Charles Randall: Sussex out to stop the rot (2 July 1997)

Wednesday 2 July 1997

Sussex out to stop the rot

By Charles Randall

SUSSEX, bottom of the Sunday league table and dropping like a stone towards the lowest rung of the championship, have made another major change before the four-day game against Worcestershire, which starts at Arundel today.

Tony Pigott, their chief executive and director of cricket, has been given more influence in first-team affairs in an attempt to reverse an alarming slide.

Not much was expected of Peter Moores`s team after the exodus of players last winter - following which the committee were turfed out in March and the secretary sacked - but the heavy defeat by Glamorgan at Swansea, all out for 54 and 67, was a humiliation.

Pigott will be leaving his office desk to accompany the Sussex side at all matches and he has joined the selection panel of Moores, Desmond Haynes, the coach, and Chris Waller, second-team coach.

The switch appears to compromise the authority of Haynes, whose managerial role looks like being watered down to an oldfash- ioned technical coach. The move was instigated by Robin Marlar, the chairman, who was keen to take action after the Glamorgan game.

He said: "When I became chairman, I said the screws would be tightened if things weren`t going well. I don`t like seeing scorecards like the one at Swansea for three successive days."

Pigott said: "It`s very much a hands-on role and it will allow Peter Moores to concentrate on captaincy and Des to work on coaching." Haynes said: "I`ve given up playing in South Africa to concentrate on my job. I intend to see it through."

Sussex, who have won only once at Arundel in seven championship games, have recalled Robin Martin-Jenkins, the Durham and British Universities all-rounder.

Worcestershire have offered a six-week trial to Bas Zuiderent, a Rotterdam student, who scored 99 for Holland in a NatWest Trophy first round last week. He made 54 against England in the World Cup last year.

Ryan Sidebottom, a left-arm seam bowler and son of Arnie, the former England bowler, is in line to make his first-class debut for Yorkshire at Leicester.

Alan Igglesden, the former England fast bowler, could make a comeback for Kent against Northamptonshire at Maidstone if Dean Headley and Mark Ealham are required by England.

Warwickshire wicketkeeper Keith Piper will be restored to their championship team after serving a one-match suspension for a drugs offence. He takes over from Tony Frost against Surrey at Edgbaston.

Mike Hendrick has had his contract as Ireland`s coach extended for two more years.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)