Sussex v Kent (April 14th-17th)

Archer has bowled superbly, started off not really testing the Kent openers until DD-B left one; perhaps lulled into a false sense of security with the early lines! Shahzad has, although quite expensive, done a good job. Seems to bowl a couple of loose deliveries every over but then comes up with a few very good balls as well. Wicket looks fairly up and down to me.

Fantastic effort from Archer and Shahzad. Let's hope we can hold out for these 4 overs or so, it's getting dark!!!

Reports from friends at the ground yesterday were that Philander looked overweight and unfit and after the first few quickfire overs he slowed down considerably and never looked like getting a wicket which is hugely dissapointing. We would probably have been better off playing Whittingham and Garton than Philander and Weise as their extra zip would have suited the conditions better. The pitch has apparently started to crack a little at one end and we may also regret not playing Briggs.

They also said that the keeping, catching and ground fielding were poor and we started as we left off last year with conceding too many extras. 

On the plus side Archer bowled superbly ably supported by Shahzad who seems to have put on a yard of pace since last year.

I'm beginning to agree with Jonboy that we'd have been better to save the wages of the Kolpaks and gone for a top flight opening bat.

Still 250 behind, 6 wickets standing, 2 debutants at the crease, none of the imports having shown up well....no pressure then.

On edit: Strike me pink, another one bites the dust!

Who is the batting coach? An overseas opening batsman may have been a better bet. At least we have avoided the follow on.

No run-outs yet, so he hasn't quite got into his stride