End of the first day and it is not looking good. Spearman looks in good nick and hasn’t offered a chance. Windows had a confident LBW turned down against Ahmed, and has played and missed a few. Can we regroup and capture early wickets tomorrow? When will Chris Nash bowl?
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The view from the middle of the bottom: A Sussex ICC 2000 story
- Thread starter Dodgy
- Start date
What a difference a session makes, Kirtley had Spearman caught at slip by Adams, the introduction of Nash yielded instance dividends with a wicket in his first over. Ahmed seemed to be inspired by the youngster, claiming 2/60 and Nash 3/38 and Gloucestershire descended in a spin. The only disappointment was Prior dropping a straightforward edge from Sri Lankian leggie Bandara off Nash shortly before lunch.
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Complete and utter disaster. We struggled to break the eighth wicket partnership, with both Ahmed (4/89) and Nash (3/83) unlucky, and Bandara making the most of his life’s to record an important half century. The 94 run lead puts a different completion on the match, with Sussex now having to battle on a spinning pitch. With the game well advanced, the Sussex coaching staff will be hoping for a far better batting performance in their second innings – or rain!
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End of second day, Sussex are in a spot of bother. In-form opener Montgomerie missed a straight on from Averis early. Bandara is causing all sorts of problems, accounting for the experienced Goodwin and Adams (first ball!) Sussex will rely on Ward (unbeaten on 52) and debutant Hopkinson (18) to set a challenging total. How much will be enough? Will the rain come to Sussex’s rescue, or wash away any chance of a result for them?
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Any chances of recording a win, or batting Gloucestershire out of the game took a hammering on the third morning. James Averis struck early on his way to figures of 4/49 from 18 overs, rattling the timber of Ward (62), Hopkinson (28) and Martin-Jenkins (17). Martyn Ball chipped in with 2 wickets, and Bandara (4/32) came back to dispose of the tail, leaving Matt Prior undefeated on 20. This has left Gloucester with 98 runs to knock off to claim victory, and whilst the spinners bowled well in the first innings, the relatively small target should not pose any real difficulties. With rain forecast for the first two seasons of the fourth morning, another disappointing batting display from Sussex should see the game well and truly over by then.
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vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
Is this the fastest moving ICC story ever?
Great work, mate.
Great work, mate.
Despite Spearman’s early exit, and Naved-ul-Hasan and Kirtley bowling well, the target was never going to be big enough to allow the spinners to work their way through the Gloucestershire line up. Naved-ul-Hasan claimed two wickets, Kirtley and Nash one each as Gloucestershire eased passed the target inside 30 overs, and four and a bit seasons to spare. A major improvement will be needed in Sussex’s batting if they are going to record any wins this season.
MOM award deserved goes to Gloucestershire leg spinner Bandara, who bowled tightly in the Sussex first innings, scored a crucial half century give Gloucestershire a substantial first innings lead, served to break the mettle of Sussex spin pairing Ahmed and Nash and took wickets at regular intervals in the Sussex second dig to limit the lead.
MOM award deserved goes to Gloucestershire leg spinner Bandara, who bowled tightly in the Sussex first innings, scored a crucial half century give Gloucestershire a substantial first innings lead, served to break the mettle of Sussex spin pairing Ahmed and Nash and took wickets at regular intervals in the Sussex second dig to limit the lead.
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Eccles was philosophical after the heavy defeat inflicted by Gloucestershire, deciding instead to look at the positives. “Obviously I am disappointed to come away with only three points, but I was excited by the strides made by Chris Nash in the game. On a different day, Gloucestershire could have been out for 150 in the first innings, which would have put an entirely different spin on the game. We have plenty to work on to ensure we remain competitive in the four day arena.”
Eccles was seen lunching with Warwickshire’s Len Lumet, who has struggled for runs in the seconds since leaving Sussex Youth last season. “Just a friendly chat over a pork pie and a pint, nothing more, nothing less” says Eccles.
Ray Ringham, who left Sussex for Leicestershire last year, has also struggled, taken 8 wickets at nearly 29 in the second tier competition. However, he declined to comment when asked whether he had met Eccles since his departure from Hove.
The names Gavin Hamilton and Sean Ervine have also been mentioned in some circles as players Eccles is chasing hard for next season.
Whether he is still the coach at that stage, remains to be seen.
Ray Ringham, who left Sussex for Leicestershire last year, has also struggled, taken 8 wickets at nearly 29 in the second tier competition. However, he declined to comment when asked whether he had met Eccles since his departure from Hove.
The names Gavin Hamilton and Sean Ervine have also been mentioned in some circles as players Eccles is chasing hard for next season.
Whether he is still the coach at that stage, remains to be seen.
It's a fairly enjoyable way to waste away a weekend, although I am not sure how regularly I will be able to update it during the week. Thanks for your comments though!
sammy22 said:Nice one Dodgy, enjoying the way you are writing this. I also see you;ve kept us all in suspense as to team selection
Up to the end of the Super Club league (first five games) were played and written up yesterday, I just had to start the thread and post like a mad man today.
Played my first 4 day game today and got thrashed. Hope it isn't a sign of things to come.
Thanks for your support and words of encouragement though!
Played my first 4 day game today and got thrashed. Hope it isn't a sign of things to come.
Thanks for your support and words of encouragement though!
vic_orthdox said:
Sussex face up to Gloucestershire again in the first round of the National League - still smarting after being comprehensively outplayed over 3 days, Eccles is mindful of over-attacking, and glad that his team have the chance to make amends so soon. "The first up loss really hurt some of our senior players - I doubt they will make the same mistakes again."
When asked whether changes would be made for the one dayer, Eccles retorted "Wait until you see the team sheet."
