Heberlein stars in victory over Slinfold

The win puts Littlehampton hot on the heels of second-from-bottom Wisborough Green as they bid for survival in Sussex League Division 3 West.

Heberlein was captaining the team with Dan Rive unavailable and smashed 137 from only 127 balls as Littlehampton won by five wickets with more than two overs to spare.

Littlehampton won the toss on Saturday and put Slinfold into bat and bowled well to reduce the visitors to 122-7 and then 151-8.

Matt Shuttlewood (48 not out) and Richard Harris (27) held up Littlehampton with a 56-run stand for the ninth wicket, before they were dismissed for 216 in 52 overs.

Amjad Mohsin and Ryan Budd both claimed three wickets each and Steve Godfrey picked up two.

Heberlein ensured got off to an excellent start in their reply as he put on 70 for the opening wicket with Tom Lee, who was out for 13.

Amit Midha (eight) then put on 49 for the second wicket with Heberlein, who added a further 79 for the third wicket with Michael Askew, before he was out for 137.

Heberlein crashed 15 fours and seven sixes in his innings, although he was dropped in the 80s and after he had hit his first century of the season.

Askew and Nathan Perry also fell, before Sam Mellor and Andy Greig took Littlehampton to victory.

Heberlein said: “It was a pretty good day. We would have settled for bowling them out for 216 before their innings but would have liked to have bowled them out for a bit less having had them 122-7.

“We bowled well, though, and put their batsmen under pressure, which was just what we needed to do without Dan playing.

“We then had lots of good partnerships with the bat.

“We’re only three points behind Wisborough now, so we’ve got some momentum and are putting them under pressure.”

Littlehampton are away to Stirlands on Saturday and have Rive back available.