• From: Brighton via Moscow and Barcel
  • Registered: 08-05-2008
  • Posts: 283

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

aewparsons wrote:

Some good sensible posts on here tonight - you've all done very well ( except the players who were shocking).

We are underperforming. It is collective and Robbo and Yards will sort it but the charade tomorrow with Cameroon is not going to help.

Durston's innings today was indeed excellent but I very much doubt that a defending Champions team has ever bowled so many four balls in an innings. Paperboy and Sweatysock would have dispatched some of that short and wide stuff to the short boundaries with the proverbial stick of rhubarb.

I was extremely fed up at the end of the game and went to visit my dad's grave for the first time - in Bury just down the road from the ground. That soon sorted me out - there was an owl gliding up and down above the River Arun and once I'd told the old boy how rubbish Sussex were today I soon got over it. He would have said something about how marvellous they all are and how much faith we have in Robbo and that it will turn round again very quickly. He would also have enjoyed the wonderful sunshine, the great company at one of the best cricket grounds in the world, Gatting's cameo and Durston's innings which was indeed wonderful. He would have  especially enjoyed Durston's delightful kids who were playing on the grass in front of us saying "Daddy will be back soon" - unfortunately for Sussex he was not back soon enough!!

Sussex have a very strong squad of players and will soon be playing great cricket again. I just hope its tomorrow when we all trek down to Hove!

A beautiful post John, I came on here about to unload with unabashed wrath but I'm lucky enough to still have a cricket and Sussex loving father alive to share the good times and bad with and your delicate and un-mawkish sentiments have made me realise how lucky I am in that respect and how they won't last for much longer. It brought a tear to my eye mate- Thank you sir, that is more important than whining about losing to a bunch of students and county under-achievers- Fair play to them.! Might not be good for Sussex, but its surely good for cricket?

The Paul Phillipson Appreciation Society
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 27-08-2004
  • Posts: 3,446

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Lovely post John . Have to say I have seen the bad times but cannot remember losing like this before to a minor team. Yes we did lose some minor county games over the years .
Should say there are 3 groups and the winners plus best 2nd team will be semi finalists. I
would not put money on Sussex being one of them.

  • From: Hamilton
  • Registered: 04-04-2006
  • Posts: 1,521

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

SPSL11 wasn't there a loss to Ireland in the 70's at Pagham? I think Imran Khan got belted for a few. And that was a long time before Ireland were any good.

(Yes, my memory is OK) http://www.cricketarchive.com/Sussex/Sc … 00638.html


It's a disappointing result, but there's no reason for despair: 2nd in the CC division, and better than 50% in the 40 over competition.

Last edited by The Good Doctor (24-05-2010 01:06:00)

The Good Doctor's Website

  • From: South Florida
  • Registered: 11-04-2006
  • Posts: 555

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Some well balanced posts indeed for such an abject bowling performance.

  • From: NULL
  • Registered: 01-06-2007
  • Posts: 2

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Today's performance at Arundel was poor with some noteable exceptions in the batting.  However it is totally unfair to begin writing the team off in the middle of May. Encouragement and support are what the side needs, and we must back our players and management who are to a great extent the same ones who won trophies in previous seasons.

It is inevitable that there will be a season when the county does not win siverware and it may be that this is it. But I believe that if the weather continues as it is, Panesar will produce the performances that he is capable of.

Unfortunately as in every field of sport a number of followers of all teams expect success constantly and desert the team when it does not happen. A true supporter can criticise when there is justification but will always be there whenever possible to back his team.

Please remember that the players and management read these comments and whist as I said justifable criticism is fair, please keep it reasonable.

I have supported the county for 53 years and 4 lost matches is not the end of the world merely a blip( a comment not totally dis- similar to the one I made when we won our last county championship!)

NULL

sussexruleok's Website

  • From: Sussex, living in Surrey
  • Registered: 05-10-2006
  • Posts: 3,631

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

SeaFret wrote:
aewparsons wrote:

Some good sensible posts on here tonight - you've all done very well ( except the players who were shocking).

We are underperforming. It is collective and Robbo and Yards will sort it but the charade tomorrow with Cameroon is not going to help.

