|
|
Post by longstop on May 24, 2018 5:36:56 GMT
After an impressive 75 run win at Taunton on Tuesday, Sussex will be looking to establish themselves in the higher part of the league table when Middlesex come to Hove. It will be the fourth of eight games in the Royal London One Day Cup and gives Sussex a chance to be on 6 points from 4 games. As things stand, Hampshire lead the table with maximum points from 3 games, but there are four teams with 2 wins from 3 games – Somerset, Sussex, Middlesex and Gloucestershire.
Our opponents, Middlesex, started the Royal London One Day Cup poorly as Essex comfortably passed their total of 250 in their first game. Middlesex bounced back with a win over Kent – Paul Stirling scored a hundred and Tom Helm took four wickets as Kent fell 70 runs short. In their most recent game, Middlesex narrowly beat Glamorgan by two runs with Eoin Morgan, who is in good form, scoring a quick fifty.
Last season’s game was washed out. Having conceded 341 runs, the weather intervened, arguably to save the game for Sussex. In 2016, Sussex beat Middlesex well to record their only RLODC victory that season. In a shortened game of 32 overs apiece, Phil Salt scored 81 to help us to a total of 222 for 7. Chris Jordan then performed admirably with the ball, taking 5 for 28, as Middlesex were bowled out for 191.
A win against Middlesex will have Sussex supporters really believing that we can qualify for the knock out phase of the competition. Having beaten Middlesex already in the County Championship, hopes will be high. Will we manage a third win? We will see.
|
|
|
|
Post by joe on May 24, 2018 6:32:00 GMT
Although Archers team were knocked out of the IPL yesterday, it’s too soon to think he’ll be back for this one. More likely to be the Glos game on Sunday or Surrey on Tuesday. I’m sure Dizzy will look to rest Robinson and/or Wiese, who’ve played every game so far, when Archer and Jordan return.
For this game I would expect the same team with perhaps Garton coming in for Sakande if he’s over his side strain.
Beating Middlesex in the CC has given us the psychological upper hand and we should go into the game with confidence.
|
|
|
|
Post by jonboy on May 25, 2018 10:12:49 GMT
So now Luke missing, anyone know what the problem is and how long he’ll be out for?
|
|
|
|
Post by Wicked Cricket on May 25, 2018 12:54:20 GMT
Sussex fighting back after the blockbuster opening partnership from Middlesex. A general feeling from the media is that 300-325 is par score on this rather flat and unassuming pitch. That means Middlesex is behind the count. My problem being who does Sussex have in the batting line-up today to get us up to 325? Ben Brown is one batsman who requires a high score.
While the Sussex ground fielding has been superb once again today, their catching is still the elephant in the room. Sadly, Wells has just dropped a sitter. Meanwhile, Sharma is bowling superbly with consistent Yorkers.
edit: Another catch goes begging. What on earth is going on when our ground fielding is so good?
|
|
|
|
Post by philh on May 25, 2018 13:56:44 GMT
It’s all too true about the difference between our ground fielding and catching. However, I think we got out of jail there. At one stage, I would have settled for 310, mainly because I imagined 340 or so being on the board.
We still need three or more to bat well. An interesting afternoon lies ahead athough I have to leave after 20ish overs.
|
|
|
|
Post by worthingsccc on May 25, 2018 19:48:21 GMT
People will blame the batsman for not scoring the runs but the truth is we are badly lacking in experience and our back up bowlers are equally as poor. Wells is not a one day player and is expensive will the ball. None of the youngsters Sakande, Garton and Whittingham are doing anything to warrant a place - far too expensive. The club need to sign a batsman ASAP otherwise this tournament will be gone and any chance of Championship promotion will follow. Luke’s injury is a huge blow as Brown needs him in the squad to help captain the side. We need to win Sunday and sadly we will have to go with the following in my eyes: Salt (we have no one else), Evans, Finch, Brown, Burgess, Wiese, Archer, Robinson, Beer, Sharma, Briggs. That batting line up scares me! Let’s pray for rain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wicked Cricket on May 25, 2018 20:19:41 GMT
This was a poor batting performance. They never seemed to get out of first gear. Luke Wright is the inspiration of this batting side and
without him, the side seemed lost, Salt, I am afraid, needs to return to the 2nd XI to rediscover his confidence and ability.
|
|
|
|
Post by jonboy on May 26, 2018 7:55:48 GMT
Our struggles with both bat and ball this season, were entirely predictable Another impressive performance from Wiese though
|
|
|
|
Post by philh on May 26, 2018 12:56:19 GMT
After seeing us bat, bowl and field (but not catch) so well at Taunton earlier in the week, it was disappointing to see the way we lost to Middlesex. To be fair to Middlesex, their openers, Gubbins and Stirling batted well and the odd mis-timed shot didn't go to hand. However, never looked like taking a wicket for long periods and Briggs and Well, who have bowled fairly well in previous RLDOC games, gave away too many easy runs. We did a reasonable job to keep things under control in the last 10 overs with Sharma bowling economically, but 288 looked a challenging total, especially without Luke Wright. Our catching was poor when there were chances, although our ground fielding and enthusiasm in the field didn't let us down.
When we came to bat, we never seemed to be at the races. Perhaps, without Wright and van Zyl, there was a feeling that Middlesex had scored too many. Although I had to leave midway through the innings, we never looked on course, although David Wiese was in good form with another 50.
The bowling doesn't worry me, particularly with Archer and Jordan ready to replace Sharma soon. Briggs had a bit an off day, but has bowled reasonably well this season. The batting though looks wafer thin if Wright and van Zyl are to be long term absentees. Because of the lack of depth in our batting, they are arguably two of our most important three or four players.
Onward to Bristol where a win would help us to forget this game.
|
|
