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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 16, 2017 7:31:03 GMT
Another brutally honest interview from Ben Brown. Once again, Adrian Harms asks the excellent questions. Sussex's performances this season are becoming like a scratched record. Shouldn't brutal honesty bring about change?Harms says after Wiese is caught and Derbyshire win the game, "(Sussex) have conspired to throw it away." Yep, their last 7 wickets in the second innings falling for 77 runs. Then Brown faces the music from the BBC Radio commentator and there is no ducking or diving. "We lost the game in the first two days.""We were not good enough.""Repeating the same mistakes.""We are losing the key moments..."So, both the Captain and side know their problems. They repeat the same ones over and over. Yet, are unable to rectify them. Why? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05g7bsj
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Post by flashblade on Sept 16, 2017 8:22:15 GMT
Another brutally honest interview from Ben Brown. Once again, Adrian Harms asks the excellent questions. Sussex's performances this season are becoming like a scratched record. Shouldn't brutal honesty bring about change?Harms says after Wiese is caught and Derbyshire win the game, "(Sussex) have conspired to throw it away." Yep, their last 7 wickets in the second innings falling for 77 runs. Then Brown faces the music from the BBC Radio commentator and there is no ducking or diving. "We lost the game in the first two days.""We were not good enough.""Repeating the same mistakes.""We are losing the key moments..."So, both the Captain and side know their problems. They repeat the same ones over and over. Yet, are unable to rectify them. Why? www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05g7bsjVery revealing, I thought. BTW, fluffy - shouldn't this post be on the match thread?
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Post by jonboy on Sept 16, 2017 9:04:00 GMT
Hmm, so he put them in, the right decision, but we just didn't bowl well early on. Yet he considers their first innings score under par?? Do counties really see Sussex as a big scalp?
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 16, 2017 9:04:02 GMT
Fb, I was treating this Ben Brown interview as a more general overview of the difficulties faced by Sussex during the season rather than specifically to do with the Derbyshire match; but sure, if the Mod transfers the post to the Derbyshire thread that's fine by me. Having spoken to Sussex supporters throughout the season from every corner and aspect of the club, there is a unified agreement. The heart of the problem is the coaching. I also heard a rumour yesterday that Assistant Coach, Jon Lewis, has applied for an England fast bowling Coaching job. Here it is: ecb.ciphr-irecruit.com/templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_299.aspxPS: If by chance Jon does get the job then Sussex have an obvious replacement with Steve Magoffin. Although the chant of 'jobs for the boys' may echo loudly around the County ground.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 16, 2017 13:00:45 GMT
Sussex CCC are advertising two exciting jobs on their website. One is for a social media and Communications Assistant to work alongside the club's new media officer, Sam Keir, who is settling in extremely well. The other is for a Street-Cricket Officer. Seeking a social media specialist is another sign of the club's determination to become 100% online savvy and to revolutionise the comms side of the club and keep up with the fast moving and changing nature of modern media. Facebook, Twitter and Youtube is now old hat. Roll on Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, QZone and Pinterest alongside the increasing development of Apps with mobile phones as the future of marketing and commerce. It is easy to be a little cynical and suggest the job is ideal for a young techno-geek fresh out of College whose expertise on all things computers and software programming will be like duck to water for them. The job also entails assisting with video-making, and knowledge of the editing and post production skills as well as the usual organisational abilities and writing dexterity. Good luck to anyone over the age of 30 years-old who applies. Meanwhile, the job for a Street-Cricket Officer should appeal to a wider age group. Street-Cricket has come along in leaps and bounds over the last 5 years and is becoming for many the primary way of being introduced to the sport. Under the umbrella of the 'Sussex Cricket Foundation', the advert states, "We are looking to appoint somebody who can demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm and commitment to working with young people from socially-deprived backgrounds... it is essential that the person appointed has a proven successful track record of devising and delivering cricket activities for young people, and can demonstrate an ability to manage, support, and professionally develop the coaches who will be delivering the Street Cricket sessions." Both jobs come with a competitive salary and are part of the club roll out of a 4 year strategic plan. www.sussexcricket.co.uk/jobs-with-sussex____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please send your CV to Kay Gunn, Head of HR & Client Services at recruitment@sussexcricket.co.uk . Closing date for applications: 29 September 2017.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 18, 2017 11:06:00 GMT
