Post by longstop on Aug 4, 2018 15:27:15 GMT
T20 games are so different to 4-day games. 4-days games unfold gradually and, whilst they have twists and turns, there’s enough time for each player to perform well in some way usually. When it comes to T20, it unfolds over the course of an evening, but there is no time for mistakes to be rectified and players are heroes or villains. The results too tend to be good or bad with not much in between. And so, after a horrible defeat to Gloucestershire, Sussex bounced back with very good, professional win at Lords. At least, I thought so.
So, what awaits when Somerset come to town on Sunday? Somerset have won six of their nine games with the other three all resulting in defeats. Two of their three defeats have come in games of 10 and 11 overs, which suggests that Somerset are a force to be reckoned with. They have won three games in the last week with victories over Middlesex, Hampshire and Essex which has lifted them to second place in the table behind Kent.
The strike rate of regular run scorers, Corey Anderson, Lewis Gregory and Johann Myburgh, is above 170 and they have two other batsmen who have scored over 150 runs in the competition this year. With the ball, Jamie Overton has been the outstanding bowler with 11 wickets although he has conceded over 10 per over. If you stare at the averages long enough, you get the feeling that Sussex need to post a decent score.
Earlier this season, Sussex won a 50-over game convincingly at Taunton when Luke Wright scored a classy 100, but they might not count for much on Sunday at Hove. Last season’s T20 game took place at Taunton in a rain affected 8 over match. Somerset scored 102 for 3 but Sussex fell well short with 71 for 4 in reply – Stiaan van Zyl scored 42 not out in 22 balls could not find a partner to stay with him.
With the bottom three teams, Hampshire, Essex and Middlesex falling away in the race for the top four spots, it looks as though it will be a close finish for qualification to the knock out stage. Sussex could end Sunday in anywhere from 2nd to 6th place, so a win is important, particularly with a tough week ahead with games against Surrey and Kent on Thursday and Friday.
As for team selection, I wonder if there is a place for Mills even if he is fit. Rawlins acquitted himself well at Lords and arguably deserves to retain his place. Will it be our first T20 home win of the season? We will see.
So, what awaits when Somerset come to town on Sunday? Somerset have won six of their nine games with the other three all resulting in defeats. Two of their three defeats have come in games of 10 and 11 overs, which suggests that Somerset are a force to be reckoned with. They have won three games in the last week with victories over Middlesex, Hampshire and Essex which has lifted them to second place in the table behind Kent.
The strike rate of regular run scorers, Corey Anderson, Lewis Gregory and Johann Myburgh, is above 170 and they have two other batsmen who have scored over 150 runs in the competition this year. With the ball, Jamie Overton has been the outstanding bowler with 11 wickets although he has conceded over 10 per over. If you stare at the averages long enough, you get the feeling that Sussex need to post a decent score.
Earlier this season, Sussex won a 50-over game convincingly at Taunton when Luke Wright scored a classy 100, but they might not count for much on Sunday at Hove. Last season’s T20 game took place at Taunton in a rain affected 8 over match. Somerset scored 102 for 3 but Sussex fell well short with 71 for 4 in reply – Stiaan van Zyl scored 42 not out in 22 balls could not find a partner to stay with him.
With the bottom three teams, Hampshire, Essex and Middlesex falling away in the race for the top four spots, it looks as though it will be a close finish for qualification to the knock out stage. Sussex could end Sunday in anywhere from 2nd to 6th place, so a win is important, particularly with a tough week ahead with games against Surrey and Kent on Thursday and Friday.
As for team selection, I wonder if there is a place for Mills even if he is fit. Rawlins acquitted himself well at Lords and arguably deserves to retain his place. Will it be our first T20 home win of the season? We will see.