Whatever the coach says, Sussex insiders are suggesting that no changes will be made. A source close to the team who did not wish to be identified said "Eccles does not have the luxury of a in form squad, those players not in the starting eleven are just up to playing first class cricket at this point in time."
Dave Eccles has the unfortunate problem that not too many of his player are in form, be they in the first eleven or not.
When asked whether changes would be made for the one dayer, Eccles retorted "Wait until you see the team sheet."
Whatever the coach says, Sussex insiders are suggesting that no changes will be made. A source close to the team who did not wish to be identified said "Eccles does not have the luxury of a in form squad, those players not in the starting eleven are just up to playing first class cricket at this point in time."
Dave Eccles has the unfortunate problem that not too many of his player are in form, be they in the first eleven or not.
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In a surprise move, eighteen year old medium pacer Luke Wright has been promoted into the playing team in place of Pakistani quick Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.
When asked about the change, Eccles, not one to mince words, stated that the overseas pro “Rana had been struggling for form and was not incisive enough at the start of the innings.”
Whether Wright will perform any better remains to be seen, but he does at least have the benefit of some solid, if unspectacular performances in the seconds.
When asked about the change, Eccles, not one to mince words, stated that the overseas pro “Rana had been struggling for form and was not incisive enough at the start of the innings.”
Whether Wright will perform any better remains to be seen, but he does at least have the benefit of some solid, if unspectacular performances in the seconds.
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Sussex have again won the toss, and will bowl first on a pitch that will help spinners and seam bowlers. Gloucestershire seem spin-laden, with left armer Fisher, leggie Bandara and offie Ball in the side. Big things are expected from Ahmed, Nash and the new boy Luke Wright. Punters have suggested that part-time spinners Goodwin and Adams may get a stint at the bowling crease
Great bowling from new lad Wright 2/16 (9) and Kirtley 3/28 (9) at the start of the innings, left Gloucestershire up against it at 30/5. A stabilizing partnership of 119 between Mark Hardinges (63 from 70) and Ian Fisher (unbeaten 72 from 103) gave Gloucestershire hope of a defendable target. After Hardinges had been caught lobbing a ball from Martin-Jenkins to Nash at cover, Fisher and Stephen Ahshead (19 from 15) accelerated the scoring.
Surprisingly, the spinners struggled with their control and failed to take wickets, Adams with 0/20 from two overs at the end of the innings probably best illustrated the lack of any purchase on the pitch.
Surprisingly, the spinners struggled with their control and failed to take wickets, Adams with 0/20 from two overs at the end of the innings probably best illustrated the lack of any purchase on the pitch.
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An excellent win from the Sussex team, characterised by tight bowling at the beginning of the Gloucestershire innings, and then patient batting from Montogomerie and Ward as they inched towards the target. The first wicket fell at 118, when Bandara caught the edge of Ward’s bat and Spearman pocketed it at slip. Montgomerie was the next to go for a solid 92 from 120 balls, spearing Hardinges to Windows at gully. Adams played a cameo of 17 off 10 in support of Goodwin’s 27 from 45, as Sussex made light work of a reasonable target.
Mark Hardinges opened well for Gloucestershire and was economical taking 1/35 from 9, and if it hadn’t been for Montgomerie’s 92, would surely have been awarded Man of the Match. Runs, however, flowed easily from the other end, with Jon Lewis proving expensive bowling nine on the trot for unflattering figures of 0/52.
Interestingly enough, there was only one wicket to be collected by the five spinners on display and on the whole, proved to be expensive.
Mark Hardinges opened well for Gloucestershire and was economical taking 1/35 from 9, and if it hadn’t been for Montgomerie’s 92, would surely have been awarded Man of the Match. Runs, however, flowed easily from the other end, with Jon Lewis proving expensive bowling nine on the trot for unflattering figures of 0/52.
Interestingly enough, there was only one wicket to be collected by the five spinners on display and on the whole, proved to be expensive.
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Refusing to get carried away after the stunning turn-around in fortunes after the one-day victory against Gloucestershire - Eccles was immediately focused on the next task in hand, Leicestershire at home. Ray Ringham can definately expect to be watched in the nets.
Eccles faces increasing media scrutiny as he allegedly looks to rebuild the Sussex squad with Koplak players for the 2006 season, rather than nurture England born talent.
Reacting angrily to these claims, "Dodgy" commented "I have been tasked with rebuilding the squad and will do so by any means at my disposal - any other considerations are very much secondary. I want to build a winning team and instill a sense of pride of playing for the Sussex Cricket Club."
Speculation was fueled by Eccles again meeting with Sean Ervine, who is off contract with Hampshire at the end of the current season, and Gavin Hamilton, the Scottish born all-rounder, who played for England whilst at Yorkshire; currently out of sorts and plying his trade in the Durham seconds. Also being touted to play out of Hove next year is another Zimbabwe-born player, Grant Flower, who has not taken any part in Essex's campaign to date.
Whether the England selectors agree with his policy remains to be seen.
Reacting angrily to these claims, "Dodgy" commented "I have been tasked with rebuilding the squad and will do so by any means at my disposal - any other considerations are very much secondary. I want to build a winning team and instill a sense of pride of playing for the Sussex Cricket Club."
Speculation was fueled by Eccles again meeting with Sean Ervine, who is off contract with Hampshire at the end of the current season, and Gavin Hamilton, the Scottish born all-rounder, who played for England whilst at Yorkshire; currently out of sorts and plying his trade in the Durham seconds. Also being touted to play out of Hove next year is another Zimbabwe-born player, Grant Flower, who has not taken any part in Essex's campaign to date.
Whether the England selectors agree with his policy remains to be seen.