Chichester can't whip up a storm against Eastbourne

A storm in the early hours of Saturday was too much for the covers to cope with and the wicket was soaked.

Almost inevitably, Chichester lost the toss and were asked to bat and soon found themselves in trouble at 15 for two as balls jumped off a length and hit the home side’s batters, making batting almost impossible.

Eastbourne are desperate to escape relegation and signed former Pakistani test match international bowler Mohammad Akram, who played his first game for them on Saturday.

They also had former England Test cricketer Alan Wells in the side and his 
son Luke was able to play after Sussex beat Worcestershire early on Friday night.

However, it was Matt Cooke with five for 32 who exploited the conditions most profitably, and in doing so enabled the visitors to bowl the home side out for 131.

Only captain Mark Bamford with 35 and Richard Browning (45) provided any resistance.

Sunny and windy conditions allowed the surface to dry and batting was much easier for Eastbourne.

In fact, they reached the victory target for the loss of just five wickets and claimed 30 points in the process. Chichester claimed just four.

James Stedman took three wickets and Daniel Joseph two, but Alan Wells steered the visitors to victory with 36 not out.

Chichester must look to bounce back as they travel to Horsham on Saturday.