Sharks & Seagulls

Sussex Sharks have lost 7/7 games in the Mertro One Day Cup a format they were the first to dominate.

Personally – and I am sure I speak for many supporters – I’m not that disappointed. Some of the defeats were well-fought contests but, most importantly, we keep our powder dry for the key gamse in September: the T20 blast quarter final v Lancashire Lightning – who can field Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and (if fit) Jos Buttler. Sharks  can call upon Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson.

We also have key matches in the Championship against Yorkshire and a final game v Middlesex which may decide the title. Notwithstanding Robinson and John Simpson (35), most of the team is under 25 and the squad must be handled and rotated sensibly as Paul Farbrace is doing.

On Wednesday the Sharks lost to Essex by 5 wickets in the Metro Bank One Day Cup following defeat by Surrey on Saturday.

I tend to watch on the stream and enjoy the commentary of Adrian Harms.

He does miss the odd incident, but he’s Sussex through and through and very courteous to his fellow commentators from Essex. He also reports on Brighton & Hove Albion. Adrian will therefore know that Albion have signed a crop of youngsters – the most notable and costly being Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle – and Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord.

Pascal Groß, a terrific player  over the years, and Adam Lallana and Facundo Buonanotte are departures, whilst Stuttgart have signed Denis Undav permanently after a successful loan period.

However it all turns on new Head Coach Fabian Hurtzeler – at 31 the youngest ever in the Premiership.

He performed wonders at St Pauli but, as we all all know, the Premier League is a different ball game.