There is nothing like a sumptuous serendipitous story and I was told such a tale last week concerning the recently published mini-tome from the Sussex CCC Museum. Entitled ‘Sussex Martlets CC 1905-2016 - A Miscellany’, I reviewed it for this Blog. Limited to just 100 copies, in its first few weeks of release, the booklet has sold close to 80 copies which is quite a feat. unofficialsussexccc.freeforums.net/post/26604/threadPhil Barnes and Peter HartlandAnyway, the serendipitous part. Museum Trustee and Volunteer, Phil Barnes, who helped choose and tackle the photos alongside his keyboard warrior skills of visually bringing the booklet together, had spent many an email and an occasional phone call liaising with the mini-tome’s researcher and author, Peter Hartland. Neither had met but coherent scribing was all that was required. Peter’s knowledge of the Martlet’s history is labyrinthian and after posting his work online, the museum read it and decided this was worthy of a booklet. Meanwhile, Phil plays a touch of occasional ball and willow for the Sussex side ‘WG Gracefully’. Their ground lies in the picturesque village of Isfield located between Lewes and Uckfield. A recent Sunday saw them matched against Lingfield in a home 40 over friendly. After the opposition raced to 200+ runs with only a few wickets down, in marched Phil, fresh from a bowling spell and excited about the impending tea. Entering the pavilion he felt a touch on his shoulder and a voice saying, “Hello, I am Peter.” Who should it be but Peter Hartland. Neither realised they were playing on the opposing sides and this was the very first time they had met. “It was an extraordinary moment, “ says Phil. “To realise this was the person I’d been communicating with over the last six months.” There is no photograph of Peter in the booklet. After an enthusiastic chat, both looked forward to facing each other in the second innings but sadly torrential rain washed out the game.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 19, 2017 8:00:03 GMT
7 Cricket Hubs, 42 Teams, 6 Players a Side, 5 Overs, 6 Specialist Rules, 8 Finalists, 8 Umpires, 2 QF Groups, 12 matches, a Semi-Final, Final, 1 Trophy and… (a Partridge in a Pear Tree) ________________________________________________________________________________________ The Sussex Cricket Foundation (SCF) are full steam ahead in administering their vision of encouraging cricket around Sussex and attracting the 250 sides or more who regularly play during the Summer to merge under the umbrella of Sussex CCC and their recent all encompassing name Sussex Cricket. One of the first objectives was to implement a new 6 a-side Tournament which is proving already to be a great success. Launched in 2016, the SCF managed to attract 2 Sussex cricket hubs and 12 teams for their competition. This year due to its immediate popularity and through ‘word of mouth’ this has quickly expanded to 7 hubs and 42 teams. And given that there are tracts of the county both East and West which are untouched, there is every likelihood this tournament could expand further next year to 60 or more sides. Creators of the 'Sixes Cup' specialist rules: Ivor Webb, Neil Miller, Brian JefferiesSunday was the BIG Finals day and fair weather smiled over the County ground. 8 teams vied in an initial QF qualifying round via two groups of 4 and 12 games in total; then the two top teams from each played in a semi and the two winners a Final. BackgroundThe 7 cricket hubs involved were: West Chiltington, Henfield, Glynde, Heathfield Park, Crawley Eagles, St Peters and West Wittering. Each hub put forward 6 teams = 42 different sides. This was whittled down through the season to the final 8 qualifiers. These teams were: Henfield, Little Common Ramblers, Preston Park, Ifield, West Chiltington & Thakeham, Pagham, Glynde & Beddingham and Broadbridge Heath. Finals DayI popped up to the County ground to watch a couple of hours of the afternoon’s play, this being the first time I had attended six-a-side cricket at Hove. It was strange but fun. To see just 4 fielders patrol the entire outfield is pretty weird. There were so many massive holes in the field this was a batsman’s paradise where the bowlers were little more than cannon fodder. RegulationsI had the great fortune of meeting and talking to the man who created the specialist rules for this tournament. His name is Ivor Webb, whom along with colleagues, Neil Miller and Brian Jefferies, came up with the ideas after the SCF had approached them. They are:- : Each side plays 5 overs.: A wide constitutes 3 runs. : No extra ball is bowled except after a wide in the 5th over.: A batsman must retire after scoring 25 runs.: He is permitted to return if 4 wickets are down before the end of the 5th over.: Each side member must bowl an over except for the keeper.: Usual Cricket rules then apply.