Northamptonshire 2XI slipped to an 8 wicket defeat despite an eye-catching Zen Malik century on Day 3 at Peterborough Town CC.
The 2XI started the penultimate day on 194/4, with Charles Oldershaw on 16 and Zen Malik on 79.
The pair managed to build on their partnership that formed on Day 2, bringing up the fifty stand on the second ball of the day. Four overs later, Malik brought up his century, striking thirteen 4s and three 6s in a much needed innings for the 2XI.
Unfortunately Malik was only able to add one run to his century as he fell caught and bowled by Lenham in the 58th over, ending his brilliant innings and breaking the 5th wicket stand of 92 with Oldershaw. Freddie Heldreich joined Oldershaw at the crease but the latter was dismissed shortly after as he was bowled for 37, leaving the 2XI 278-6 and still trailing the Sussex 2XI first innings.
Heldreich and Rishabh Upadhyay both looked confident at the crease, making their way into the twenties, however neither were able to build on their scores as they both fell, along with Alex Russell in the space of four overs.
The last wicket stand between Ethan Rice and George O’Connor helped the 2XI gain a lead over Sussex 2XI but the partnership ended of 40 as O’Connor was bowled by Foreman for 25 off 21 balls. Rice remained unbeaten with 19 off 18 deliveries but Sussex only required 47 runs for victory.
The 2XI did make a breakthrough early on, with O’Connor removing Harrison Ward for 8 as he found Freddie Heldreich who took a good catch at slip.
Five overs later, Alex Russell trapped Lion-Cachet LBW for 14 and Sussex found themselves 34-2.
Willis and Lenham took Sussex through to the required total in the 11th over, giving Sussex 2XI an 8 wicket victory on the Day 3.