v Surrey (H) Fri 26th July T20

After a fairly convincing win over Hampshire, Sussex host their second T20 game in three days as the Surrey team comes to Hove. The Surrey team has started with two defeats at the hands of Middlesex and Essex and play their third game the night before the encounter with Sussex. Their problem in the first two games has been conceding big totals as Middlesex posted a score of 209 in 20 overs and Essex 226 in just 15 overs. Surrey’s own scores have both in the 170s – what you might call a decent T20 score.

Maybe, Surrey have been unlucky to find batsmen in form as Dawid Malan of Middlesex and Cameron Delport of Essex both struck centuries at more than 2 runs per ball or 200 runs per 100 balls, if you prefer (or, indeed, 70 runs per 35 balls). Surrey face Glamorgan on the eve of the Sussex game and a defeat in that game would mean that Surrey are going to find it hard to qualify for the next phase of the competition despite their undoubted talents.

The games against Surrey last season resulted in a comfortable win for Surrey at Hove and a frustrating result at The Oval. At Hove, Surrey posted a score of 192 for 3 thanks largely to a century by Aaron Finch. Sussex fell well short in their run chase losing by 52 runs. At The Oval, though, it was a different story. Rain halted play with Sussex on 159 for 2 from just 13 overs of a game scheduled for 15 overs. Luke Wright, Phil Salt, Laurie Evans and Delray Rawlins all contributed to a decent score in vain.

Having taken three points from Hampshire, Sussex will be looking to keep among the front runners of the Southern Group in the T20 Blast. Much may depend on the top order batsmen, but without Archer and Jordan, restricting Surrey will be just as important. A second home win in 48 hours? We will see.

Met Office currently forecasting a damp evening:

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcpchhy5p#?date=2019-07-26

Met Office now going for rain at midnight, but BBC continues to forecast showers at 9

Don't really see how that was a pathetic last over in all honesty. Fault more lies on Briggs for not being able to bowl his quota.

Captaincy from Wright was spot on and the main strike bowlers needed to be brought on to take wickets.

It was a tricky surface though we were 10-15 runs shy of a good total. 4 points from 3 games is fine. I hope it doesn't come back to bite us. A win on Sunday in Taunton will put us in a good position.

T20 is all ifs and buts.

I thought it was Surrey's point to lose, but all credit to the Sussex bowlers for defending what
many would suggest was an under-par score. Perhaps, 160 runs is averagely competitive today.

Even so, Wright's innings (76*) showed maturity, patience and aptitude where he led from the
front and without him 144 could so easily have been 80 all out.

Mills had an outstanding 4 overs (2-16), one of the best from him for quite awhile, as no doubt
the presence of Topley has sharpened his resolve.

PS: Great to see Archer back in a Sharks shirt, not only getting a warm welcome, but in pre-
match practise showed the home fans that he can quite easily bowl left arm medium. How far and
deep does this man's talent stretch?! 

Unlucky. Or lucky, whichever it was. Good game good game. Seems like Wright backed himself into a corner for the last over but it may have been over earlier if he hadn't.

We should have Carey now, massive improvement in the middle order there. It's too weak as it is, everybody's a place too high. We're good but we could be better if we bring in a batter as well as Carey. Rawlins can do Briggs' job, or share it with the man I'd bring in, Haines. Last year Beer was the man who benefitting from bowling with Khan, dunno where that went. I know we like all these bowling options but last night showed what a detriment it can be. Maybe Carey for Brown will suffice but then from seven we have nothing really, especially 9, 10, jack.