.4 over – despite his explosive 52 off 20 – left Middlesex needing 112 off 68 balls with the middle order exposed. Mills and Briggs’ combined 6 for 69 sealed the outcome.
Match Context
This was the 91st match of 115 in the T20 Blast 2026 group stage. Both sides remain in the bottom two of the standings – Sussex at 16th (3W 8L, 12pts) and Middlesex at 17th (3W 8L, 12pts) – with qualification hopes fading fast. Sussex’s victory provides a glimmer of hope, but both teams face an uphill climb to force their way into the top eight. Check the full scorecard on Statz for the complete breakdown of this entertaining encounter.
