Sussex sport week

It’s hardly been a great week so far for Sussex sport.

On Monday the Sharks lost in the T20 to Essex Eagles, a side unlikely to qualify from the Southern Division (Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Hampshire, Essex and ourselves).

That Monday night Brighton lost 1-3 to Chelsea.

We dominated possession but what few chances came our way we did not take; the difference  in class was palpable.

You might say Brighton cannot afford a refurb costing £200m except Chelsea played four players from their Academy (Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Christensen and  Reece-Mills ) and we three (Dunk, White and March).

Our main problem is up front with 2 pint-sized strikers Aaron Connolly and Neil Maupay.

I was concerned that Adam Lallana came off with an injury given his history of long lay offs .

Sometimes this can be psychological so a player mentally cannot overcome injury if he has suffered in the past. This seems to affect senior players worse. The cynical might say a senior player on high wages is in no hurry to resume fitness.

Brighton have spirit and are well organised.  Their priority is to get points off the likes of WBA and West Ham but I went to bed concerned.

Last night the Sharks played Surrey at the Oval.

It was a glorious warm evening and if fans had been allowed in, they would have a splendid time.

Sussex scored 165 with evergreen Luke Wright, 34 now but still a formidable T20 batter, scoring 44. Surrey made 167 with 4 wickets to spare.

It’s thrown the Southern Division open. 4 points separate the top 4 teams.

I had one eye and ear on the ODI and, when it ended in Aussie victory, the TMS team praised the quality of cricket both red and white ball this summer that has done much to enhance our life in these extraordinary times.