CC v Glamorgan Jun 25-28th June 2023

Just 7 overs left. The last wicket. This is
agonising. Can Sussex actually get the 
draw?

Well played Carter and Shipley!

8 points from the game and still undefeated.

Outstanding effort from Carter, well supported by Shipley. I had long since written off any prospect of coming away with a draw. Only time will tell how valuable those extra five points will be come the final table at the end of the season.

But how did we find ourselves in that position? Whilst others may disagree, a really inexplicable approach from Sussex today. I appreciate the need to turn draws into wins and in order to do that risks have to be taken. However, on that wicket in those conditions with the prospect of inclement weather and what had preceded on the previous three days, we were never going to chase down a total of 359.

Perhaps, the events of the Worcestershire match have impacted our thinking. But there is a big difference between positive, aggressive calculated risk taking in contrast to being naive, reckless and unrealistic.

Shot selection at times was mystifying. Attempted lofts over the in field, dances down the wicket, reverse sweeps and unnecessary quick singles, not forgetting changes in the batting order. At times, it was difficult to understand what I was watching.

Whether we just didn't believe we are capable or didn't have the know how to bat out the overs is debatable. At times, in the longer version of the game, you just have to accept the situation and do just that.

In a tight division where wins have been extremely rare, with the approach taken we effectively ran the risk of gift wrapping 16 points to a promotion rival.

I could have understood it if we were at the very end of the season, but with six games still to play including four of those against the current bottom three, today was not the day.

Carter and Shipley produced a minor cricketing miracle and hats off to them.
We were rubbish for most of the last three days though and it was all over the place at times today.
Peak muddled thinking was Dan Ibrahim’s innings.
He didn’t know whether to push on or hold firm, and ended up doing stupid things. 
He’s very talented but I fear for his confidence now. 
Alsop has batted responsibly as captain, but I’m not convinced he’s a natural leader or has tactical nous…..and I whisper it quietly but I’m not convinced by Pujara as captain either. 

Carter is looking better and better. I particularly like his versatility and his ability to be seemingly unflappable. Haines has disappointed, based on previous seasons. He seems to get himself out too often for an opener this year and, to some extent, last year. However, he is not the finished article and has time to get on course. Pujara was missed in this game when batting was tough. We had Pujara and Smith at home to Glamorgan and neither away. If only, the fixture list had reversed these games. Still, we are becoming no pushovers which matters in any sport. Let’s hope we stuff Derbyshire.