Durston's innings today was indeed excellent but I very much doubt that a defending Champions team has ever bowled so many four balls in an innings. Paperboy and Sweatysock would have dispatched some of that short and wide stuff to the short boundaries with the proverbial stick of rhubarb.

I was extremely fed up at the end of the game and went to visit my dad's grave for the first time - in Bury just down the road from the ground. That soon sorted me out - there was an owl gliding up and down above the River Arun and once I'd told the old boy how rubbish Sussex were today I soon got over it. He would have said something about how marvellous they all are and how much faith we have in Robbo and that it will turn round again very quickly. He would also have enjoyed the wonderful sunshine, the great company at one of the best cricket grounds in the world, Gatting's cameo and Durston's innings which was indeed wonderful. He would have  especially enjoyed Durston's delightful kids who were playing on the grass in front of us saying "Daddy will be back soon" - unfortunately for Sussex he was not back soon enough!!

Sussex have a very strong squad of players and will soon be playing great cricket again. I just hope its tomorrow when we all trek down to Hove!

A beautiful post John, I came on here about to unload with unabashed wrath but I'm lucky enough to still have a cricket and Sussex loving father alive to share the good times and bad with and your delicate and un-mawkish sentiments have made me realise how lucky I am in that respect and how they won't last for much longer. It brought a tear to my eye mate- Thank you sir, that is more important than whining about losing to a bunch of students and county under-achievers- Fair play to them.! Might not be good for Sussex, but its surely good for cricket?

well said - I was fortunate to be there with my Dad yesterday - the ideal 82nd birthday present is a beuatiful summers day under that big tree at Arundel watching the cricket, its far too long since I've been there with him, and we thoroughy enjoyed it (if not the result).  There can't be (m)any other more picturesque places to watch cricket.

Well played the Unicorns - I thought after the initial Murtagh / Thompson onslaught that Durston and Knappett played very well keeping the scoreboard ticking over and always ahead of the run-rate; Durston in particular played some very well timed shots to bisect the field (not to mention his treatment of the Nash over).

  • Registered: 01-12-2009
  • Posts: 346

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

all i can say is dont forget 16 of the team last season where pro, so they wasnt going to be a push over

  • From: Robertsbridge
  • Registered: 20-09-2004
  • Posts: 2,816

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

club303 wrote:

if later in in summer we cant qualify then it may give us the chance to blood some of the younger players. we've played so few "dead rubber" games in last couple of years that this has been difficult to do.

I'm all for blooding new players. However, some of our young players have now been around for four seasons or more now and are past the being given a chance stage. At the end of this season we need to have a good clearout to cut the wage bill and clear the way for the next batch of youngsters.
We also need to focus a little more on the fast bowling department within the club and use some of the money saved to appoint a fast bowling coach to bring on the youngsters and look at other areas of Sussex and not just just Brighton College and Public Schools/Universities for quick bowlers.

  • From: Oxford
  • Registered: 17-09-2008
  • Posts: 2,971

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

As we may lose 4 or 5 seamers next year we will certainly need to find some from within.

  • From: Robertsbridge
  • Registered: 20-09-2004
  • Posts: 2,816

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

jonboy wrote:

As we may lose 4 or 5 seamers next year we will certainly need to find some from within.

You once asked why Durham produced loads of fast bowlers but Sussex none? I looked up a few of their bowlers and found that Graham Onions and Neil Killeen went to Comprensive schools. Liam Plunkett, Steve Harmison and Ben Harmison went to Secondary schools.
I'm starting to realise why Sussex haven't produced a bowler since James Kirtley in 1995, fifteen years ago now?

  • Registered: 30-04-2010
  • Posts: 22

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Kent Exile wrote:

I keep hearing that Monty is doing OK.  He is doing no more than either of our own young spinners could do - and they can bat and field - I saw Rayner and Monty fielding at Somerset and blimey what a difference.  What is the point in signing a big money player - pushing our own promising lads into the background - just so that he can do OK.

Exactly, the signing of Panesar totally baffled me, poor in the field, poor with the bat, and devoid of confidence with his bowling, so we make him our big summer signing! Oh yes and not forgetting that we have two very capable young spin bowlers in Rayner and Beer already on our staff patiently awaiting their opportunity!

