And the hosts, who play in division three west in the county league, gave their illustrious visitors a real run for their money.

Buoyed by an excellent turnout and good weather, the players took to the field with Sussex batting first.

Matt Prior and Michael Yardy opened the batting and for Middleton's young opening bowling attack of Mark Carroll and Brandon Hanley, it was an intimidating prospect bowling at two England stars.

With Twenty20 rules meaning only two fielders are allowed out of the ring in the first five overs, Prior smashed the bowling to all parts of the ground.

He was watchful for two balls – before striking 55 off of his next 19 balls, which included ten fours and two sixes. Yardy filled his boots at the other end.

It looked as if Middleton could be chasing 300, but Adam Rawstrone helped quell the run rate with a superb four-over spell that saw him claim the wickets of Yardy, Chris Nash, Murray Goodwin and Martin-Jenkins for just 17.

It was a brilliant performance, helped by excellent catching in the deep by Jack Lerwill, who also caught Prior off of Aaron Madgewick's bowling.

With the flow of runs stemmed, skipper Chris Adams and Jason Lewry guided Sussex to a score of 196.

Middleton skipper Matt Warren said: "It was a good effort from our bowlers considering at one time the county champions were 80 for nought from six overs."

Middleton had a trick up their sleeve – Stirlands captain and former Sussex man Sean Heather was drafted in and showed why he is the leading run scorer in the county league, hitting magnificent shots off off Corey Collymore and Martin-Jenkins.

When he was dismissed by academy prospect Rollings for 30, it was down to two of Middleton's own to put together a magnificent partnership that nearly won them the game.

Lerwill showed his talent with 97, including six sixes and 11 fours. He and Stuart Nelmes added 140, Nelmes contributing 43.

Lerwill was agonisingly run out going for his century, and as the balls ran out Middleton were left needing nine off two deliveries.
Chris Spedding smashed one for four, so needed a six for glory, but could only manage three.

So Sussex claimed victory by two runs in a thoroughly entertaining affair – and probably won a few new fans as well.