What a marvellous four days

A look back at the success that was the Australia visit

Well, that Australia game we all looked forward to for so long has now gone after four glorious days in the summer seaside sun of Hove ... and what a pleasure it has been.

Over the course of the four days:

• 25,000 people have streamed through the gates of the County Ground.
• over 1,000 people have enjoyed the delights of our Hospitality package.
• we have sold close to 20,000 pints of beer or lager.
• the Australian team have been fantastic guests and loved their trip to Hove.
• we have seen 1,412 runs and some wonderful cameos from both the Aussies and our Sussex heroes – namely Carl Hopkinson’s magnificent 115.
• we have watched Pepler Sandri dump Phil Hughes’ middle stump on its bum twice!
• we have seen a 'streaker' in a man-kini race straight into the loving arms of our Stewards.
• we have sent a huge number of new visitors home with a massive smile on their face and converted to the joys of our County Ground over London’s cricket stadiums.

Of course, there are one or two things to learn for next time such as member ticketing. The rows of empty seats in the pavilion have caused some frustration to some members who did not have their normal access rights, but these things are minor compared to the huge fun of the last four days.

So thank you to the Australian team for coming down, to the Australian supporters who travelled down and guzzled beer in support, the excellent effort from Mike Yardy and his Sussex team in making it such a competitive match, all our stewards, catering, operations and commercial team for making the event go without a hitch, to VB for their match sponsorship, but most of all to you! 

Without our sponsors, members, supporters and hospitality guests we would have nothing so you have all been joint stars of the show too. The response of the Sussex public and local businesses has been immense – we should all be very proud of what we have achieved!

Please keep an eye on the website – a pictorial diary of the four days will be online soon and commemorative scorecards will also be available in due course.

Thank you one and all!