Killer Sharks

Sussex Sharks won their fourth game on the bounce at Lords last night against Middlesex taking us to the  top of the Southern Section. Every victory was away from Hove but today we return to our home ground to play the Kent Spitfires. Victory should ensure passage to the semis.

The hero last night in a one-sided match was Tyman Mills who took 4-22. Sadly he can only bowl with the white ball in the 20/20 format because of his chronic back. In reality he can only bowl one spell. We were lively in the field too constricting Middlesex to 134, a total we reached in 15.3 overs.

Luke Wright  has led the side from the front. It was his batting that saved the day against Gloucestershire  and he contributed most of our  runs. Yesterday he chipped in with 47 whilst Matt Machen made hay of the Middlesex bowling. Two exceptional catches and a run out were vital to the victory too.

I enjoyed some text banter with Douglas Heath, a Middlesex fan but no fan of  20/20. Just as well as Middlesex are  bottom of the section. To add my ha’porth to the perennial discussion of being there v watching it on telly, I opted for the latter not wishing to be vulnerable to unreliable Southern Railway. The commentary of Mike Atherton and Nasser  Hussein was informed and Matt Prior a welcome addition to the team made little secret  of his Sussex affiliation whilst providing local knowledge. After a dreary draw with Warwickshire at Edgbaston in the championship, a win at Lords, we play tonight to Hove and then off to Taunton to face Somerset in the championship. Coach Mark Robinson has had to manage his resources well. The coach was under pressure when our form plummeted but last month we revived, especially in the T20 blast. This is important as these games attract capacity crowds and for some reason best known to the authorities we play few championship games at Hove  in August. Thus a run in T20 will fill Hove with holiday visitors in town.