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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 14, 2017 12:42:02 GMT
What a time for Sussex CCC bowling coach, Jon Lewis. Over the next five months his career is set to soar. He's flown off today to Australia where he will join the England Lions after taking over the bowling position from Chris Silverwood. Jon will gain experience from helping out the likes of Mark Wood and Tom Helm. The 42-year-old, who played one Test and 13 ODIs for his country, will then remain in Australia to join the backroom staff of the BBL team, Perth Scorchers, before reconnecting later with the Lions during their West Indies tour in January. "I am extremely excited about the prospect of coaching the England Lions on tour in Australia and the Caribbean," he said. "Whilst, the Perth Scorchers play in one of the highest profile T20 tournaments in the world." But that isn't all. The man whom Mark Robinson once described as "a proper bloke" has been tipped as a strong candidate for taking over the Head Coach role at Sussex from Mark Davis. The relationship he has built with Jofra Archer is typical of the man's qualities. Jon and his family not only took Jofra into their own family home early this year but treated him like one of their own. This special relationship has been paramount in helping Archer achieve a stunning first class debut season. All in all, at present, life's a bed of roses for the former Gloucestershire cricketer. www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/article/Sussex-assistant-Jon-Lewis-to-work-with-England-Lions-this-winter-ab7b669b-c630-4ba2-8ae0-2a33a1fb39ca-ds
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 14, 2017 13:24:52 GMT
Off-PisteThis has nothing to do with cricket but everything to do with food wastage. Perhaps, find a vague link to Centerplate but what's the point? Below is a link to a brief but powerful film on food wastage in Britain. Around 10m tonnes of edible food is thrown away each year. 70% of this comes from the home or £13bns worth is annually chucked by the consumer. Given the fact that every 10 seconds a child dies from hunger around the world and approximately 9 million people die of hunger and hunger-related diseases every year, more than double the lives taken by AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in 2012, this is obscene. An idea: Why don't the Sussex Cricket Foundation become involved in a local Brighton City project about educating people more on general food wastage, offering unwanted edibles to local food banks and helping the growing homeless on our streets gain a decent square meal. www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-41973919/what-s-causing-britain-s-food-waste
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 15, 2017 10:30:19 GMT
"Back On-Board The Club Ship - 100%" ________________________________________________I am back on-board with Sussex CCC, 100%, after two interviews this week carried out by club CEO, Rob Andrew. I listened, I smiled, I cheered. I say this because in recent years, and for those who read my general posts and this Forum will know, I have not been a happy bunny over certain decisions made by the club. There was a mindset, a viewpoint, which I neither agreed with, understood or felt a part of. But since Rob Andrew was named as the new Sussex CCC Chief Executive almost exactly a year ago, my old belief, my pessimism and lack of confidence for the club going forward has gradually transformed to now a self-belief that another golden decade is beckoning just around the corner. (Getty Images)It is never easy to recapture past glory days for sadly after 2009, Sussex CCC have experienced a steady decline back to where they were during the dismal 1990s. Not only has it been a depressing period to live through, but as an ardent supporter, tragic to witness. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05mx19bNever look back, they say, and finally we can look forward with renewed optimism and great hope. Rob Andrew, imho, is the man to return us to paradise and everything is set up for him to achieve this. Make the right decision on the new Head Coach, and the steam train to success, trophies and supporter pride is like a greyhound ready to burst out of the traps. What the two interviews show is a man who has quickly embraced Sussex CCC with heart and ambition. Not only is Andrew a winner who hates losing, but his vast experience taken from the rugby arena, places him in a very strong position to steer the ship in the right golden direction. During the final home match against Notts, we had one of our brief but various chats over the Summer. As Burgess was closing in on his maiden Championship century, I commented what a strong core of a Sussex side we had; adding we just needed the coach to cohere them altogether. Andrew smiled. I ended our chat with the comment, “I look forward to seeing what changes you make over the Winter.” He laughed, squeezed my left shoulder blade, and walked off to his next social engagement. In hindsight, his decision to change the Head Coach had already been made. www.sussexcricket.co.uk/news-1/watch-rob-andrew-reflects-on-his-first-year-at-the-helm-and-sets-out-his-vision-for-the-futureApart from the exciting youngsters coming through; the fact we have secured Luke Wright until 2020; that a new Chairman has emerged who is not hands on like his predecessor; all this offers Andrew the space to use his many attributes to carry out what he believes is correct for the club. Bob Warren who repeatedly says is a “hands-off Chairman” wants trophies; Andrew desperately wishes for silverware; supporters ache for success; the potions of the witches brew are in place, ready to be stirred and blended by a CEO who has what it takes to achieve this. I can’t remember when I last felt this optimistic. Perhaps, I am suffering from a delusion of grandeur brought about by the increasing dark Winter days. But, what I can say after spending various years in the pessimistic wilderness. It feels damn good!
