Sharks lose in quarters
Sussex Sharks lost their T20 blast quarter final to Lancashire Lightning by 45 runs at Hove.
Lancashire posted 140, a low target. However in reply we only amassed 95, only two getting into double figures.
It was an ignominious performance to mark the final game of Dizzy Gillespie before he returns to South Australia as head of their cricket association.
For all his achievements in winning the County Championship at Yorkshire and the Bash with Adelaide he made little impact with us.
When he joined 2 years ago we were in the second division of the County Championship and still are.
We have not reached any final in the white ball.
In fact, to be as blunt as Gillespie likes to be, I do not see much progress let alone achievement.
Who will Sussex turn to now?
Andy Flower lives in Brighton and would make an excellent coach.
Matt Prior will throw his cap in the ring but he lacks experience.
In terms of squad we desperately lack a reliable middle order scorer like Ed Joyce and we are top heavy with pace bowlers. We are going to lose Jofra Archer for Test duty and he and Chris Jordan to the national white ball teams and IPL.
The deeper issue is that Sussex is in the comfort zone.
When I speak to Alan Tanner I see a comparison with nice but soft Fulham.
Invariably Sussex players are friendly guys, Luke Wright who skippers the T20 and Ben Brown the 4 day captain are as affable as anyone you could meet.
Brighton with its carefree ambience of clubs, bars and restaurants is a party place . Famously Monty Panesar was caught urinating down on a bouncer on the sea front road.
I cannot see a quick or even a slow fix.
