v Middlesex (H) Mon 6 Sep to Thu 9 Sep 2021 CC

156 and 80 is alright.

Tom Haines - Different Class. How much more we would have struggled without him this season? More worryingly, how much longer before we lose him to the England Lions set up, International call ups or worse still him being poached by one of the bigger Counties?

At 222-1, 250-2 and 271-3 I was lulled into that false sense that the draw was a real possibility, but as Liquid said in an earlier post our tail starts at 4 and whilst I suspect this was a bit tongue in cheek and very harsh on Ibrahim, Hudson-Prentice and Carter, he was proved oh so right. Inexperience for the second match in a row proving a real factor.

Barring a match saving innings second time around, the decision to play Garton as a batter remains as mystifying as it does ill conceived. Chris Woakes hardly bowls all season, bar a few deliveries in white ball Cricket, yet he can return to the Test Match arena and perform admirably with the ball yet a fully fit Garton who has bowled all summer isn't able to play a full and active part in our Championship side. Go figure that one out.

Can't help feeling we made it easy for Middlesex. Some really poor shot selection. Brown had a hundred for the taking when he wondered down the track, Garton and Ibrahim out to loose shots and then we come to the one that I suspect will garner most criticism Delray. Six wickets down, last over before Tea just play for the interval. Talk me through that one please.

Don't get me wrong I am a massive fan, I think he is one of our most all round talented players in all disciplines, but there comes a point when you can't excuse it any longer. Surely, the coaching staff must have worked on his game management and must by now be exasperated. I can only conclude he is a one dimensional player, unfortunately it is a dimension that has no place in red ball cricket. Others may disagree, but for me time for some tough love. A long run in the seconds and he stays there until he scores heavily and consistently and demonstrates the ability to play according to the match situation. In this team he is one of the more experienced players, he really needs to start demonstrating that and leading by example. That is not just on today, but based on what we have seen more times than I care to remember over a protracted period now.

Hoping I am wrong, but Haines aside am very much expecting another capitulation tomorrow. Hopefully, Tom will get past a 1000 runs for the season to at least give us something to celebrate.

Finally and I apologise if I am on my own here, but is anybody else finding the smug Middlesex commentator on the stream as irritating as me? It was so pleasing when Adrian Harms casually slipped in the reminder to him that Middlesex lost seven of their matches in the first group stage this season. A pity he didn't go further. ​Middlesex, a Test Match Playing Ground County with greater Resources, better Infrastructure, bigger budget and larger playing squad than Sussex yet...

Still find themselves in Group 3 of the second stage of the County Championship
Failed to qualify in the T20 finishing second bottom in the South Group - When did they last qualify?
Finished second bottom in their RLOC Group below Sussex
Churning out fewer Players for England than our good selves at present
No more successful than we are in holding on to key squad members (Gubbins, Finn, Harris)

Yet smashing the ball all around Hove on a featherbed track against a team of young kids in perfect batting conditions is somehow lauded as a great achievement and the rescuing of an otherwise underwhelming season. I can only conclude the bar has been set pretty low at the Home of Cricket.

Thought I’d look up Rawlins averages, doesn’t make for good reading.

stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13821&team=1422&type=tournament

I agree Devonexile. A well reasoned and sensible post. The risk with Delray, is that IF, (and it is a big IF) he does start performing in the shorter format, he will get snapped up by the T20 leagues around the world, and that is of no use to Sussex. I hope for his sake this happens, but unfortunately I think the Hundred really hindered his opportunity to prove his worth to Sussex with a good run of games in the 50 over format to find form and rhythm, instead he carried drinks whilst we had overseas players like De Grandhomme and David given the opportunities (I know Delray represents Bermuda, but he is also English qualified). So unfortunately in this ruthless modern age, Sussex should now focus on developing the likes of Carson and Lenham as allrounders, and bring in one or two experienced batters to shore up the middle order. 

Fair enough Liquid.  But you can't fool me, you are just keeping 10 and 11 free for your favourites Meaker and Claydon !!

No, joking aside 3 to 5 is a real problem for Sussex at present.  Brown can fill one spot (if he stays with us) and Salt would have filled another if he hadn't been leaving.  I believe Ibrahim will eventually be good enough to bat higher, but some serious recruitment needed during close season at the top order together with another seamer to cover for the inevitable absence of Robinson once he gets his deserved Central Contract.

We should have a bit of spare cash what with the money we get for Robinson and Archer, together with Salt, Jordan, Van Zyl, Wiese, Meaker, Claydon and by all accounts Thomason on their way out.  Possibly Head as well if the quarantine rules remain down under.

Back to the match, a good effort to drag it out today by the majority of the side.  What happened to the intermittent showers that were forecast?

Haines, a plus, yes potential England, say softly, bit early don't want to kill it do we?
The rest, 2nd team next year, to learn how to play, 3/4 day games and win.
For me leaving Beer out has not helped. played against Glamorgan, added stability at the end of both innings, bowled well in his 1st game for
2 seasons. Then rejected, why? Also, if you ever watch is always offering views and advice. Speak to the young ones,
they respect what he has to say.
Rawlins persisted with, with what return? Nil. Why?
If Salisbury wants youth, why sign Finn? Mixed up thinking. No strategy.
Interested to see what new signings they make.
Liquid, the best batting coaches won't turn sow ears into silk purses, look at Sibley and Burns? What techinques they have, dreadful.
About attitude and wanting to learn and improve.