The Wicked Cricket Column

lb,

It is just a suggestion. The cost of hiring a freelancer would be a helluva lot cheaper than employing two media officers. The Sussex
Cricket Foundation is a great idea, in my book, where a majority of their money comes from ECB grants etc.. but they do need a media
officer to cover the many different aspects of their charitable work.  

What interests me is how Rob Andrew may move forward financially. Now, the £1.3m a year is definitely coming from the CBT starting
2020, perhaps, moving in to debt short term is an option? In the history of the county game there can't be many clubs who have been
as fortunate as Sussex with their £10.5m Spen Cama legacy. Perhaps, now is the time to carry out what every other Tom, Dick and Harry
in England seems to be doing. 

UK debt next year will hit £1.83 trillion! Where since the 2008 crash this has doubled to 80% of GDP. 

www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/uk_national_debt_chart.html

The average household had unsecured debts amounting to £13,200 at the end of 2016, just below the £13,300 level at the end of 2008, on
the eve of the credit crunch. Analysts at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) expect that will rise to £13,900 by the end of this year, £14,300
next year, and keep on rising to £15,400 by the end of 2021. The BOE showed households racked up an extra £1.6bn in consumer debts in
March alone this year. A vicious circle because as wage growth remains stagnant and people wish to continue on their quality of life, so
borrowings increase and savings fall to record lows.

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/05/24/household-debt-hit-record-high-credit-card-spluge-adds/

Meanwhile, bankruptcies increase year-on-year and new car sales is the latest expression of subprime borrowing including new top
end marques being offered to unemployed people on 0% finance. They reckon if this market went belly-up tomorrow, £28bn would
be lost.

So, Sussex join the spendfest party and get debting! 

The Downs, Downs and Ups of Sarah Taylor
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Sarah Taylor is an inspiration to anyone, male or female, who suffers from anxiety and depression. Not only did she dig deep and find the courage during the last 16 months to face up to her demons but Sarah conquered them with such panache that her reward was helping the England Women’s Cricket team to win the ICC World Cup on Sunday in front of a packed Lord’s. Her story of mental grit, perseverance and determination is extraordinary.


(pic: The Telegraph)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Taylor_(cricketer)

After deciding to step down from cricket during the Spring of 2016, her explanation was honest and up front. “My anxiety at its worst is a panic attack. It comes on as I am about to bat. My heart races, I feel faint. There were times when I had to run off the pitch into the dressing room to be sick.”

To “fix herself”, Taylor chose Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); a talking regime where learning to change thought patterns and identifying trigger points is key. Taylor explains: “I have a mental injury and it’s a case of healing this injury just as you would with a physical one.” She continues: “It’s OK to go through something like this. I view it as a learning journey; but it is vital to gain support, as it’s not OK to suffer in silence.”

www.thecricketer.com/mind-matters-in-cricket-.aspx

In May, after choosing to return to cricket and the England fold she said on camera, “It’s been a tough 12 months… where getting out of bed was often my highlight of the day. But a lot’s been learnt and I am back and comfortable with playing cricket again.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xmbqW40qmk

Following her Twitter during that period was insightful and at times even a little bizarre. Here was a top woman cricketer whom during her sporting career had been showered with awards, trophies and praise, yet was finding it difficult to leave her home and interact with the outside world. Each day was a challenge and on occasions she would tell her 70,000 followers of such recent endeavours. “I found myself in a crowd. I coped!” and “I had to talk to a group of strangers today. I dealt with it!” being typical examples. It was difficult to fathom how low Taylor’s emotional state had dropped. How her confidence had ebbed away to point zero. Yet, she kept going, never putting herself down or beating herself up for such perceived weaknesses. After deciding to rejoin the England fold, she said in her usual honest way, “Social anxiety is still a common occurrence but I have learnt strategies to cope with it. This discomfort can randomly occur but I push through such challenges. I accept them now and am proud of myself for coping. I have learnt to accept it as a bad day and tomorrow will be a better one.”


(pic: Tom Jenkins)

www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2017/07/22/england-wicketkeeper-sarah-taylor-wins-battle-anxiety-inspire/

On returning to the England side she made an immediate impact and with Mark Robinson as Coach, who had gained valuable experience when at Sussex dealing with the mental ups and downs of Michael Yardy, Taylor had an ally who understood her difficulties. And what a tournament she had including stumping South Africa’s Trisha Chetty whom many agree is one of the tournament’s highlights, whilst scoring 45 runs in the Final to help England win the World Cup.

www.icc-cricket.com/womens-world-cup/video/439529

Throughout Taylor’s 16 months of challenges her work for the PCA and their mental health programme has been inspiring too. Jason Ratcliffe, former Head of the PCA Members Services, who established a powerful mental health programme for cricketers, says: “The PCA are determined to help end the taboo surrounding mental health. The more cricketers speak openly about it the more this stigma diminishes. The global problem is so massive now we have little choice.”

Well done Sarah. You’ve made humanity proud.

twitter.com/Sarah_Taylor30?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Brilliant! The BBC at their best.

TMS are celebrating 60 years. Nostalgic and at times very funny with plenty of emails and
letters of thanks from the hordes of listeners including famous politicians and celebrities. Well
worth a click on the links.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40052118

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p059p55n

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p059l3yy

Sussex v Middlesex T20: Friday Evening: July 28th
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After last night's damp squib the optimist may say Sussex are now unbeaten after 5 matches and gathered 6 points. The realist could point out those 5 games read: One win, three abandonments, and one rain-affected tie.

We had a flaming June but now a rain-drenched July which illustrates the danger of grouping all the T20 matches together into one window. The weather is making a nonsense of this year’s ‘Blast’ competition and there is sodden all the ECB can do about it.

