Clydesdale Bank 40, Amstelveen
Sussex 271-2 beat Netherlands 123 by 148 runs
By Jack Bradshaw
Sussex Sharks hammered The Netherlands by 148 runs in the Clydesdale Bank 40 to extend their lead at the top of Group A in Amstelveen.
Centuries from Chris Nash and Lou Vincent saw the visitors post a mammoth total of 271-2 from their 40 overs after being put into bat.
The pair put on 194 for the second wicket at well over a run a ball before the Netherlands skipper Peter Borren finally removed New Zealander Vincent for a sublime 102 from just 87 balls.
Nash celebrated his first-call up to the England Lions one-day squad in fine style, carrying his bat to finish 116 not out and record his second 40-over century of the summer.
There was no respite for the hosts when they began their innings as Chris Liddle blew away their top order in a sensational opening spell.
The left-armer took career-best figures of 5-18 from his eight overs to leave The Netherlands reeling at 32-5.
Tall off-spinner Luke Wells bowled with control, taking three wickets as Sussex ran through the Dutch batting line-up with ease.
And it was left to Monty Panesar to wrap the victory with a rare run-out as the Netherlands were dismissed for a measly 123.
The Sharks, who now sit comfortably atop Group A, host Somerset in the County Championship on Tuesday (2 August) before their Friends Life T20 quarter-final against Lancashire on a week on Monday (8 August).