CC v Warwicks, Horsham 21-24 July

This is such a crucial game. If we gain 8+points from the match, the distance between us and Lancashire
increases and puts even greater pressure on them. We should be sending Read a thank you note.

Meanwhile, we rely heavily on Magoffin but he has good memories and likes the ground as does Nash
where a century is waiting around the corner. I am quietly confident that Sussex will perform well and
am really looking forward to attending.

Let's try and guess the team from the bits and pieces of information strewn across the media by the Sage of Hull.

First of all Tredwell is certain to play, per Robinson “It is a bit of a strange one as we only play one Championship game during the month but he will give us a bit of stability."

Next there is Jordan “But because of our position it is probably better that Chris plays some more red-ball cricket so hopefully he will be all right for Monday.”

And possibly Cachopa “We can’t wait to see if he is able to transfer his form that he has shown for Auckland and our second team into first team runs for us.”

For the Known Unknowns, there is Hamilton Brown's mystery wrist injury, Yardy of course, and still no news of Anyon's fitness.

Lewis was considered fit to be included in the squad on Friday, and obviously Machan has recovered from whatever it was that we were told incapacitated him from consideration against Northants. Joyce appears to being kept in cotton wool and we must hope is fit, as much as we hope that Magoffin's unexpected T20 outings haven't harmed him.

So a possible team might be:

Nash
Wells
Machan
Joyce
Cachopa
Wright
Brown
Jordan
Tredwell
Magoffin
Lewis

Good point. Hobden was very impressive against Northants, and if this Horsham wicket gives him a bit of lift and bounce he, Jordan and Magoffin would make a very powerful attack.

True, but Anyon hasn't shown much sign of returning to that form this year, and Hobden really looked impressive on a sporty pitch two weeks ago. I'd be inclined to keep faith in him - particularly as Grounders seemed to imply the Horsham wicket would have some life in it.

Anyon's effectiveness last season was based on being part of a relentlessly aggressive, rotating three-pronged seam attack with Panesar to bowl dry at the other end.

With Jordan available and Tredwell in the side, we have a rare opportunity to try to replicate last season's successful formula and I'd seize it with both hands. There will be plenty of opportunities for Hobden and Hatchett once Jordan's fleeting visit to these parts is over again.

The Sussex site states that Anyon is injured, as are Hamilton Brown and Yardy, and this is the squad:

BC Brown (wkt)
C Cachopa
LJ Hatchett
ME Hobden
CJ Jordan
EC Joyce (capt)
SJ Magoffin
CD Nash
SA Piolet
JC Tredwell
LWP Wells
LJ Wright
SAA Zaidi

So Machan is missing, presumed dropped, as the diplomatic injury he suffered from at the time of the Northants game isn't offered as an extenuating cirumstance. That probably means Piolet or Zaidi fighting over a batting place that neither of them have shown themselves worthy of filling this season. On balance Piolet's grittiness and defensive correctness would probably be a better bet to follow the strokemakers Cachopa and Wright, but that would put Joyce at 3, one place higher than he normally likes. Still, it is a full hand of bowlers, and as I've said before, Hobden on the evidence of his Horsham form would be my choice over Hatchett to partner and support Jordan and Magoffin.

I can't find any news of the Warwickshire squad but it will be interesting to see how Trott performs against Jordan and Hobden, and to see the game within the game between Patel and Tredwell as rival non-turning spinners. Patel has the averages but he hasn't convinced me as a successor to Lance Gibbs.