Delray Rawlins scored 29 runs in Sussex’s second innings but could not help his team avoid defeat to Kent by 164 runs in a Second XI Championship match at Polo Farm Field yesterday.

Kent declared on the third morning of the four-day game on 245 for nine, setting Sussex a target of 292 for victory. An opening stand of 137 in 22.4 overs between Phil Salt, who recently scored back-to-back Second-XI centuries, and captain Angus Robson made it interesting.

However, once the pair departed, Salt for 53 off 66 balls and Robson for 70 off 84 balls, Kent took control with four wickets going down in just 14 overs. Rawlins held up one end, hitting five fours off 66 balls, before he was eventually fifth out on 193. The left-handed batsman was caught behind by wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson, one of his four catches among the first five dismissals.

Nick Welch, batting in the middle order, tried to deny Kent victory with a dogged innings of 16 not out in 120 minutes but no other Sussex batsman reached double figures.

Imran Qayyum, the sixth Kent bowler used, claimed five for 50 from 21.5 overs of left-arm spin. He dismissed Rawlins and then bowled the last four batsmen to secure the win as Sussex slumped from 193 for five to 227 all out.