Sussex recover

They say Melbourne has all 4 seasons in one day. Brighton gave a passable impersonation of the Australian city yesterday as we had high wind, driving rain and sunshine affecting play in the crucial bottom of the table clash with Somerset. After a jittery start in which we were at onestrage 172-6 , Ashir Zaidi and Mike Yardy rallied with 90 and 60 respectively. We finshed at 303-6 crucially with 3 batting points. If we can get over 400 which is more that feasible with Chris Jordan next up we should finish ahead of Somerset in points in the event of a draw ( 5 points). This is vital as further bad weather to interrupt play is predicted.

Zaidi is fundamentally a slow bowler that can turn it a it but he has emerged as an effective counter offensive batman with his brisk 90 off 93 balls. We are all so happy too for Mike Yardy in his last game at Hove for his contribution to the rearguard action.

Hove is such a delightful place to watch cricket, the only ground by the sea. We are fearful that the ECB in their mission to improve the white ball game and the finial muscle lying with the counties with test grounds that county cricket is under threat. The proposal that the fixtures are reduced and it’s no longer each play all is plainly daft. The team that avoid Yorkshire Clealry would have a clear advantage. Also when we look back over a summer when we won the Ashes and gave both finalists, Ausrilan and New Zealnd more than run for the money in the ODIs is cricket in such bad shape that these reforms are required?