South African flavour fuels revival hopes
ESPNcricinfo previews Sussex's prospects for the 2017 season
Alan Gardner
04-Apr-2017
Stiaan van Zyl has given up on a South Africa career to sign for Sussex on a Kolpak • AFP
Last season:
Championship: 4th Div 2; NatWest Blast: 6th South Group; Royal London Cup: 9th South Group
In: Laurie Evans (Warwickshire), Jofra Archer (UK passport), Stiaan van Zyl, David Wiese (both Kolpak)
Out: Craig Cachopa, Fynn Hudson-Prentice (both released), Lewis Hatchett (retired)
Overseas: Vernon Philander (SA, April-June), Ross Taylor (NZ, T20)
Championship: 4th Div 2; NatWest Blast: 6th South Group; Royal London Cup: 9th South Group
In: Laurie Evans (Warwickshire), Jofra Archer (UK passport), Stiaan van Zyl, David Wiese (both Kolpak)
Out: Craig Cachopa, Fynn Hudson-Prentice (both released), Lewis Hatchett (retired)
Overseas: Vernon Philander (SA, April-June), Ross Taylor (NZ, T20)
2016 in a nutshell
Destined to be quickly forgotten. Sussex's relegation on the final day of the 2015 season was a shock to the system at Hove but many expected them to mount a serious challenge to go straight back up. Their second match in Division Two was a mini-classic against the eventual champions, Essex, who batted out for a draw on 266 for 7 having been set 329 to win; these two, surely, would be battling each other to the end. Sussex's push never truly materialised, however. They drew their opening five games and suffered badly with injuries - captain, Luke Wright, did not play in the Championship until June, while the pace attack was severely depleted. In the T20 Blast, meanwhile, Tymal Mills' eye-catching contributions could not get Sussex into the quarter-finals and they finished bottom of their Royal London Cup group.
Destined to be quickly forgotten. Sussex's relegation on the final day of the 2015 season was a shock to the system at Hove but many expected them to mount a serious challenge to go straight back up. Their second match in Division Two was a mini-classic against the eventual champions, Essex, who batted out for a draw on 266 for 7 having been set 329 to win; these two, surely, would be battling each other to the end. Sussex's push never truly materialised, however. They drew their opening five games and suffered badly with injuries - captain, Luke Wright, did not play in the Championship until June, while the pace attack was severely depleted. In the T20 Blast, meanwhile, Tymal Mills' eye-catching contributions could not get Sussex into the quarter-finals and they finished bottom of their Royal London Cup group.
2017 prospects
Sussex have been active over the winter in strengthening their squad, which has an increased South African flavour thanks to the Kolpak signings of Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese. Their compatriot Vernon Philander will also be available for the first few weeks of the season and Sussex will hope his incisive swing bowling can help get them off to a better start. Laurie Evans has come in from Warwickshire and ought to prove a classy addition in Division Two, while Ross Taylor is expected back for the T20 Blast, having been their leading run-scorer in the competition last year. They will be unable to lean on former captain Ed Joyce as much as in previous seasons, however, as he embarks on a novel job-sharing arrangement with Ireland, while Chris Jordan will miss the start of the season at the IPL.
Sussex have been active over the winter in strengthening their squad, which has an increased South African flavour thanks to the Kolpak signings of Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese. Their compatriot Vernon Philander will also be available for the first few weeks of the season and Sussex will hope his incisive swing bowling can help get them off to a better start. Laurie Evans has come in from Warwickshire and ought to prove a classy addition in Division Two, while Ross Taylor is expected back for the T20 Blast, having been their leading run-scorer in the competition last year. They will be unable to lean on former captain Ed Joyce as much as in previous seasons, however, as he embarks on a novel job-sharing arrangement with Ireland, while Chris Jordan will miss the start of the season at the IPL.
In charge
After a testing first year in charge, Mark Davis will be hoping for better this time around. Succeeding Mark Robinson was always likely to be tough but the extent of Sussex's decline, particularly in white-ball cricket, has become increasingly apparent. In Wright, they have a captain committed to turning things around - doubly so after the disappointment of last season - and capable of leading from the front with his performances. Former England fly-half Rob Andrew has taken over as chief executive but Mike Yardy's return as batting coach may prove equally significant in reviving fortunes.
After a testing first year in charge, Mark Davis will be hoping for better this time around. Succeeding Mark Robinson was always likely to be tough but the extent of Sussex's decline, particularly in white-ball cricket, has become increasingly apparent. In Wright, they have a captain committed to turning things around - doubly so after the disappointment of last season - and capable of leading from the front with his performances. Former England fly-half Rob Andrew has taken over as chief executive but Mike Yardy's return as batting coach may prove equally significant in reviving fortunes.
Key player
Without the certainty of Joyce's runs at the top of the order, Sussex need someone to step up and ensure there is a not a shortfall. Chris Nash showed the benefit of working with Gary Kirsten by scoring 1256 runs last year, while van Zyl comes into the county season on the back of 709 runs at 55.39 in South Africa's Sunfoil Series, putting him fifth on the charts. Van Zyl made a century on Test debut two winters ago and while choosing to go down the Kolpak route has ended his international career, his three-year deal with Sussex could prove mutually beneficial.
Without the certainty of Joyce's runs at the top of the order, Sussex need someone to step up and ensure there is a not a shortfall. Chris Nash showed the benefit of working with Gary Kirsten by scoring 1256 runs last year, while van Zyl comes into the county season on the back of 709 runs at 55.39 in South Africa's Sunfoil Series, putting him fifth on the charts. Van Zyl made a century on Test debut two winters ago and while choosing to go down the Kolpak route has ended his international career, his three-year deal with Sussex could prove mutually beneficial.
Bright young thing
Like fellow Bajan Jordan, Jofra Archer has the attributes to become a star down in Hove. Five wickets on debut against the touring Pakistan side in the middle of last summer signalled Sussex had a talent on their hands (one with a UK passport, too) and he finished the season behind only the redoubtable Steve Magoffin for Championship poles, as well as scoring a maiden fifty while adding 140 in partnership with Jordan at Colchester. Also look out for Bermuda allrounder Delray Rawlins, who made an impression on England Under-19s' winter tour of India.
Like fellow Bajan Jordan, Jofra Archer has the attributes to become a star down in Hove. Five wickets on debut against the touring Pakistan side in the middle of last summer signalled Sussex had a talent on their hands (one with a UK passport, too) and he finished the season behind only the redoubtable Steve Magoffin for Championship poles, as well as scoring a maiden fifty while adding 140 in partnership with Jordan at Colchester. Also look out for Bermuda allrounder Delray Rawlins, who made an impression on England Under-19s' winter tour of India.
ESPNcricinfo verdict
There is a good breadth of ability and experience in Sussex's squad and their first-choice Championship XI might only be rivalled by Nottinghamshire in Division Two. However, they need performances on the pitch, not paper - as well as some luck with injuries. If Philander can get their campaign off to a flyer and the likes of Archer, George Garton and Ollie Robinson step up to provide support for Magoffin, they should push for promotion. Restoring their limited-overs prowess might have to take a backseat, though.
There is a good breadth of ability and experience in Sussex's squad and their first-choice Championship XI might only be rivalled by Nottinghamshire in Division Two. However, they need performances on the pitch, not paper - as well as some luck with injuries. If Philander can get their campaign off to a flyer and the likes of Archer, George Garton and Ollie Robinson step up to provide support for Magoffin, they should push for promotion. Restoring their limited-overs prowess might have to take a backseat, though.
Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship: 10-3; NatWest Blast: 16-1; Royal London Cup: 12-1
Alan Gardner is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick