Sussex Cricket Board are looking forward to a dream home tie against holders Gloucestershire in the third round of the C & G Trophy following a fine win over Shropshire.

Chris Waller's team triumphed by 36 runs at Hastings as Shropshire, set 308 to win, were bowled out for 271 with 19 deliveries remaining.

Sussex will take on Gloucestershire at Horsham in a match coach Waller can hardly wait for.

He said: "It was a tremendous effort by the boys to beat Shropshire and now they will be playing in the biggest game of their careers."

Waller's selection for the Shropshire match was affected by the fact that several of the Academy players were called away to play for the Second XI in their four day match against Hampshire at Hove.

Other players were ruled out due to their studies at school and impending examinations and Waller said changes were possible for the clash against Gloucestershire.

He added: "The average age of the team will probably be 21 to 23. Five or six Academy lads will be in the frame but I will sit down with the captain and we will pick the team between us."

Sussex, put in by Shropshire at Horntye Park, were splendidly served by opener George Campbell, who cracked 141 off 176 balls.

Campbell, who stroked 17 boundaries, gave his side the perfect start by putting on 127 for the first wicket with Paul Stevens, who made 62 at a run a ball.

After Stevens was bowled by Andy Byram, David Hussey joined Campbell to add 94 before Hussey was lbw to Andy Shimmonds for 46.

Opening bowler Kevin Evans ended Campbell's three hour stay by bowling him, and Evans also trapped Richard Jackson for seven before the innings ended.

Shropshire made a bold bid to reach their tarket on a good batting wicket, and Andy Johnson (62) and former Warwickshire batsman Asif Din (60) were dismissed at vital times as they just fell short.

The visitors lost their last seven wickets for only 37 after Johnson and the 40-year-old Din shared a fourth wicket stand of 112.

Brian Jones (39) and James Ralph (73) had earlier put on 109 for the second wicket after John Morgan had struck with the first ball of the innings to have John Anders caught at slip.

Johnson had cracked seven fours off 63 balls when he was caught behind off Morgan and Hugo Southwell later grabbed the important wicket of Din by having leg before to reduce Shropshire to 265-8.

Southwell, who removed Jones and Ralph at the top of the innings, finished with 3-39 and off spinner Hussey, an Australian who plays for Horsham, mopped up the tail to end with 3-56.

Report by Andy Arlidge
Sports@argus-btn.co.uk