Sussex coach hails Dwayne

Coach Mark Robinson today hailed the impact of all-rounder Dwayne Smith as Sussex began their bid for back-to-back Championship wins.

Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla may have been the difference with a maiden hundred and eight wickets when the county beat Worcestershire on Sunday to claim only their third Championship win since they last won the title in 2007.

But West Indies’ all-rounder Smith has made an impression of his own since making his four-day debut against Yorkshire last week.

At New Road the 26-year-old from Barbados took three wickets on an unresponsive pitch and made 77 batting at No.7.

Robinson said: “Dwayne has made an enormous contribution since he came into the side.

“He was the best seam bowler on either side in both innings by a long way.

“He showed aggression and pace and a desire to make things happen. He is properly into his role in the side now and has brought into the Sussex ethos.”

Smith signed a three-year contract last year but only played in one-day cricket in 2008.

But with Luke Wright on England duty he has taken on the all-rounder’s role and Robinson believes one of the most naturally gifted players on the staff can make an even greater impact in the future.

He added: “When we signed him he was a player for the future – we didn’t really sign him for last year.

“He is such a quiet person around the dressing room so to see him playing with that passion is exciting.

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