50 over vs Northants 6th August

A disappointing end and an even more disappointing result. With 58 runs required from 5 overs with only 3 wickets in hand, we should have been able to comfortably defend that position.

However, a much improved performance. I didn't see the conclusion of the Sussex innings, but from what I witnessed earlier and reading the final scorecard, another outstanding batting display from Pujara.

I thought Clark, Hudson-Prentice and Carter were naive with the bat. When consolidation was needed after the loss of early wickets, they attempted to hit us out of trouble and were out to poor shots.

Bowling and fielding wise, the last five overs aside, I thought we were outstanding. Tactically probably the best we have been for a very long while. Completely squeezed them and made runs difficult to accumulate. How much of that was down to Haines captaincy and how much to Farbrace orchestrating proceedings from the boundary rope, we will never know.

Unfortunately, the lack of a genuine death bowler and some muddled thinking from Haines at the end combined with not using his best bowling resources to the full were probably the deciding factors.

Currie probably shouldn't be bowling the final overs, but anyone with 2-18 off their first five, should have been used for his full allocation somewhere along the line. Likewise, Hudson-Prentice bowled six overs for 12 runs in his first spell, but was also not bowled out.

I can understand having bowled so well why Coles was given the 41st, but it proved one over too many. A lot of responsibility for the 19 year old, equally so for Crocombe at the other end, when there were better alternatives.

I think without the burden of captaincy he can return to form in 2024.

I forgot Bopara.

Well, I'm feeling a bit deflated after that.
We didnt get enough runs.
Managed to get ourselves into a winning position and then lost.
I have to agree that our lack of use of Hudson-Prentice and Currie was baffling.
But there are fine lines.
If Coles's last over had been less expensive; then what?
But he bowled very well to get us into a good position.
At least we competed and weren't hammered.

I don’t think batting out there was easy today, sponge. Mind you, we chose to bat first on a wicket that was cut this morning after yesterday’s deluge. When classy players like Pujara struggle, you know it’s tough. Of course, he is a supreme talent, rode a bit of luck and scored big. I think we should have scored 20-30 more. Once we had snared Vasconceles, we should have won. 20-30 more would have done the job.