Sharks won’t surface

Losing last night to Kent Spitfires ended Sussex Sharks’ T20 campaign as they now have no chance of reaching the quarter finals.

There was a slim chance after the victory on Thursday against leaders Surrey ending the latter’s unbeaten record.

In truth it was a match that Surrey lost rather than Sussex won.

After 90-1 Sussex collapsed to 172. With Will Jacks and Laurie Evans established at the crease – and going well – it looked a Surrey procession. Then both wickets fell and the tail did too, giving the Sharks an unlikely victory and a slim chance of reaching the quarters.

Kent Spitfires are bottom of the Southern Division but no whipping boys.

Joe Denly, in that gap between Test class and solid county performer, played particularly well, supported by skipper Sam Billings, another in that long line of wicketkeeper batsman.

It’s a sadness for me that this is no longer a specialist position and the best technical keeper – Ben Foakes – will only be assured of selection if he scores runs.

It’s also sad to see the decline of the Sharks who once featured Chris Jordan, Phil Salt and the big South African slugger all-rounder David Wiese, but now are a mix of veterans like Steve Finn and Ravi Bopara and youngsters like Henry Crocombe who struggle.

Oddly though Finn went for runs (39), George Garton was not given a bowl.

Over at the Albion, Yves Bissouma has gone to Spurs for £25m.

He only has a year on his contract and is the subject of a rape charge which might explain why Chairman Tony Bloom, who drives a hard bargain, did not hold out for more.

I expect him to do so if Manchester City come a-calling for talented Spanish left back Cucurella.