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Post by jonboy on Nov 15, 2017 11:01:03 GMT
I’m struggling to get on board, and to be honest, most of what’s been said, has been said every season As things stand, the squad is considerably weaker than the one that started last season There is optimism, especially with the exciting group of young seamers, but the same question marks about the batsmen remain
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Post by joe on Nov 15, 2017 11:55:52 GMT
I like Andrew, I like the way he speaks and keeps things simple, no BS.
There is a huge decision to be made over the winter months and I’m prepared to put my faith in Andrew to take his time and get it right.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 15, 2017 13:00:31 GMT
jb,
I’m struggling to get on board...
I understand your wariness but when the 'right' Head Coach is picked who can cohese the team together, I believe we will see the true potential of the side emerge. Perhaps, beforehand, we had a once successful coach who then became staid, on the wane, and in dire need of a scenery change; followed by another who simply wasn't up to the task and should never have been chosen in the first place. A lovely guy, full of optimism and waggy tail, but he was an Assistant No.2 and may always remain so.
Whomever is the new Head Coach, and while I remain a strong supporter of Chris Adams, if someone better comes along then all for the good (with Andrew as CEO you may find top candidates who would not have applied in the past, could now do so), the full potential of the squad should blossom and as supporters we could be in for some wondrous surprises.
How often have we seen this in football? The new right Coach turns a malfunctioning Chelsea back into winners. The new right Coach turns the perceived underdogs of Leicester into Premier League champions. And why Rob Andrew is very aware of the importance of choosing the correct man and why sensibly he is biding his time. There aren't many CEOs with his experience in this field. Some like Stuart Lancaster were not a success while others like Eddie Jones are. He seems more successful with his gut feeling rather than a lengthy intellectual process. Let us hope Andrew chooses the right one. If he does Sussex, imho, could well find themselves on the path towards another golden decade.
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Post by liquidskin on Nov 15, 2017 21:53:54 GMT
ie, My understanding is that there will be little, if any, new player recruitment over the Winter, which means that with no Magoffin or Nash, there might be as much as an annual £250,000 saved that could go towards the new coach's salary. This would make the position a lot more attractive for the very top people. As you mentioned earlier, no one would have guessed Rob Andrew as the new CEO, so who knows about the new Head Coach? Clive Woodward, perhaps? Having lost, Philander, Shahzad, Machan, Magoffin, and now Nash, from our squad last season, and replaced them with Burgess and young Haines, there damn well ought to be some serious recruitment You can’t lose that much experience and quality from the squad without there being a detrimental effect They were the detrimental effect. I say that with respect to all of them but if having them, and numerous others like that who are still here, results in what we've seen over the last few years then it clearly needs changing. We have a lot of young promising players, more than ever, and if there's ever a time to go another way, it's now. Especially given the obvious failings of the last few years. One overseas opener will do for me.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 16, 2017 11:27:01 GMT
There's a BIG Sussex CCC announcement today at 12 noon. Oo-err, wonder what it's about?
