Sussex v Kent

Yesterday I went to Sussex v Kent at Hove with an old friend of mine, a barrister who is deeply knowledgeable on cricket. It is a game that Sussex must win if we are to catch Essex for the only promotion berth but the slim chances were made even more unlikely by the absence of Luke Wright, Ed Joyce Jefre Archer and Chris Jordan. A debut was handed to 17 year old prodigy Tom Haines who is at Hurstpierpoint School. It seemed cruel to expose the debutant to opening the innings and he was soon back in the pavilion with no runs to his name.

Whatever now thin chances existed, these were evaporated Sussex stumbled to 9-3. Moisture in the air and lively bounce sent Sussex reeling and we were all out for 180. Only Ben Brown and Craig Cauchopa made respectable scores. By stumps Kemt were 31 runs ahead. the highly rated Sam Billings scored a classy 64 but as my friend observed as a wicketkeeper he has to get ahead of Jonny Bairstow and Josh Buttler for a test place.

There were mutterings that as more than 15 wickets fell in one day Sussex could be reported over the wicket but nearly 400 runs were scored So this seems unlikely. Sussex in particular seemed to be in difficulty in reading the faster ball from the sea end.

Hove on a hot day is such a wonderful place to watch cricket. Fans and friends stop by the Players Club pass and chat. The issues of cricket are discussed in a  cerebral way without the hype of football conversation. Afterwards my friend and I strolled by the seaside  from Hove in the warm evening air. It was a wonderful day but one which made Sussex’s stay in the second division next season all the more certain.