Pietersen onslaught enlivens draw

Frizzell County Championship D1, Hove, day four: Sussex 252 & 312 drew with Hampshire 280 & 267-8

Scorecard

Pietersen produced a typically exhilarating display

Kevin Pietersen returned to form with 61 off 51 balls as Hampshire and Sussex played out an exciting last day in their Championship game at Hove.

After a delayed start because of rain, Pietersen hit three sixes in a stand of 113 with Sean Ervine (57).

But their dismissals by Mushtaq Ahmed halted the run chase and the visitors, who had been set a target of 285, were 267-8 when the game ended as a draw.

James Kirtley took 4-88 for Sussex and was well supported by Mushtaq (3-89)

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Play did not start until 3.30pm, with an inspired performance needed from one of the sides if there was to be a positive result.

John Crawley and night-watchman Billy Taylor added 41 runs to Hampshire's overnight 89-3, but Kirtley then made a double breakthrough which appeared to tilt things in Sussex's favour.

Taylor was first to go, caught by Ian Ward for 24, and Crawley followed for 22 off the next delivery when he edged to the keeper.

Sussex seamer Kirtley had match figures of 8-142

Pietersen and Ervine, who survived Kirtley's hat-trick ball, came together with what looked like a survival battle in front of them.

But drawing inspiration from each other, they set about the Sussex attack with the single-minded purpose of winning the game.

As the score mounted rapidly beyond 200, the pressure was on the home side, but leg-spinner Mushtaq held his nerve and struck a crucial blow when he had Pietersen caught by Murray Goodwin at deep square leg.

But the former Notts batsman had done enough to rid himself of the memory of a second ball dismissal earlier in the game and keep his name in the minds of the England selectors ahead of the Tests against Bangladesh.

Kirtley bowled Hampshire skipper Shane Warne for six and when Ervine skied a catch to Jason Lewry, it was Sussex's turn to make a last push for victory.

But Nic Pothas and Shaun Udal stood firm for the last 20 minutes to finish on six and four not out.