Smith scores aggressive 30

A typically aggressive innings from out-of-favour West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith failed to prevent Sussex from crashing to a 17-run defeat to Essex in the Twenty/Twenty Cup game yesterday in England.



The right-hander smashed the top score of 30 from 23 balls but Sussex were dismissed for 131 with five balls remaining, in pursuit of the visitors’ 148 all out off 19.4 overs.



Smith, who starred in the recent Indian Premier League for the Deccan Chargers, cracked two fours and sixes and shared a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 38 with captain Michael Yardy who got 29 from 34 balls.



Sussex were undermined by fast bowler Chris Wright who snatched four for 24 and fellow pacer Graham Napier who claimed three for 21, including the wicket of Smith.