v Lancashire (A) Fri 23rd July RLODC

Fantastic game. Well played Lancs. So near yet so far Sussex.
Bit deflated at the moment.
The youngsters will learn a lot from this.

How does it go? Hope for the best, expect the worst and take what comes.

I said earlier, I wasn't expecting a win, I just hoped we were competitive and there were some individual performances of note. Well, correct on all three, yet after being in a match winning position with the opposition at 115 for 7 with all their main batters out, it is very difficult not to be hugely disappointed.

Unfortunately, this is always going to be a possibility when you have a young side on a steep learning curve. It would be unfair to be overly critical, as I am sure the experience of the match will in time prove invaluable to the group moving forward.

None of the youngsters let the side down. Some fine individual performances, the two young seamers got us off to a great start, Coles and Ibrahim bowled tidily and Lehham continues to impress. I mentioned Carter had something about him, which he showed and Ibrahim has all the signs of becoming a quality all-rounder. Runs again for Haines and whilst Clark and Ward missed out with the bat, they were both immense in the field. But please, let's have Haines and Orr opening from now on.

Fair play to the two more experieced players, Beer bowled tidily and as always let no one down (should have been bowled out and not taken off for Head) and Head is finally contributing with the bat (although should not be bowling, particularly when we have better front line options). Probably should have brought the seamers back earlier.

Credit to Lancashire, they stuck at it and Lamb and Bailey batted sensibly timing the charge correctly. Although, they must realise they got away with one today. Realistically with such a young inexperienced group, we need to manage our expectations. Hopefully, even if results don't go our way, we will continue to be competitive for the remainder of the competition. Salisbury and Kirtley will need to do a lot to lift the team ahead of the next match.

One thing this afternoon's match proved is we don't need The Hundred to be entertained.

We were going great until I tuned in - sorry.

Should have won of course but competitive? You betchya sweet arse. Would have been interesting to see the last ten overs with Atkins, Hunt and Carson in the mix, which will happen presumably. We have so much young talent we can even rotate our young talent. Ward was a beast in the field from what I saw, stick with him. Orr can play a part too.

No problemo.