Hampshire cruised to a seven-wicket win over Sussex and were left with an agonising wait to discover whether it would be enough to secure promotion to Division One of the Norwich Union League.

A Worcestershire victory over Essex at New Road would deny them and if that were the case Robin Smith's men will doubtless reflect on the home defeats against lowly Essex and Middlesex as the reasons why they missed out.

At least they ended in style, bowling Sussex out for just 142 on a greenish Hove pitch before racing to victory with 22.1 overs unused.

James Hamblin was their match-winner. He checked a late order Sussex revival by taking the last three wickets to finish with 3-23 before smashing 60 off just 42 balls as Hampshire launched their reply in thrilling style.

Hamblin hit 14 fours and a six off James Kirtley in his blitz, racing to his 50 in just 33 minutes of mayhem off just 28 balls. Neil Johnson (42) supported him well in a stand of 103 in 13 overs for the first wicket.

Hampshire lost three wickets in successive overs with veteran Mark Robinson claiming two of them on what could turn out to be his final appearance for the county.

But Derek Kenway and Simon Francis sped their side to victory with an unbroken stand of 35 and the winning runs were scored at 4.25pm.

Earlier Robin Martin-Jenkins (38) and Billy Taylor (19) had organised some resistance from the Sussex tail after they had slumped to 63-6. There were two wickets apiece for Dimitri Mascerenhas, Shaun Udal and Alan Mullally.

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