WITH Chris Adams scoring a rumbustious 73, including six fours and three sixes, Sussex strolled past Durham's moderate score with 4.2 overs to spare at Eastbourne.

It was their third win in a row but even if they sustain this winning streak to the end, qualification for the first division next year is extremely unlikely.

Sussex lost Rajesh Rao in only the third over, but the early damage was repaired by a 63-run partnership between Robin Martin-Jenkins, who had also bowled an economical opening spell in Durham's innings, and Adams. Partnered afterwards by Michael Bevan, Adams took Sussex within 33 runs of their objective when his attempt to hit a third six in an over from John Wood ended in his dismissal. Bevan and Mark Newell carefully bridged the gap.

Durham, who had been put in, lost David Boon and Nick Speak in the space of two runs and were reduced to 18 for two. John Morris and Martin Speight steadied the innings. But no sooner had Morris attempted to inject some momentum than he was caught at short extra cover, having scored 41 out of 65.