Sussex Sharks rampant

Last night I saw Sussex Sharks easily dispose of Glamorgan – the bottom side in the Southern division – for themselves to go top.

Sussex had no Jefra Archer who was busy playing for Sussex seconds in Blackstone Gloucestershire, taking 6-27 and scoring a century in preparation for his inevitable recall for the Ashes Lords Test.

Also missing was his mentor, Chris Jordan, and leggie Paul Beer who holds the Sharks record of 34 wickets in the T20 format.

Glamorgan set off at a clip, David Lloyd scoring 50 but the Shark bowling attack soon reined them in. Sussex are particularly athletic in the field.

Phil Salt took 2 fine catches on the run.

By contrast when Glamorgan fielded they had a few carrying timber and were far less effective.

Glamorgan posted 146 and Sussex reached that total with Salt unbeaten at 78 with 39 balls to spare.

In the queue at the entrance gate, I heard a couple of Sussex fans contrast the T20 performances to the more lacklustre red ball championship ones.

They wondered why and I think I know the answer.

There is simply not the same interest in red ball among professional cricketers. A few years ago a county player relied on a paltry salary, what work he could get in the winter, a pot from his testimonial, and if he was lucky a coaching gig in a public school or umpiring. There were few media options. Now a young cricketer like Sussex’s Tymal Mills or Jefra Archer can tour the world playing T20 and in these latter cases are already millionaires.

This obviously does not apply to all but reflects a seismic shift in career priorities.