“Our thinking was to get everyone involved,” explained Ivor. “And not just be there to make up the numbers.” And what of today? He smiled, “It’s a thrill to watch our vision unfold and see everyone enjoying themselves.” Ivor, now retired from the police force, explained 6-a-side cricket has been around since the 1960s. He remembers playing it as a young man. One reason for the tournament’s immediate success is what the County ground has to offer for a Sunday cricketer if their team reaches Finals Day. : Playing at the Sussex CCC ground.: Your name on the Scoreboard.: Mike Charman and Paul Elford announcing your name over the PA and scoring for 12 hours without a break.: Playing under floodlights if your team reaches the semis.One side I watched in the qualifiers were Pagham. With batsmen built like oxen, they were thumping the ball to all parts including regularly hitting the pavilion roof. In their first innings, the players scored a record 75 runs for the day from 5 overs. And then in their next qualifying match promptly beat this by thrashing 86. The Victorious West Chiltington & Thakeham Who Retained the SCF 'Sixes Cup'
www.westchiltingtonandthakehamcc.co.uk/golfday2016.htmltwitter.com/WCTCCResultsSemi-finalists: Ifield v West Chiltington & Thakeham and Henfield v Pagham.Finalists: West Chiltington & Thakeham v Pagham Winner: West Chiltington & Thakeham. After some smart bowling West Chiltington & Thakeham retained the ‘Sixes Cup’. During the day a few lucky juniors were coached by SCF staff plus Jofra Archer and Abi Sakande. There was also a mascot race against Sid the Shark which was won by Ifield CC. Meanwhile, I briefly spoke to some of the top Sussex hierarchy who were in attendance. They included John Abbott and Rob Andrew. A quick comment. It is warming to see Andrew fully embracing his role as Sussex Cricket CEO and travelling down from South-West London on a Sunday to be at Finals Day. He even helped find a lost cricket ball; one that had crashed on to the Boardroom’s roof. He’s enjoying himself at Sussex. May it continue.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 25, 2017 18:06:59 GMT
What's Green and Striped? The 'Village Greenies' ________________________________________________________________
Every year the final home Championship match of the season draws the dignitaries to Hove and this year is no different. On Monday, the Pavilion hosted such esteemed former Sussex associates as CEO Dave Brooks, Player and Club Vice-Chairman Alan Wadey and Sussex legend John Snow; but amidst their presence were two retired gentlemen wearing bright green and striped cricket blazers. Tim Haddleston and Ivan BurgesThey were Tim Haddleston and Ivan Burges. What makes them unusual is both have lived in the Cayman Islands since the late 1970s and both are members of a cricket club called 'The Village Greenies'. Ivan explains, "The club used to be called the 'Carlsberg Cavaliers' but changed its name to the 'Village Greenies' in 1978. There are only 60,000 people living in the Caymans of whom just 300 play cricket, so the club is quite small." villagegreenies.hitscricket.com/default.aspxIvan went on to say that the island has an international side and five of the Greenies team have played for them. "Tim and I have flown over to England to watch a few of the West Indies ODI games," he continued. "And as we've been staying at my property in Worthing, we decided to visit Hove today and watch this Championship match." Meanwhile, it is good to hear that the Cayman Islands have been unaffected by the recent hurricanes.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2017 12:42:41 GMT
While walking around the Southern part of the Hove ground yesterday, one asked the question: Why wasn’t the obvious done before? The obvious being the bookstall formerly manned by Neil Beck and now Jon Filby can be found during the Notts match in a perfect location close to the South West Stand. For those who frequent the T20 games, this is a beer, lager and food sales outlet; yet, the area is also ideal to display cricket memorabilia and, not surprisingly, Jon is delighted with his new home. Pity this is the last match of the season. Before, Jon had to set up various tables on the North East Bank. Open to the elements, if it rained or the wind howled, measures had to be taken to protect the items. The new area is inside, still has an excellent view of the cricket, where only a few tables are required due to the already built surfaces, and can be shut up at the end of the day. Items for sale included an excellent range of Wisdens along with the usual eclectic display of books, pictures and prints. For the first time, the new 'Record Breaking Series' booklet release from the Sussex CCC Museum on Harry Finch and his recent 5 catches in one innings was fresh from the printers and includes an original signature. This mini-tome is on sale for £5. Jon pointed out that purchasing from the stall is cheaper than Ebay due to no postage charges which are generally high due to the weight of a book, especially a hardback. The outlet is well worth a visit this week.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2017 12:55:33 GMT