Off the field it was altogether a lot brighter. Local musician, singer and guitarist Christian Cooley was playing a 50 minute set opposite the club shop primarily of his own compositions. What a soulful and lyrical voice. Listen to his songs here.

soundcloud.com/christiancooley

Alan and Angie Locke



Close by were Club volunteers, Alan and Angie Locke, manning the programme stall. "We sell them at all the home T20 games," explained Alan. "At a cost of £3, a price which includes a scorecard, they’re always popular."

In the Pavilion area Rob Andrew was talking to No.1 Sussex fan Brenda Lower. "What do you reckon of him?" I smiled as I looked at Rob. "We've got a good 'un here," she grinned. "He's great.”

“So, no box of balls tonight?” I queried. "I am not allowed to," Brenda explained. "The flame boxes are in my way and deemed too dangerous to pass.” That’s health and safety for you!

Sam Keir



Elsewhere, I met the new Sussex CCC media officer. His name is Sam Keir and this was only his second day on the job. Sam hails from a varied career background including being a marketing and comms exec for 'Human Race' - a company that specialises in mass participation sports events; a stint attempting to achieve a freelance living out of cycling and cricket journalism; and before that as a shipping analyst for a broker firm. He has supported Sussex since a boy and was brought up near Billingshurst in West Sussex. Sam loves cricket and can't wait to embrace the new appointment. He wryly smiled, "I may have a few first night nerves" as his head was burrowed in a computer typing up the social media. A score for his debut. 10/10.

Alongside him was another Lock, Johnny, from Coventry University who is gaining work experience and has joined the club media staff for a few T20 matches. I mused, "You may well be teaching each other the ropes tonight!”

The enormous SKY pantechnicon which transports and holds the Video Board



The SKY Sports presence dominated Hove as usual and commentators on this occasion were Nick Knight, Rob Key and Paul Allott alongside England Women's opening bat, Tammy Beaumont, fresh from her World Cup success on Sunday. SKY aficionados reckon Tammy has a potential media career after retiring.

There was one truly chilling moment during the evening away from the rain which really brought home the fear and mayhem that has recently gripped the country. Three Policemen holding what looked like AK-47 Kalashnikov automatic rifles stood on guard outside the front gate. One I spoke to who wished to remain nameless explained this was now common-place at events where crowds gathered. "If we could predict terrorist attacks we wouldn't need to be here," he matter of factly stated. It was difficult to know whether to feel safer or more afraid.

The Future



On the field, praise to the umpires who kept the game going through moderate rainfall, although the cynic might argue that without the SKY presence, the umps might not have been so cavalier. In the end though, rain won over the evening rather than cricket. How often have we seen that recently on a night when five out of seven T20 matches succumbed. It is all becoming rather boring.

The ‘Blast’ Table

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/english-twenty20/table

Ct,

I view it more as a deterrent. This Daily Mirror feature from last month explains that since the Manchester outrage, armed police have 
patrolled everywhere from Royal Ascot, the Stonehenge Summer Solstice and Glastonbury Festival to Scun-thorpe High Street!

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/armed-police-britain-lockdown-guns-10660774

I live in Brighton and for awhile now, I have considered the City to be a soft target particularly given its high gay population. I would
not be surprised if there is a strong armed police presence surrounding the 'Gay Pride' next weekend.

Sadly, I see this deterrent as being the norm which is not only a drain on the British police force but on taxpayers too. I don't see any other
way. Even so, I was shocked to see them at the cricket match last night. I have no idea whether there was a police presence at the back
gate.

The loss of a county game this season does seem to make a big difference. I was away on business for the first home game and will be away for the last game. It seems to me as though the season has only just started. Fortunately, I have found time to go to Colwyn Bay so that I get a bit more of my cricket fix this season.

IS MARK ROBINSON BEING GROOMED TO BECOME ENGLAND MEN'S HEAD CRICKET COACH?
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It appears the BBC website have a scoop stating that Mark Robinson is to join up with the England Men's Coaching staff for the 4th
Test at Old Trafford this week. Either that or the National papers didn't feel the story warranted column inches.



www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40783183

The journalist, Stephan Shemilt, is a sports freelance who, judging by his Twitter, has been the go-to-man for covering England Women's
cricket of late. Below is a recent feature celebrating the World Cup success.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40783183

Poster rsj gleefully pointed out last week that certain past posts on this Forum were either too cynical or too disparaging about Mark Robinson's
chances of success coaching the England Women's Team; where to the delight of 'Robbo Fans' such cynicism was proven wrong some 10 days ago.

Having spoken to Robinson on various occasions when Sussex Coach, even once joining him for a curry, I never fully shared such views. Like most Sussex
fans, I am delighted for his recent success, especially when he began his coaching campaign so controversially by sacking the then Captain, Charlotte
Edwards, whilst personally haranguing the side after the semi-final defeat to Australia during the recent World T20 in India, stating they needed to “get
fitter” and “toughen up a little bit”. 

His invite to join the England Men's side is full of intrigue. 

We know the ECB are desperate to secure an English Coach, whom ideally, has come through the County ranks. They tried with Peter Moores...
twice, but each time are then forced to return to overseas applicants. Is Mark Robinson, perhaps, now on their radar? He has never been shy to
publicly state he would like to become England Men's Coach. But is the gulf between Women's and Men's cricket just too great a leap? And, was it
he who tipped off Shemilt about the story?

Meanwhile, as Robbo bathes in his present glory could he not help Sussex out by offering advice to Mark Davis? It surprises me how often Robinson returns
to the Hove ground to either watch matches or meet up with old friends. Perhaps, he is helping out already? For, the gulf between the two Marks is vast,
where experience and the understanding of how to create momentum and team success is now part of the Robbo DNA and could possibly be rubbed off
on Davis.

Anyway, intrigue is all it is for now.