v Worcestershire (A) Tue 18th June to Fri 21st June CC

What are you eating in that roll?

Don't tell me Thomason is going to score a century. Put some ham and mustard in that roll, sir.

Plenty of pluck shown by Sussex second time around, and in the end, a deserved draw. Dizzy really needs to sort out that top order though

Lucky to take home 9 points from this game. Thomason playing the get-out-of-jail card to great effect after the top order slumped to 34/4. Another good knock from the skipper and good to see Evans repaying the faith.

Not a lot of options to change the team for the Durham game, looks like Hamza is finished for the season with back problems and Garton continues his rehab. Haines and Rawlins really out of form although Haines got a score for Horsham last week. Maybe Haines for Finch?

Equal second in the table and 20 points below Lancs, 2 wins against arguably the 2 weakest teams coming up would put us in a good position.

I stand corrected, 10 points. 

A trip to Worcester and New Road was to be my third such County Championship away adventure and it was one to very much look forward to. It was my turn to drive which was fine by me. However just 72 hours prior to departure a huge dark cloud shrouded the event as heavy rain fell in the surrounding area. Worcester CCC have had previous experience of this type of issue and were fully prepared for untold gallons of river water to pour onto the pitch, outfield and to lap up against buildings. Even the pretty clubhouse of the Nursery ground stood as an Island. They acted swiftly to A, get as much equipment to higher ground and more importantly enlist the help of Kidderminster CC to play the match. 24 hours later than scheduled.

Having previously booked rooms in a guest house in Worcester Paul and I decided to keep the arrangements and travel on the Monday. After an easy 160-mile drive, we were at the gates of Chester Road and were soon having a wander around what would become our office for the next four days. The ground staff were busy preparing the wicket while officers of the club were stocking up the club house bar and finalising the scene. It looked as pretty as a picture and both Paul and I were excited by the days to come. We then tracked the 13 miles to Worcester and checked into the Barbourne for four nights. I had a charming small room on the top floor with bathroom down the corridor and four brilliant cooked breakfasts all for the princely sum of £30 a night. Before heading to the Postal Order for dinner we had a wander through the town and on to New Road itself. Whilst photos can paint a thousand words it’s not until you seen something firsthand things really do hit home. A horrible scene of a famous cricket ground and seats under water is a very sad sight indeed.


Tuesday morning turned into a chilly old affair with hints of rain around. However, with Sussex batting Paul and I took up positions behind the bowler’s arm at the railway end. It was from that position sitting in our own chairs we were glued to an enthralling match which went the distance. After a slow start for Sussex, where Wayne Parnell seized three quick wickets it was skipper Ben Brown to the rescue with yet another grinding and mature knock 64 not out. By 3pm rain descended from a laden sky bringing the 1st day to a close. At 156 for 6 this represented a comforting discussion over dinner at Green King pub The Talbot.


The weather got progressively better through the week and Wednesday turned out quite nice with some sun breaking through. Sussex added another 70 runs in the morning with Ben (80) and Ollie (38) both batting well. In that last knockings before lunch Ollie steamed in to take two quick wickets as the hosts slumped to 14 for two. However, Ferguson (56) and Wessels (55) led the fight back as the hosts ended to the 262 for 6. In the evening four of us shared a lovely meal at Valentino’s where I choose a very nice spag bowl.


Day three belonged to Laurie Evans who got us out of all sorts of problems with his maiden Sussex County Championship ton. In the morning Worcester turned the screw when skipper Joe Leach scored a wonderful not out half century batting at number ten. The hosts went from 262 for 6 to 383 all out very quickly. That screw was then fully tightened as our top order failed to cope with a pacey attack. The Sussex score faltered on 34 for 4 and looking down a barrel. However, this Sussex squad does have durability in all comps and perceived white ball specialist Evans demonstrated that with an excellent red ball knock. We ended the day 108 ahead with five wickets down.


With the game not for losing day four will be remembered for a mature and sometimes powerful 90 inns from debutant Aaron Thomason. He and tail ender Abi Sakande 5 not out put together a closing stand of 80 runs which took the match into a draw situation. I was very impressed with 21 year old Aaron who showed a lot of maturity and a nice variety of shots during his stay. Perhaps a top order batsman in the making for Sussex. By the time Worcester batted for the 2nd time most of the heat had gone out of the contest and both teams shook hands at 5pm.



Many thanks to Kidderminster CC for stepping up to the plate and producing a wonderful venue over the 4 days. Good luck to Worcester CCC with the clean-up operation at New Road. Thanks to both teams for producing a pulsating match which ebbed and flowed and at points had us on the edge of our seats. A draw is very much in keeping with action on display. My man of the match goes to Ben Brown who keep well but more importantly keep us in the match with two inspirational knocks of 80 and 64. Our skipper is in the form of his life with the bat right now.


Sussex are back in County Championship action at Hove on Monday morning (11pm start).