The industrious publishing hive of the Sussex CCC Museum have released their second limited edition booklet within a month. The latest is part of the Museum's 'Record-Breaking Series' and on this occasion Sussex player, Harry Finch, is the recipient. Being the 6th in the series, it has been researched and compiled by esteemed Museum archivist, Norman Epps, and celebrates Finch's five catches in one innings against Worcestershire at New Road on August 7th. Four of the catches were taken at slip off (Mitchell, D'Oliveira, Cox and Clarke) and the other at backward point (Hastings). Bowler Archer benefitted twice and Jordan, Wiese and van Zyl once each. These five catches in one innings equalled the club record which has been achieved now on eight occasions by six different Sussex players. The last time was in 1976 by Javed Miandad. The others were Geoff Greenidge, Alan Oakman (twice), John Langridge and Bert Wensley (twice). The eight page booklet sells for £5 and is limited to just 50 copies. Each comes with an original Harry Finch signature and can be bought via the Museum. Please contact Jon Filby at: jonfilby@blueyonder.co.uk
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2017 16:58:19 GMT
Cricket’s a ‘Funny ol’ Game’ _____________________________________
Who should be sitting at the North End of the Hove ground just to the right of the sight-screen and watching the afternoon's play but Nottinghamshire’s Head Coach Peter Moores. Returning to Hove must bring back so many memories for him and, no doubt, there is a bitter sweet feeling presently rumbling around his body - delighted at how well Sussex are playing against his Midlands side - but deeply worried that Notts' chances of Division 2 promotion are quickly slipping away. Only a few weeks ago a treble for Notts was almost a certainty but a combination of momentum and their form falling off a cliff, at the most vital point of the season, have left the county staring into an abyss of grave concern. After winning both OD trophies, Moores standing at Notts has never been higher but for some club Members gaining Division 2 promotion is as important, if not more so, than two new shiny Cups in the Boardroom cabinet. Unless some extraordinary drama occurs (as I write the Notts score is 66-5), the very best the team can hope for is a draw which is looking less and less likely and may not be enough, anyway, to beat off rivals Worcestershire and Northants who are presently bossing their two respective final matches. Cricket is a "funny ol' game" and the Hove sea air is definitely not suiting Peter Moores in September 2017.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2017 17:07:04 GMT
The 'Radius Healthcare' located below the Sussex CCC Media Centre had a whizz of an idea today as they sought to gather money for the fantastic and noble charity the 'MacMillan Hospice'. Some clever members of the Healthcare staff had baked an assortment of varied cakes where passers-by and patients were encouraged to donate monies for a slice or an assortment of cup cakes. Delicious they were too as my coffee and walnut testified. It is unclear whether this bake-off continues tomorrow but looking at the crumbs on the plates, many had enjoyed a slice or two today. www.macmillan.org.uk
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2017 17:41:17 GMT
ARROWING ON TO THE “MODERN DOUBLE” _________________________________________________________Joffra Archer is described by long-term Sussex CCC Board member, Richard Barrow, as "The most exciting all-rounder to come to Sussex since Tony Greig." Therefore, it is of no surprise to learn that Archer, in his first full English County season, has broken a club record standing for 21 years. That record is deemed today as the "Modern Double" due to the less 1st class games played during a Summer. It is interesting to note that in 1992 Counties competed in 22 Championship matches but this year, that figure has decreased to 14. Back to Joffra's record which bears an attractive symmetry. He has scored over 500 runs and taken over 50 wickets this season, hence the term. The last time this feat was achieved by a Sussex player being 1996 by another Caribbean cricketer Vasbert Drakes. What makes Archer's record more impressive is, his record was achieved via