SUSSEX'S unbeaten run in one-day cricket is over after a seven-wicket defeat against Surrey under the Duckworth/ Lewis method on Sunday.
The result saw the Sharks end the Friends Life t20 group stage with a bit of a whimper, having seen their match with Hampshire abandoned on Friday before bottom side Surrey went away from Hove with a victory on Sunday.
In truth, Sussex were on course for victory in both matches, with Matt Prior impressing with the bat on Friday, scoring 81 runs off just 37 balls as Sussex scored 203-5 from 17.4 overs.
However, heavy rain prompted the abandonment of the game, ruining the Sharks' chances of a win, but sealing home advantage in the quarter-final by virtue of them winning the group.
Then, on Sunday, Luke Wright (54no) and Chris Nash (41no) again combined to help Sussex score 104-0 from nine overs, before rain again brought an abrupt end to their innings.
But this time, it had even more of an impact, with Surrey set a target in the late afternoon sun of just 62 runs in five overs under the Duckworth/ Lewis method.
And Kevin Pietersen inspired the Lions to a consolation win, smashing an unbeaten 36 off 16 balls, including a huge six to finish the match with two balls to spare.
This left Sussex to bemoan a disappointing defeat to bring an end to the group stage, although Chris Liddle did provide some positives with two brilliant diving catches in the field.
However, they do have a home quarter-final against the Gloucestershire Gladiators to look forward to and professional cricket manager Mark Robinson is expecting an interesting contest.
He said: "It was a shame to lose like we did and the lads didn't deserve that.
"But it has been a special campaign so far and we look forward to a one-off game with Gloucestershire, who have some very good players with the likes of Hamish Marshall and Muttiah Muralitharan.
"It is a home match for us and that is the major thing and hopefully we can use that to our advantage."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Sussex Police Chief Constable investigated over misconduct claims - thisissussex.co.uk
THE county's top police officer is being investigated by an independent watchdog over claims of misconduct.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Martin Richards reportedly meddled in a police inquiry into an alleged sex attack.
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probe: Chief constable Martin Richards
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched a probe after an anonymous complaint was received, claiming he used "undue influence" during a police operation.
The allegation, made on June 14, was carefully considered by the Sussex Police Authority and referred to the IPCC in light of Mr Richard's seniority.
The authority said the decision to refer the allegation does not reflect any assumption of wrongdoing.
Mr Richards said: "Given the senior position I hold and the trust placed in me by the people of Sussex and my colleagues, it is absolutely right that the Sussex Police Authority has voluntarily referred this matter to the IPCC for independent scrutiny. I will co-operate fully with the investigation to help them establish the facts.
"With trust in the police at the forefront of ongoing legitimate public interest nationally, I am mindful of the need to conduct my duties with the utmost integrity and an expectation of scrutiny.
"This is a view shared across the force and we have recently updated all our policies in this area to underline this commitment."
After graduating from Bristol University, Mr Richards joined Warwickshire Police in 1982 and served in the force throughout the area.
He achieved a Masters in Criminology at Cambridge University before being appointed Assistant Chief Constable at Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 1998.
He was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2002, before becoming Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police two years later.
Mr Richards has held his current position at Sussex Police since October 2007.
He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2008.
He is also chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers in the South East.
He said it will be "business as usual" while the IPCC's investigation is ongoing.
An IPCC spokesman said: "An anonymous complaint was referred to the IPCC by the Sussex Police Authority.
"It alleges that Martin Richards may have used undue influence in relation to an operational policing issue."
The investigation continues.
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
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