Sussex close in on title

Mushtaq Ahmed took his 100th championship wicket of the season at Hove today and then added two more for good measure to push Sussex ever nearer their first championship title.

The leg-spinner came in for some harsh treatment for seven overs as a stand of 69 between Darren Maddy and Brad Hodge took Leicestershire to 111 for one. But then Mushtaq turned his last delivery of the morning past Hodge's attempted defensive stroke to hit off stump.

Home supporters gave 'Mushy' a standing ovation - and they were on their feet four times in as many overs after lunch as the visitors fell to 118 for six

Mushtaq had John Sadler stumped and Luke Wright taken at short leg while seamer Billy Taylor sent back Darren Maddy and Paul Nixon to give Sussex two of the six points which will guarantee them the title at the 104th attempt.

Seamers Jason Lewry and Robin Martin-Jenkins kept up the good work to earn Sussex a third bowling point and then Mushtaq finished off the visitors for 179 by bowling last man David Masters.
Leics 179 v Sussex

Surrey

Jon Batty was the mainstay as a weakened Surrey struggled to 294 for seven against Essex at The Oval.
Batty made 87 off 142 balls as only Nadeem Shahid provided any real support with a quick-fire 67. James Middlebrook took three for 38.
Surrey 294-7 (72 overs) v Essex