fewer games. This "Modern Double" occurs most County seasons but the numbers are dwindling. In 2016, the feat was accomplished by Barker and Woakes from Warwickshire and Leach of Worcestershire. In 2015, only two cricketers crossed the line: Stevens from Kent and Patel of Warwickshire. So, whilst the historians can hark back to Jim Parks Senior's record of 3,000 runs and 100 wickets in a Sussex season, such achievements will remain as exceptional one-offs in the cricketing annals. The silver lining to Sussex's disappointing season has been the emergence of Joffra Archer and, no doubt, he may break further cricketing records in the years' to come. Since 1996 Sussex players who came close to the “Modern Double” have been Mushy in 2003 (shy by 40 odd runs) and Chris Jordan in 2013. (Thanks to Museum Archivist, Norman Epps, for the information)
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 27, 2017 9:14:30 GMT
The Last of the Local Radio Commentating Legends Retires __________________________________________________________________I am saddened to hear that BBC Sports radio commentator, John Lees, is retiring after 30 years behind the microphone. John is the last of the Sussex Sporting Media legends after the demise of John Vinicombe and Tony Millard. He has many a tale to tell of their escapades whilst sharing the driving to and from cricket and football matches around the UK. After news of Millard's death in August 2013, suddenly and unexpectedly came through to the media centre, I was privileged to hear some of these stories. A downbeat John stated that Millard knew where all the Brighton and Hove Albion scandals and skeletons lay - especially during the dark days leading up to the sale of the Goldstone ground. There was even a rumour he had written a book which was to be published after his death, but this never materialised. John is also one of the last true eccentrics behind the mic. In an increasingly uniformed, politically correct and dumbed-down world, a young Lees, today, might be viewed by some as an oddball whose GP had prescribed him Prozac. Therefore, it is fitting that he retires less than a month after Henry Blofeld. Both seem out-of-step with society. It is unlikely, John will gain the same adulation and fanfare Blowers experienced at Lord's but one hopes when John hangs up his headphones on Thursday evening as the final Sussex Championship match of the season draws to a close, he will be cheered and applauded by the crowd. John has an array of interests away from cricket which include his legendary birdwatching. Rather like Blowers and his buses, it was John and his ‘twitching.’ Many a time his listeners would be regaled stories of his latest viewing of a rare-bird somewhere in the wilds of Norfolk. Another love was speed-walking and John holds the record for the fastest coast-to-coast walk across the USA. Starting at Los Angeles City Hall on 11 April 1971, he walked for 53 days, 12 hours and 15 minutes to New York City Hall finishing on 3 June 1971. Meanwhile, John’s eccentricities are delightfully endearing. I remember a few years back when Hove played host to a Women's ODI game between Australia and the West Indies, I shared the journo section with him. After his various bouts of commentating for BBC Radio Sussex, he returned to the room and spent his free time tearing uniformly-sized strips from the Metro newspaper and then carefully folding each one ten times over - no-more, no less - before then disassembling them again. His vocal coughs and general grunts are also unique when away from the mic, while his various food allergies makes eating at the ground, at times, difficult. Soup is his favourite dish but NOT mushroom. His partner and producer, Liz, is constantly by his working side and without her assistance, it is, perhaps, unlikely John would have remained so long in the commentating business. Good luck John for your future and thank you for all the commentary and fun over the years. You will be missed.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 27, 2017 16:48:21 GMT
Tonight the Sussex CCC Museum hosts a special dinner for Jim May in Gallery 3 to celebrate his 20 years as a Committee Member. After stepping down as Club Chairman in April, a position he held for 8.5 years and before that as Treasurer, he has been a regular visitor to Sussex matches this summer and still keeps involved, helping out Sir Rod Aldridge and his Cricket Centre at the BACA’s Campus, Falmer. To add sparkle to the celebration, the Museum have placed various high quality colour prints around the galleries, taken from the Evening Argus on March 20th, 1997, commemorating the infamous and successful 'Members Rebellion' at the Brighton 'Grand Hotel' where Jim May was a prime instigator. Eighteen people have been invited to the three course dinner including both present and past Committee Members. Q: I wonder if Peter Moores is attending?
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