Sussex v Kent (April 14th-17th)

Not completely. It is now the responsibility of the new chairman and chief executive to look at what they have inherited and decide if it is fit for purpose. That includes:

The coaching structure - do we need a proper Director of Cricket, somebody with real prestige and experience at the top level in the game to come in and decide which of the myriad old boys on the staff is good enough to provide expertise when and as needed.

The recruitment and selection process - Captain or Coach or Director? Who makes the decisions and what are the principles on which they are taken?

Day to day performance - Does the captain have the strength of personality and respect from his team that we all hoped? His words have all been strong and inspiring but the performance has been woeful, and his own form has been dismal outside of one-day cricket. Similarly, does the head coach have enough charisma to inspire superlative performance from all of the team, all of the time?

This isn't a knee jerk reaction in the face of this one defeat, dreadful though it is. On this forum most of us have been saying these things, particularly about the structure of the performance setup for a long time. There is no more benefit of the doubt to be extended. The club has some excellent players and some very good ones, and with rare exceptions, none of them have been living up to their own talent. Something has to change right away or else the club will dwindle into the mediocre trough of the perpetual second division sides.

What a shame we didn't even put up a fight other than Ben Brown. On a positive note Jofra Archer looks to continue this season where he left off last and Shadzad hopefully might give us some extra fire power. I do hope they bring Garton or Whittingham in for the next match as well alongside Mags.

Batting looks awful, we need to get rid of this recruiting ex-players onto the coaching/management staff attitude and get some people in who have earned their stripes!

I'm secretly hoping Phillander isn't able to stay on and we can get a good batsman in instead. Can't understand he logic of giving Wiese a three year contract either, he hardly lit up the world last year.

Hhs,

It is now the responsibility of the new chairman and chief executive to look at what they have inherited and decide if it is fit for purpose.

After the embarrassing loss this afternoon, all credit to Rob Andrew, who appeared in the Spen Cama Pavilion and began talking to various
Members who were airing their views of the match. I am sure Andrew already knows the problems facing the squad; and no doubt he has
opinions on what can be done to rectify them. But who does he talk to? Mark Davis, Keith Greenfield or speak directly to the players?

It is unfair to make sweeping judgments given this is the first game, but I would place Van Zyl and Evans in the 2nd XI for some matches
to help build their confidence. Meanwhile, we hope Wells will return soon. 

The interviews come thick and fast and here is the first from Ben Brown who was the only one who showed true grit and determination 
in both innings. But sadly the scratched record about injuries crops up in this very first match and no doubt may be a returning theme
throughout the season.

Am in agreement with joe. What about if Ben Brown Captains the Championship side and Luke Wright the ODs?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNkeEgVEys&feature=youtu.be 

Steve Hollis from the Argus has his say.

www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15228915.Sussex_collapse_to_heavy_defeat_against_Kent/?ref=twtrec

CP, do you really think SCCC are going to attract TOP players in the position they are in? They can't and won't, fact.
They'll have a job keeping some if things don't improve.
I think the talent is in the squad, getting the mix and motivation is the problem. The saffers, well, lets see, give SVZ a chance. DW, I tend to agree expensive. Lets wait and see what happens when CJ returns, will he be accommodated (DW) or will LW pick the right team to win? I think that's when we shall see the strategy and management.
I have thought for a while now, KG has to take responsibility for the situation. His lack of focus for 4-5 years as academy boss has borne too few.

Philander was a great signing on paper and I was sure van Zyl would score plenty in the second tier of the CC. There's obviously something lacking elsewhere in the club as none of our recent O/S have performed as well as was expected. Perhaps it's the coach, perhaps it's the captain but whatever it is it needs addressing otherwise we'll be in the same position as we were at the end of last season.