LONDON, England, CMC – Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith plundered a breathtaking half-century but it was not enough to save Sussex from a 35-run defeat to Nottinghamshire in the English County Championship yesterday.

The aggressive right-hander got a quick-fire 80 from a mere 54 balls as Sussex were dismissed for 336, in pursuit of 372 for victory on the final day of the Division One encounter at Trent Bridge. Entering the fray at 224 for six, Smith reeled off three fours and six spectacular sixes to haul the visitors back into the contest.

He dominated a 54-run, seventh wicket stand off 51 balls with Joe Gatting who got 70 and then shepherded the tail – which included Barbados and West Indies seamer Corey Collymore – before being the last man out.

Earlier, Smith had finished with the leading figures of four for 58 as Notts, resuming the day at 236 for seven, were bowled out for 286. Collymore claimed two for 41.

At Derby, former West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds got a start but failed to carry on as Essex chased down a big target to beat Derbyshire by five wickets on the final day of their Division Two match.

Unbeaten on 11 overnight, the left-handed Hinds got 36 with four fours and two sixes and Garry Park stroked an unbeaten 103 to prompt a Derbyshire declaration at 240 for four.

Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate then slammed an unbeaten 108 from 59 balls with nine fours and eight sixes, to wrench the advantage from Hinds’ side and pull off an incredible win for Essex. ten Doeschate shared an unbroken stand of 156 for the sixth wicket with Mark Pettini who carved out 85 from 94 balls.

At the Oval, Barbadian Chris Jordan hit a valuable, unbeaten 37 to help earn a draw for under-pressure Surrey against Glamorgan also in Division Two.

Starting the day on 24 for one needing a further 248 to avoid defeat after Glamorgan had piled up 702 in their first innings, Surrey ended on 309 for seven in their second innings.