v Leicestershire (A) Sun 12 Sep to Wed 15 Sep 2021 CC

You almost feel sorry for Salisbury. He even has to quote from the Dalai Lama.
Salisbury has a plan, he says, but is it a cunning plan?

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09w2b50

Thanks Ash, should have checked before dismissing Leicestershire's credentials.  My only defence is I travelled all the way up from the West Country to Grace Road for the County Championship fixture in 2016 to watch Days two and three.  Hotels, parking everything arranged and paid for in advance.  In typical unpredictable Sussex fashion, we finished them off by the close on the second day winning by an innings and 59 runs.  Ollie Robinson starred with the BAT!!  Happier days, but also my memory of Leicestershire being one of the weaker Counties.

Well we got the Salisbury after match interview and it went pretty much along the lines anticipated, although I didn't foresee a reference to the Dalai Lama.  In his favour, I do feel for anyone having to give an interview immediately following a disappointing performance when emotions must be running high, although he sounded completely shell shocked and deflated by it all.

His comment, however 'A loss is never a loss when you learn from it' is pathetic.  Not according to any of the League Tables I look at or when it comes to handing out the prize money at the end of the season, where I understand we will be one of only four Counties who receive nothing!!  Applying, Mr Salisbury's logic if gaining knowledge is a consequence of a loss, we must be the most intelligent County in First Class Cricket with a learning curve almost vertical on the chart.

Still no apology to supporters and members for the abject performances over the last three fixtures.  Naturally reference to T20 Finals Day in an attempt to deflect attention away from this latest capitulation.

I am not interested in 18 Counties competing for just three Trophies Mr S, I just want the team I support and follow when I can (some considerable distances I would point out) to compete, give a good account of itself and produce a better set of results than what we have seen since the start of last season when in red ball cricket we have won just twice in 18 games and lost 12 times and are effectively the worst red ball team within the First Class structure!!  At this moment in time, I would even settle for mid table mediocrity.

I just hope he understands what a big ask it is of Members and Supporters to 'Keep the faith' on the back of what we are witnessing week in week out.  At least give us a shred of something to cling onto, preferably starting next week by putting out a strong team and winning against a Derbyshire side that have not won all season (but still have more points than us!!).