Sussex v Durham Aug 5

Should be exciting times but it doesn't feel like that. Where is everybody?

Hi S&F - sorry to mention it, but "a must win game" has become a reviled cliché!  

On a serious note, it'll be interesting to see what sort of crowd turns up today. As the match is on Sky, the club is obviously keen to fill up as many seats as possible, hence under 18s going free.

Do we know what sort of crowds have turned up so far for this 2:00 to 10:00 malarkey? 

Arafat  played in the last 50 over game v Warwicks and was by far the pick of the bowlers with 3-36 from ten overs. Can't see any reason why Liddle would replace him unless he's not fit.  Hatchett deserves another chance. Piolet needs more consistency. Had the best figures of any Sussex bowler v Notts and thern the worst v Warwicks.

We are all wrong. Both Liddle and Hatchett are playing. No Magoffin. Durham win the toss and bat first. Ironically, Liddle was bowling really well in the warm-up... Kept hitting the wicket. Let's hope it's a good omen. We need a tight spell from him today if we are to win the game. That and Wright scoring high.

I think a lot of people have based their opinion of Liddle based on performances in the middle rather than the warm up. Two years ago I watched him practicing with Robbo at Worcester. He hit a pair of shoes on Yorker length four times out of six.

today as the specialist death bowler he will 1.not complete ten overs 2.go at over six an over and be our most expensive bowler.

hope I am wrong but Z for Liddle improves the batting and bowling based on this seasons evidence.

We're off! Hatchett opens the bowling. Tiny crowd, presumably this will increase as the afternoon continues. John Lees practising his annunciation of CA...CHOPAAH. Good first over from Lewis. Arafat from the other end.

2 loose balls from Hatchett and 8 runs. The trial of being a seamer.

14 off 4 overs. Fair start for Sussex.

Positive body language from Sussex fielders. Wright particularly buzzy - no sign of a niggly injury thank God.

Liddle comes on and the run rate increases.

77-1 off 16 overs. Mustard run out. A much needed break through.

Crowd starting to gradually increase but given U18s have FREE admission and it's the school holidays why aren't there more of them?

Well done Will! 100-2 off 21 overs. 

This zzzzfest is boring - not even quarter of the way through - some of the media guys are falling asleep - over to the unofficial alternative match.

It's Liddle of old. Bang the ball half way down the pitch, batsman mishooks and Arafat takes the catch at deep fine leg. In recent years this type of delivery goes for 6. Not this time. 142-3 off 30 overs.

287-8 off 50 overs. Gettable but we need Wright and two other batters to score BIG.

You will win nothing if your batsmen can't pass 40. This is supposed to be county cricket not village cricket. May I suggest we employ a full time batting coach (not Les Lenham). PATHETIC! For alledged professional cricketers it has been an extremely tame surrender by our batsman who have got themselves out rather than been bowled out.

I would give Hobden a run of games as he is the future which Liddle clearly is not.