ESSEX were all at sea when they were dumped out of the Benson and Hedges Cup by some breathtaking Sussex batting at the County Ground, Chelmsford on Easter Monday.

The South Coast side smashed the club's highest ever total in the competition ? even though it is now played over 50 rather than 55 overs ? and with Chris Adams and Michael Bevan at the crease, they recorded the highest ever third wicket partnership in the competition's history.

Sussex, who were put in to bat, were 1 for 1 and 28 for 2, but then Adams and Bevan capitalised on some wayward Essex bowling.

Bevan, who the previous day had guided his new club to victory over Hampshire, finished unbeaten on 157 (136 balls) while Adams fell in the penultimate over for 122 (137 balls).

Nasser Hussain and Paul Prichard gave Essex hope, and at 98 for 1, they still had an outside chance.

But Robin Martin-Jenkins, son of cricket journalist Christopher, swung the match with the scalps of Hussain and Stuart Law.

Despite some lusty blows from Danny Law and the tailenders, Essex fell 63 runs short. For Sussex, the win earned them a quarter-final place, for Essex it means one change of silverware this season has already gone.