Chris Adams struck gold to put Sussex within one win of a third successive appearance in the knockout stages of the Benson and Hedges Cup.

The Sussex captain made an unbeaten 80 to guide his side to their second win in the south group at Hove yesterday when they defeated Hampshire by six wickets with an over to spare.

Adams duly collected the gold award, the ninth man of the match accolade of his career, and then predicted that victory over Middlesex at Lord's tomorrow (10.45) would virtually guarantee Sussex's place in the quarter-finals.

He said: "It was a crucial win for us. The pitch probably did a bit too much and wasn't ideal for one-day cricket but you cannot argue that it produced a great game of cricket."

Adams shared a crucial fourth wicket stand of 95 in 23 overs with Tony Cottey, who made 61, accelerating after he had reached 50 to score his runs off 118 balls with three fours and sixes off James Hamblin and Neil Johnson.

Adams says he is content to play more of an anchor role these days.

"I'm not as explosive in one-day cricket now, I've tightened up my technique a lot and the way I play doesn't allow me to free my arms up and go for the width. I play more of an anchor role but I know that if I bat for the majority of the overs I will get a score and we will win the game."

Adams also had praise for his bowlers who fought back well after pinch-hitter Hamblin and Johnson had 52 on the board from just four overs.

He added: "We knew Hamblin was a dangerous player and that he was going to play his shots, but credit to our bowlers. I've never seen Billy Taylor bowl as well as he did yesterday while Mark Davis bowled with real control and variation.

"He also got the wicket of Robin Smith just at a time when he was starting to look dangerous."

Sussex now have two wins from three games and a favourable run rate with matches left. They wrap up their campaign against Surrey at Hove on Monday and Adams would like to have sealed their quarter-final place by then.

He added: "Surrey have lost all three so far so the law of averages suggests they are going to win one at some stage.

"But if we play like we did today then we will not have any worries about playing anyone although we won't be taking Middlesex lightly."