New faces the key to success for Sussex
MARK Davis is hoping his new recruits can propel Sussex to the top as they look to become challengers across all formats.
The Division Two side have recruited South African all-rounders Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese under the Kolpak ruling, while fast bowler Vernon Philander will be with Sussex for the first part of the summer.
Laurie Evans has also moved to the south coast from Warwickshire while young prospects George Garton, Jofra Archer and Stuart Whittingham were all given opportunities last season.
Coach Davis said: “We were lacking in certain skill sets and we think with our recruitment we have addressed that. We wanted players who can play in all formats. We have done that with Stiaan, David and Laurie Evans, who we’ve signed from Warwickshire.
“We wanted to improve our white-ball cricket and those three will help us, as will Philander for the OneDay Cup and Ross Taylor in the T20 Blast.
“Most importantly we wanted all-rounders who can balance our team. Last year, mainly because of injuries, we were almost picking an old-fashioned team with six batsmen and four bowlers. It didn’t feel like we were moving with the times because of no fault of our own but we are making progress now.”
As well as Whittington, Garton and Archer, who played 16 Championship games between them in 2017, Delray Rawlins has also impressed.
Rawlins, 19, was the star batsman on England U19 tour of India this winter making two centuries and scores of 96 and 70, and Davis is excited by his prospect.
He added: “He went from being on the outside of our squad to getting a contract and being the stand-out player with England U19s. He has come from nowhere and I can definitely see him being involved this season.”
TCP VERDICT
You can’t blame Sussex for investing in some experience, and it’s pleasing to see that they will continue to invest in youth. Get the two mixed correctly and it could be a very successful season at Hove. The youngsters will only learn from the more experienced faces.