TAKING three wickets in as many overs during a deadly second spell of four overs, Jason Lewry snatched away the initiative Lancashire had been given in their rain-affected match by Mike Atherton who, scoring 53, was the common factor in substantial partnerships for the first two wickets.

A collapse followed his departure and Lancashire's eight remaining wickets went down for 76 runs, of which 30 were added for the ninth wicket by Graham Lloyd and Peter Martin. Sussex, who had five overs to face at the end, were required to score 73 runs fewer than they did last year to beat the same opponents in last year's quarter-final at Hove. However, Toby Pierce missed a drive and was bowled in the second over and in the day's last over, Martin got one to leave Wasim Khan and induced a fatal snick.

Sussex's four seam bowlers bowled with splendid accuracy and their fiedling was outstanding. The first of two catches Michael Bevan took at slip - the one that claimed John Crawley - was awesome.

Day 2

Peter Martin, man of the match with five wickets for 30, was the inspiration behind Lancashire's superb comeback against Sussex at Old Trafford. Lancashire, who totalled only 210 on the first day, shot their opponents out for 162 to win by 48 runs.

Martin bowled with such sustained hostility that Lancashire had no cause to miss the injured Wasim Akram and gained sweet revenge for last year's quarter-final defeat at Hove. Their prize is a visit from the old enemy Yorkshire.

By the time Martin ended his first spell with three for 23, the issue was as good as settled. Within 12 overs of the start, Sussex, who resumed at 11 for two from five overs, were reduced to 40 for six. Ian Austin, who shared the new ball with Martin, and first change Richard Green assisted in wrecking the Sussex innings.

Mark Newell survived the collapse to remain unbeaten with a dogged 63 and put on 66 with Paul Jarvis for the seventh wicket. But these runs took 24 overs to accumulate.