Sussex were sunk by a former colleague who learnt his cricket in Tasmania - and it was not Michael di Venuto.

The Sharks thought they had done the hard bit at Arundel when di Venuto, their former colleague and National League tormentor last season, was sent back early thanks to Billy Taylor's razor sharp return to the bowler's end.

Instead, Chris Bassano took charge and, along with recently-signed Indian international Mohammad Kaif, eased Derbyshire from 31-2 to a comfortable win which surely ends Sussex's hopes of promotion.

Bassano, born in Port Elizabeth, raised in Hobart but with an English mother, had a few games for Sussex seconds before signing for Derbyshire in 2001.

He relished his return to these parts in front of a 2,500 crowd, emulating Murray Goodwin's feat of recording his best limited overs score for his county and easing his team to a convincing victory in the process.

Bassano took particular liking to Mark Davis, driving him for 14 off three balls which appeared to have spelt the end of the Sussex spinner's bowling contribution.

When Davis had another crack, Bassano rubbed it in with a huge six over mid-wicket.

Not that the seamers fared much better as Sussex's woes in this competition continued.

Three successive wins in both the Championship and Twenty20, yet they still cannot get the National League formula right.

There is nothing wrong with Goodwin's form as back-to-back tons, plus a matchwinning 80 not out at Lord's, prove.

His 129 not out on a slow wicket came off 130 balls and included 18 fours By contrast, Matt Prior's single was his first run in four League innings this year.

He was dismissed by the opening delivery of both Sussex's wins in this competition but this time lasted until the second ball of the second over before being trapped by Kevin Dean.

Dominic Cork's menacing opening spell had its reward when Tony Cottey got the slightest touch to a lifting legside delivery and was caught behind but Goodwin and Chris Adams then took over.

At least, Goodwin did, dominating a 19-over stand of 87 while his skipper was rather more restrained.

Adams never really mastered the pace of the pitch but played a decent supporting role before mis-timing a drive from Hewson high into hands of a retreating Neil Gunter at mid-on.

Occasionally Goodwin had a hint of luck, such as a pull just short of deep square leg and drive inches over gully but generally it was superb stuff.

He straight drove Gunter first bounce on to the grass bank at the Park End, then welcomed the introduction of spin by sweeping Liam Wharton's overpitched loosener to the fine leg boundary.

The century was reached in dashing style, his 15th four, with a cut over point from Cork's first ball back in the attack.

Tim Ambrose contributed fully to a fifth-wicket stand of 54 in ten overs before getting through a pull too early and offering Hewson an easy return catch.

The same bowler completed a four-wicket haul when Kevin Innes skied to cover, though not before a driven six over long on off Graeme Welch as 48 were added off the last seven overs.

It looked a very decent total until Bassano and Kaif constructed their perfectly-paced partnership.

They put on 126 in 26 overs until Kaif was trapped by Martin-Jenkins.

Hewson though helped Bassano add 68 in nine overs to ensure victory for his side and surely another year in the second tier for the Sussex Sharks.

thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/sport/cricket/