  • Registered: 05-01-2008
  • Posts: 707

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Monty has got his championship wickets at under 30 in seam-friendly conditions plus scored his highest first class score since joining.  I think you are being very unfair on him.  I would rather Beer was playing in one day cricket, but I think the bigger problem has been that medium pace isn't penetrative enough in one day cricket in the middle overs.

  • Registered: 24-05-2010
  • Posts: 2

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

First time I have seen Sussex play this season and I thought they could not be faulted in terms of their batting.  I have to say that my money was on a 200 run victory after reaching 325.

I wrote a report for the normally football blog - The Ball is Round - http://theballisround.co.uk here

Also took some pictures - http://www.flickr.com/photos/61081400@N … 6185/show/

Next coming down for the opening T20 game against Somerset.

  • From: Fishersgate Maritime Village
  • Registered: 04-11-2006
  • Posts: 10,444

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Is there any point in going over old ground re Monty – we had a long debate over the winter and came to no overall consensus – but to my mind now he’s signed we should all get behind him – I could put a case that we lost v Northants because he wasn’t playing – but that would be equally unfair on the ones that were playing

  • From: United Kingdom
  • Registered: 11-05-2005
  • Posts: 1,568

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Well done John.  When I went to bed last night the Sussex innings had just finished and I went to sleep happy in the thought that we'd win that game comfortably. When I got up this morning and saw the result I was mortified. I was going to write a whole load of nasty things about a few people but I must thank you for putting everything into perspective.

I return from China on Wednesday and I hope that my return will bring us just a little more luck - not that luck has had that much to do with it! Look forward to seeing you guys soon. I've missed a whole load of things while I've been away but nothing more than my cricket!

Couldn't call myself a stick insect but now going in the right direction!
  • From: Sussex, living in Surrey
  • Registered: 05-10-2006
  • Posts: 3,631

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

oh come on sweatysock that's what messageboards are for so we can bang on and on ad infinitum about things.

But as Silas has already pointed out earlier on this thread Monty was the least expensive bowler yesterday on either side (along with Chris Brown / Wes Durston who I thought were the pick of their bowlers - slowed things down a bit and picked up some wickets) - everyone else went for 7+ an over.

  • Registered: 08-04-2007
  • Posts: 4,102

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

FiveMartlets wrote:

You once asked why Durham produced loads of fast bowlers but Sussex none?

We have three 20 year olds in Will Adkin, Lewis Hatchett and Jordan Rollings and 19 year old James Thorpe. The difference between us and Durham is that they give their fast bowlers an opportunity!

MMS I couldn't agree more about the signing of Panesar. I think it could prove to be one of Robbo's biggest mistakes.

FM - Your suggestion that Sussex are looking just at private schools for young talent is far from the truth. On the players thread I suggested 20 players between the age of 14-18 to keep an eye out for from 13 schools, 14 if you count Adkin! When you refer to players who have been here for four or more seasons who are you referring to? Aga and Liddle? Hodd is a good player, Rayner took five wickets last week, Thornely and Gatting are 22, Brown and Beer 21 and Machan and Wells 19.

Last edited by Sharkey (24-05-2010 20:17:10)

  • Registered: 24-04-2007
  • Posts: 918

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Mart/Sharkey - I have to laugh everything is always black and white with you and nothing in between.  Somebody is always a hero or a villain within a very short period of time.  Don't bother waiting to see if Monty returns to his best or even improves.  You've always been very critical of players who lose form - even the younger players.  I want Beer and Rayner to have opportunities to play first team cricket as well but you still have to say that Monty was in the England team for a reason.  I've seen countless cricketers have a bad patch or lose their way and return to form.  Why shouldn't it happen with Monty?  Even if Monty isn't earning his spot at the moment ahead of Rayner it doesn't mean that he should be written off for the rest of his career and was a waste of money.

