Sussex thrilled a crowd of more than 3,500 as Twenty20 Cup cricket caught the imagination at Hove last night.
Robin Martin-Jenkins made 47 not out and then took 4-20 while Matt Prior hit 46 as Sussex beat Middlesex by 41 runs to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next month's finals.
Nearly 200 fans missed the start because of the bigger than expected crowd on what Director of Cricket Peter Moores described as "a great night for the club."
He said: "We said before the start to the players that the theme for the night was enjoyment. Matt Prior set the tone by hitting the first two balls for four and I think the crowd will have gone home feeling they have been entertained.
"It was a great night for the club and I'm sure a lot of people who came will return for the other two games. They supported us superbly and really got involved and the players absolutely loved it because the atmosphere was so good."
Sussex made 177-9 from their 20 overs before bowling out Middlesex for 136 to record only their third win in ten one-day games this season.
"It was good to see we could perform without four of our one-day regulars," added Moores. "We posted a big score which will give our batsmen confidence and I thought we bowled and fielded really well."
Sussex host South Africa in a day-night game at Hove tomorrow (2.30pm).
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