Sussex Sharks lose to Hampshire in T20

For the second time in 4 days Sussex Sharks lost a T20 game by 18 runs, this time to Hampshire. We were confident with the opening England T20 speedsters, Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills, Kiwi Ross Taylor leading the side, and Luke Wright – a prolific T20 cricketer – we would be a force in the NatWest blast but this is looking unlikely now. Hampshire got off to strong platform with James Vince and Rilee Rossouw putting on 109 for the first wicket assisted by profligate bowling and poor fielding. They posted a total of 188. Sussex fell 18 runs short.

Playing for both sides were Kolpak players. These are mainly South Africans who renounce the right to play internationally for their country for a county contract. Kyle Abbott of Hampshire was a fixture on the South African side and rejected this for a Hampshire contract. There is a feeling, rightly or wrongly, that a white South African cricketer will fall victim to a quota policy.

It’s interesting and ironic therefore to reflect on the career of another South African Mike Proctor denied any proper test career beyond the seven he played all against Australia because of South Africa’s ban.

He moved to Gloucestershire and said openly that his views on apartheid were changed by this country. He was a world class all rounder and would feature in a Gloucestershire all time eleven with the likes of W.G. Grace and Wally Hammond.

I do not really enjoy T20. I can’t take the loud music, the terrible stroke play and the drinking culture but I admit it’s here to stay and will introduce a younger audience who would find the red ball game too tediously long. I also pay a large sub for membership of a so called exclusive club and don’t expect to queue for an almost inedible burger.

I am also member of the Brighton HAFC executive club. I got their new terms and conditions. Here I was informed I must wear “smart business attire”, whatever that might be. At least we are credited with enough sartorial capability in our Sussex CCC club to be left to our own judgment and not to have a dress code enforced by some rude security officers. The cricket stadium was only half full land I wonder if T20s will prove the panacea to cricket’s financial problems.