⏰ANNOUNCEMENT COUNTDOWN ⏰We have some very exciting news about next summer coming up.
Make sure you tune in at 🕛 for full details!
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 16, 2017 12:18:20 GMT
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Post by flashblade on Nov 16, 2017 12:19:09 GMT
That is excellent news. I'm looking forward to this.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 16, 2017 12:31:58 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 17, 2017 13:03:41 GMT
Matt Prior: The Keeper, the Batsman, the Cyclist and next Sussex CCC Assistant Coach? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The hunt is on for a new Sussex CCC Head Coach and while Rob Andrew stated this week that “there is no hurry” and the club “are taking their time to make sure the right Coach is found”, one potential candidate is presently using Twitter as his siren call. The tweeting of Matt Prior during the last two days has been extraordinary to watch. Like a man possessed, I have not seen such a determined CV for a Sussex coaching job since Chris Adams two years ago, when the club’s former Captain employed a barrage of PR exploits from a book, talks at the County ground, to articles in local newspapers. This time around it is Adams who remains silent whilst Prior is firing a fusillade of comments and opinions. Since the news of Mark Davis’ departure, Prior began his campaign by stating the club needed to rediscover their old successful culture. Then after going silent for a few weeks, the barrage of words started yesterday. He began by tweeting: “For the number of people asking yes I am very keen to be involved with @sussexccc & help the club get back to winning ways. I have spoken to a number of senior players & staff & what has been going & how a few individuals have behaved is quite frankly worrying. It needs to change…” This tweet triggered a number of Sussex old boys from former Marketing Manager Trevor Mould (he’s employed now as a photographer for Prior’s Cycling Team) “A bit of straight talking is well overdue mate…” to former club fast bowler Corey Collymore who said, “That's very surprising and disappointing Matty. The culture was always brilliant and should never change!!” Then adding, “…I always say SCCC transformed my career which was basically over and extended it to another decade. I don't know what's going on and I don't need to know. I just wish it can be sorted so the club can get back to its high standard!” Matt responded, “Exactly mate! Was a special place, as successful place and we need to get that back. Players & staff alike need to believe in what they are playing/working for… Family club and winning mentality don’t need to be separate.” twitter.com/MattPrior13?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorEven general UK Cricinfo editor, David Hopps, got in on the act. “D of C Prior would be a good idea. First head coach to arrive on a bike." Today, Prior has ramped up the pressure with quotes in an Evening Argus article written by Brian Owen (I miss you Steve Hollis!) where he says, “The county has gone soft…” No doubt alluding to the southern softies meme. Prior believes that some people have been made scapegoats for the club’s declining fortunes. He continues, “I’ve spoken to a number of senior players in the last month or so, a number of coaches and staff. What I’m hearing is frightening. Obviously things are not good.” He cryptically adds, “Certain people can become scapegoats and they might not be the right ones to blame.” Prior calls for stronger leadership and a tougher mindset. “I think Sussex have become soft, if I’m honest. I don’t want to sound like I’m here as an enemy. I’m here as an ally.” www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15666786.Passionate_Prior_says_culture_must_change_at__soft__Sussex/?ref=twtrecThis led Trevor Mould to tweet, “It takes guts to speak out when no-one else will about the club we love and want to succeed. Obviously a lot more behind the recent events which needs addressing and not burying.” It is easy to be cynical and suggest Mould’s support might lead to him getting his old job back, but the fact is, a lot of Sussex supporters would like to see Prior return with some even suggesting he should be offered Keith Greenfield’s present role as 'Director of Sussex Cricket. Unfortunately, we have seen this type of PR before where Chris Adams was unsuccessful in his attempt and no doubt why he remains silent the second time around after some critics described his previous salvo as “One long application form for a job he never got.” In a further article just published on the Argus website Prior says, “I’ve got no experience of being a Head Coach, but I think there is another role, maybe between the chief executive and the Head Coach. I feel I have a huge amount of experience I could offer and would be of value." Prior continues, “There are huge gaps within the club at the moment, not just from the playing or coaching perspective. I don’t want to name names or positions. I want people to know I want to help Sussex cricket. I’m pretty passionate about Sussex cricket and I never intended just to ride off into the sunset and never come back. I wanted to come back with something to offer. It got to the point a few years back when I thought Sussex couldn’t get any lower, but it has gone further downhill. I’ve heard people say it has now hit rock bottom and the only way is up." He concludes, “It hurts me sitting here seeing what is going on. It is so frustrating." www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15666796.Matt_Prior__I_ve_learned_about_the_real_world_and_I_ve_got_something_to_offer_Sussex/?ref=macPersonally, I would like to see a return of Matt Prior in some capacity or other, but I do have one question to ask. 'Has Prior lost interest in his professional cycling interests?' If not, how could he combine the two roles?
