Sussex v Yorkshire 16th June at Arundel

Arundel Day 3 - a Personal Perspective

On the day that former Sussex seamer, Naved Arif, was given a life ban from cricket by the ECB, Board CEO David Collier was
in deep conversation mid morning with club director David Bowden. No doubt the talk was on more cheerful subjects like the
'Sussex Cricket in the Community Trust' which is spearheaded by Bowden - a project that the ECB are mightily impressed with, where
they are encouraging other counties to follow suit and use Sussex as their role model. Collier spent much of the day watching the
cricket, chatting to the Sussex hierarchy and staff, and being active on his mobile. No doubt a furtive Giles Clarke asking whether
Lalit Modi was in attendance and was he talking to any 'Cricketer Magazine' staff. Collier refused to take interviews on such an
inauspicious day.

It was the turn of Sussex sponsor 'Mayo Wynne Baxter' to wine and dine their staff and clients in the large marquee on the hill.
Festival Cricket is ideal for such entertainment. Whilst another 4 groups of children representing different local schools attended free
of charge and were offered cricket coaching by Sussex staff during the lunch and tea breaks... a brilliant Club initiative.

On the field the game heads towards an attritional draw bar a second innings Sussex batting collapse. Wells and Nash survived a squeaky
bum final 10 overs where the tedious shrieks of the Yorkshire fielders after almost every ball even drowned out the squawks of the herring
gulls.

One of today's highlights was a Tredders 'Flintoffesque' caught and bowled. The batsman Jack Leaning looked utterly distraught being just
one run away from his maiden century. Meanwhile, Tredwell bowled 59 overs in the first innings. Perhaps, as many in 2 days than the last
2 seasons at Kent? I am sure borderman will put me straight. Certainly, Sussex are getting their on-loan money's worth. And perhaps, a cunning
plan by the club to make him so knackered for Friday's T20 at Canterbury that he won't be able to bowl for Kent.

Yet more injury woes for Sussex as Ed Joyce watched from the dressing room as he nurses a suspect hamstring. He may bat at No.7 tomorrow
if required. Callum Jackson subbed. Whilst Yardy may be out now for most of the remaining season. A terrible time to get injured given 2014 is
his benefit year.

The atmosphere was somewhat subdued - perhaps a reflection of the cricket on the pitch - but still well over 2,000 attended - a larger crowd than
expected at Hove. This summer's 'Arundel Cricket Festival' is heading towards a 5 day high of up to 16,000 attendees. Perhaps, an all-time record?

Hearty congratulations to Sussex CCC and Arundel CC for organising such a successful festival event. As a famous American writer might say: "Rumours
of my demise are greatly exaggerated."

What a borefest. Dunno what Yorks are up to apart from showing us that 300 was an under par score. Truly diabolical. The sort of track that should never be used for cricket, and certainly not with our attack. Playing for the draw, great.

These are Wickets demanded by coaches. I have said before we need better cricket wickets for all skills. Not just to suit seamers! This makes for dull, uninteresting batting, bowling, selection, everything.

Time for the ECB to step in and employ all head groundsmen. No home bias then.

I agree, about time cricket recognised they are entertainers! Entertain us then!

Is anyone awake at Arundel? 

What sort of crowd is there today?

I wouldn't like to have the job of marketing that concept. I'm not really sure I know what it means. I watch a lot of cricket and have never realised it was the pace of life that attracted me. 

Pooqueeta! Absolute pooqueeta. Both teams about as guilty as each other for that yawn-fest. Pace of life? Was anybody still alive by the end. A draw, yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I'm probably being a bit harsh on Sussex, given our condition, but Yorks? What were they up to? Maybe they had a captaincy lesson from Alister Cook before the game.