Post by longstop on Sept 5, 2020 14:00:24 GMT
It's the fifth and final game of the Bob Willis Trophy for Sussex at The Oval starting on Sunday. After a promising start in the competition with a win over Hampshire, Sussex have lost three games on the bounce. Surrey have had an even tougher time with four straight defeats. Consequently, both teams are condemned to the bottom two places of the Southern Group with the prize no more than avoiding the wooden spoon.
Sussex and Surrey can claim to have had their teams weakened by England call-ups and missing overseas players, but both teams have struggled having had to field inexperienced teams. Surrey suffered sizeable defeats to Middlesex, Essex and Hampshire, although, in their last game, they only lost to Kent by 17 runs in a tight finish.
Surrey's batting has been the main problem as they have only passed 250 on two occasions in the four games they have played. Ben Foakes scored 118 and 57 in the game against Kent, but Surrey's batting has recorded some disappointing totals including a total of 74 against Hampshire. In the bowling department, Rikki Clarke has picked up 13 wickets, including a fifer and Daniel Moriarty claimed a fifer in the close game against Kent.
Although Sussex and Surrey have had some exciting T20 encounters, it is seven years since they have faced each other in a red ball game. Both games ended in stalemates in that season. At The Oval, Luke Wells scored a double century as Sussex amassed 526, but Surrey were able to play out the draw. In the return at Arundel, Sussex were able to rescue a draw thanks to a century by Chris Nash in the second innings. Monty Panesar grabbed five wickets for Sussex, but Surrey were able to declare on 456 for 9.
Aside from the big defeat at Canterbury, the inexperienced Sussex team has, arguably, performed better than expected, although the batting has looked vulnerable in every game. Can Sussex end this shortened red ball season with a win against First Division County Championship opposition? We will just have to wait and see.
Sussex and Surrey can claim to have had their teams weakened by England call-ups and missing overseas players, but both teams have struggled having had to field inexperienced teams. Surrey suffered sizeable defeats to Middlesex, Essex and Hampshire, although, in their last game, they only lost to Kent by 17 runs in a tight finish.
Surrey's batting has been the main problem as they have only passed 250 on two occasions in the four games they have played. Ben Foakes scored 118 and 57 in the game against Kent, but Surrey's batting has recorded some disappointing totals including a total of 74 against Hampshire. In the bowling department, Rikki Clarke has picked up 13 wickets, including a fifer and Daniel Moriarty claimed a fifer in the close game against Kent.
Although Sussex and Surrey have had some exciting T20 encounters, it is seven years since they have faced each other in a red ball game. Both games ended in stalemates in that season. At The Oval, Luke Wells scored a double century as Sussex amassed 526, but Surrey were able to play out the draw. In the return at Arundel, Sussex were able to rescue a draw thanks to a century by Chris Nash in the second innings. Monty Panesar grabbed five wickets for Sussex, but Surrey were able to declare on 456 for 9.
Aside from the big defeat at Canterbury, the inexperienced Sussex team has, arguably, performed better than expected, although the batting has looked vulnerable in every game. Can Sussex end this shortened red ball season with a win against First Division County Championship opposition? We will just have to wait and see.
