Gatting helps Sussex sign off in style

ABU DHABI // Joe Gatting, a nephew of the former England captain Mike Gatting, thumped a superb century as Sussex rounded off their preseason campaign with a resounding six-wicket win over Surrey in the Emirates ProArch playoff for fifth place at the Zayed Stadium earlier tonight. Gatting, 21, played shots all around the wicket and led the run chase with Ed Joyce, sharing a 125-run stand in 25 overs for the opening wicket. And Ben Brown (24 not out in 10 balls) completed the win in style by hoisting Simon King to the midwicket fence for his second six. Gatting's 136-ball knock of 110 balls contained eight fours and three sixes, before he was caught out at deep midwicket by Chris Jordan off Laurie Evans' first over, but not before the young opener had done the job for his side, who were left to score 46 from more than 10 overs. The spinner Murtaza Hussain gave Surrey the breakthrough when he had Joyce caught at the covers by Evans after reaching his half century. Joyce, who has can boast a One-Day International century against Australia, faced 59 deliveries and hit six fours. Earlier Michael Brown hit a century and shared a 114-run stand opening wicket partnership with Matthew Spriegel for Surrey to post 255 for five in the 50 overs. Brown hit half-a-dozen fours and faced 129 deliveries and Spriegel's 58 contained five hits to the fence. The openers toiled under the hot afternoon sun to give their side a sound start but it was a little cameo from the West Indian born all-rounder Jordan who gave them a five-plus score per over to defend. Chris Murtagh chipped in with 32 off 43 balls and Jordan, promoted to No 5, hit a couple of boundaries and a six over the long-off for 28 not out off 19 deliveries. Jordan later bowled a seven-over opening spell for 26. Middlesex play Essex in Wednesday's final at the Zayed Stadium and Lancashire face Yorkshire in the playoff for third at the Sharjah Stadium.