Don't you think surely that if the Sussex young bowlers were prospects of the calibre of the Durham bowlers that they would get in the Sussex 1st team?  Thorpe may be the best prospect but he's not available right now.  Since Jason Lewry's retired there is at least a space or 2 for a younger bowler to force his way in.  We need to see big performances in the 2nd team from the young seamers if they're going to force their way in to the championship side.  It's possible that if there are any more defeats in the 40 over competition there could be one or two new faces brought in.

  • Registered: 08-04-2007
  • Posts: 4,102

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

I watched his bowling closely today and the problem is that it is too one paced and lacks variation. I hope Monty performances do improve for Robbo's sake as he is going to look a massive fool for signing him if he doesn't especially if Rayner and Beer leave in the meantine. I believe Panesar was a high risk signing which even if it came off and he was a success would likely end up with him in the England team! Was his signing done for cricketing or marketing reasons? At the moment the wickets probably aren't at their most conducive (although Rayner did take 5 wickets last week) so it will be interesting to see how many wickets Panesar finishes up with. Even if he doesn't perform I know there is absolutely no way Monty will be dropped by Robbo.

As for the seamers they can only produce the "big performances" in the second team if given the opportunity to do so. That means bowling more than two or four overs in an innings!

Last edited by Sharkey (24-05-2010 21:39:30)

  • Registered: 15-04-2007
  • Posts: 1,260

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Sharkey wrote:
FiveMartlets wrote:

You once asked why Durham produced loads of fast bowlers but Sussex none?

We have three 20 year olds in Will Adkin, Lewis Hatchett and Jordan Rollings and 19 year old James Thorpe. The difference between us and Durham is that they give their fast bowlers an opportunity!

Who's never had a chance then Mart ?  On the one hand you say Sussex have never produced a seam bowler in 15 years, now you're suggesting they have but haven't given them a chance.  Who then ?

Sharkey wrote:

MMS I couldn't agree more about the signing of Panesar. I think it could prove to be one of Robbo's biggest mistakes.

ZZZZ.  We'd never have guessed.

  • Registered: 08-04-2007
  • Posts: 4,102

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

We haven't produced a decent homegrown seamer in the last fifteen years and quite frankly haven't looked even remotely close to doing so either. However, this maybe about to changes as we have Adkin, Thorpe, Rollings and Hatchett who are aged 19/20.

  • Registered: 15-04-2006
  • Posts: 4,914

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Ardcarran wrote:

I'm definitely happy with the squad too, and esp. pleased with our bowling in the CC. Am also hopeful our bowling will come good in the 20-20 (hope we play Beer or Rayner).

The batting in the CC is the biggest worry, obviously, and you could argue that whilst our results have flipped from winning to losing, there hasn't been much change on that front with our top 6 struggling in all games except Surrey:

Glams: 144-5 (284) and 126-5 (311)
Surrey: 241-5 (416) and 33-0
Gloucs: 111-5 (152) and 119-5 (302)
Leics: 92-5 (392) and 64-0
M'sex: 135-5 (217) and 118-5 (321)
N'hants: 166-5 (175) and 170-5 (269)

Don't think there has been a single century stand by the top order.

So not the case, as pointed out by (I think) Ryfish on the Argus page:

Yards/Muzz vs Surrey (117)
Muzz/Thorn vs Glams (106)

And of course today's

  • Registered: 15-04-2007
  • Posts: 1,260

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Sharkey wrote:

We haven't produced a decent homegrown seamer in the last fifteen years and quite frankly haven't looked even remotely close to doing so either. However, this maybe about to changes as we have Adkin, Thorpe, Rollings and Hatchett who are aged 19/20.

Doesn't answer the question.  You implied we didn't give them opportunities, but are now saying there haven't been any.  roll

  • From: Stockwell
  • Registered: 15-09-2008
  • Posts: 538

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

Sharkey, these four young lads that you mention, where do you put them in relation to Aga and Liddle (injured again?). On a par? Or maybe just a season behind?

I get the sense that Aga might get another first team chance soon. Which one of the four is nearest to getting a first team outing and is it likely to be this year, in your view? Cheers.

  • Registered: 08-04-2007
  • Posts: 4,102

Re: ECB Unicorns vs Sussex 23rd May

It's not a case a of who has and hasn't had a chance more a case of ensuring that we make full use of the homegrown talent already at our disposal.