‘Traditionalist’ Andrew recognises value of T20
John Roberts talks cricket’s survival and the rise of the short form game with the new CEO of Sussex
The standard of most T20 players is incredibly high. You’re seeing things you wouldn’t have 20 years ago
Walking around his new domain, Rob Andrew is chuckling that they have him down on the Hove internal telephone list as Bob. Otherwise, the new Sussex chief executive is finding it a remarkably smooth jump from his perch at the top of international rugby across to cricket.
Andrew, 54, spent three decades in rugby as a player, capped 71 times for England, and then at the top administering the game until his surprise appointment before Christmas to succeed Zac Toumazi as Sussex CEO.
“I’ve spent the first three months finding out how everything works here,” he said, “but most sports clubs are much the same. I’ve found my way around now and can see that Sussex is a well-run club.
“Rugby and cricket are very similar culturally, with the same kind of people, but perhaps the biggest challenge with cricket is its complexity with three formats of the game.
“Also, you have to deal with players competing in competitions all over the world. And then one joins a Test team and you never see him, so you need to have a useful academy to bring in young players and the one here is pretty strong.”
Biggest googly being bowled to them down on the South Coast is the ECB new city-based T20 contest due to start, naturally, in 2020.
Eight city teams will be involved and as things stand Sussex are not one of the chosen ones.
After a momentous Lord’s meeting last month all 18 counties still have a final postal vote on whether, as looks likely, it goes ahead. However Andrew says firmly: “I leave that to our board. A lot of work has been done on the concept. Sussex have argued all along that certain key things must be protected for all 18 teams, not just the eight.
“We want protection for the County Championship, existing T20 Blast and some cricket when the city competition is on and a lot of the protection Sussex have asked for is being considered now.
“As I say, the Sussex approach is a decision for the board, but I have a feeling the new competition will go ahead. It’s easy to be negative about something new. Who, 15 years ago, would have imagined the success of T20?”
What might soften Sussex hearts to the whole idea is the ECB carrot of £1.2m being held out to all 18 counties from the new city biff-bang proceeds. Last season Sussex made a modest £1,000 profit, a Midas touch compared to some.
Andrew says: “We are fortunate to have no debt, but £1.2m could make a significant difference here with bringing in players, managing the ground and the struggle to make ends meet.”
Part of that struggle has been the whittling away of much-loved Sussex out-grounds. Horsham last year was the latest to go through lack of a sponsor with only Arundel now hosting a county match, although Eastbourne is making a partial comeback with a one-day game.
“Out-grounds are valuable for taking the game around the county,” admits Andrew, “and Arundel is part of Sussex cricket. It’s something we need to look at.”
Before his stellar rugby career Andrew played cricket for Cambridge University and Yorkshire 2nd XI as a left-hand bat and useful right-arm, offbreak bowler who once dismissed Michael Atherton for a duck.
He admits: “I am a traditionalist. I grew up with Test cricket and the longer form of the game and I loved the combination of mental and physical battle, but I do enjoy T20.
“The range of skills and athleticism and some of the fielding is out of this world. The standard of most T20 players is incredibly high. Like in rugby and soccer you are seeing things you would never have known 20 years ago. It’s different skills. Some of the shot making is extraordinary.”
Alas, when many players try some of those eye-boggling hits in the county game and even Test matches they can easily get themselves out and Andrew adds: “Now some are not capable of transferring those skills any more, but we mustn’t get too doom laden.
“We have two sports now; the long one and the noisy, exciting short form. Cricket is not in a good place. It has been dying so it has to adapt. T20 draws in the youngsters and gets them interested.
“Without them in a few years cricket could disappear. T20 can be the financial saviour of the county game. It’s a very appealing product.”
On day one as the rugby new man touching down at Hove, Andrew says he met all the staff and now he’s getting to know the players, too. It’s all sporty, matey stuff, apparently, no looking up to the CEO: “Nobody is in awe of me. All that’s out of the window these days.”
Just as well, since Andrew still wants to keep his cricketing hand in as a player.
He said: “I do like to do a bit still. I had a few games last year for the MCC and Lord’s Taverners and I’m hoping to have a net here at Hove if I can get the time.”
With the players onside, he followed up by meeting supporters the other day at the club AGM, not all of them too happy after Sussex’s poor showing last summer when they missed promotion after starting out as favourites.
“Obviously supporters were disappointed and we’re working on building a strong side, but these things can take time. However, financially, half the county clubs would love to be in our position.”
Thoroughly immersed now in his new cricket world, Andrew has not entirely kicked rugby into touch. He still lives near Twickenham – “reverse commuting which is working so far” – sees occasional games and keeps fit playing tennis and golf, but now he is out running two days a week as well.
He says: “I’ve got to do more. I’m training to do eight miles of the Edinburgh Marathon for Parkinsons.”
He has no plans to move to Hove and says: “My wife Sara is happy where she is as well.” Indeed he laughs at the thought of her even taking to one of Hove’s renowned deck chairs to watch cricket: “Definitely not.”
Pity. The county game needs every spectator it can find, and now it’s a big part of Andrew’s job attracting them to Hove.