Testimonial dinner for Chris Nash at Hove
Last night I attended a testimonial dinner for Sussex stalwart Chris Nash. The testimonial has lesser importance these days particularly those who can play t20 around the world. Take Sussex pace bowler Tymal Mills. Despite his inability to bowl more than one session a few years ago because of his chronic back he now trousers in the dosh in the IPL and is a millionaire. Chris Nash, Horsham born and aged 32 is a more worthy beneficiary, a one county Sussex man and he is still a valued and valuable member of the team particularly in batting partnership with Luke Wright.
With the South Africans scheduled to play a warm up game today at Hove prior to the ODI v England on Monday week, but because of rain unlikely to play the full 50 overs, some of the Proteas attended the function. Sussex have a South African coach in Mark Davis, players Vernon Phillander, David Wiese and Stiile van Zyl so this may have something to do with their presence. The format was the traditional one of a cash bar, dinner, the quiz game of Heads and Tails, ‘q and a’ and open and silent auction. You can spend the whole evening opening your wallet for drinks, raffle tickets, a tenner for heads and tails. I go to bed early so by 9-45pm I was ready to leave.
Sussex failed to win their last two Royal London games so the county that won the first two Gillette Cup games will not make the quarter finals in its latest sponsor representation. We now have a cycle of 4 day championship matches before the T20. We will be heartened by the return of Chris Jordan and Vernon Phillander, those two and Tymal Mills will certainly make for a pacier attack. Chris Jordan, a superb fielder will be a great asset in the white ball game. We still,however seem a long way from the trophy laden noughties.