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Nov 17, 2017 16:49:13 GMT
November 17th should be renamed 'Matt Prior Publicity and Media Day'. The plot thickens as Prior influences various favours with David Hopps writing and publishing a feature entitled, 'PRIOR MAKES HIS PLEA TO REVIVE SUSSEX'. No doubt inspired by his earlier tweet in the morning. Matt Prior gains a thumbs up from general UK Cricinfo editor David HoppsHopps writes, "The vacant head coach's role at Sussex is a job made for him. If not that precise role then something else where he can bark a few orders, lay down a few ground rules, and sort out a Sussex culture which he is adamant has become slack and unprofessional." He continues, "Whether Rob Andrew, Sussex's chief executive, will have the courage to recognise that Prior's challenging persona can be channelled into something positive and long lasting remains to be seen - not many chief executives like the failings of their county to be be openly discussed. Andrew told ESPNcricinfo this week that the decision on a new head coach will not be rushed. "When Prior retired because of persistent Achilles problems, he turned to cycling for satisfaction, founding 'One Pro Cycling', Britain's first continental professional cycling team. Prior has realised that he would love nothing more than to park his bike inside the cramped and characterful Hove ground where he spent much of his career." Certainly, Chris Adams never gained a thumbs up from Cricinfo, so Prior is moving now in exotic and stratospheric media circles. Hopps comments, "Prior was initially coy about his ambitions, perhaps even conflicted, but he is a passionate man and he has been unable to curb his excitement, especially on Twitter where his recent pronouncements have displayed his love for a county that has lost its way. That Prior has the experience - if not the coaching certificates - for Sussex's top job is undeniable. He became an increasingly influential figure in the England dressing room in a career that encompassed 79 Tests and 68 ODIs between 2004 and 2014." Pointing out, "Prior has seen Yorkshire and Lancashire make internal appointments in the past year, promoting Andrew Gale and Glen Chapple respectively as soon as their playing days were over. He has also shown in his cycling venture that he has an appetite for a challenge." Hopps explains that the development of 'One Pro Cycling' has not been an easy one as funding problems have caused the team to trim back plans to compete in world events, alongside Team Sky, and return to continental level, whilst rosters have also been cut. He continues, "The extent of Prior's sporting ambition has been clear. He knows what he wants to achieve and tends to take the direct approach to getting there. As a player, too, he has had the opportunity to study the various approaches of Peter Moores, both with Sussex and England, Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower. Prior commanded respect as an up-and-coming player for his drive and the enterprising way he played his cricket." Concluding, "If he returned to Sussex in an influential capacity, he would not be content with a snooze in a deckchair behind the arm and an occasional burst of (Good Old) Sussex by the Sea." www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21443578/prior-makes-plea-help-revive-sussex
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Post by joe on Nov 17, 2017 18:08:02 GMT
I often find that the more noise a person makes the less likely he/she is to be listened to.
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Post by flashblade on Nov 17, 2017 18:40:44 GMT
I often find that the more noise a person makes the less likely he/she is to be listened to. Yes, it's a strange way to make a job application, isn't it?
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