Archive for July 10th, 2006

Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles, 11 July

On Tuesday 11 July the Sussex Sharks play the Essex Eagles at the County Ground, Hove in their last zonal Twenty20 match. It’s been a fantastic series culminating in tomorrow’s game. Sussex still have a chance of going through to the Quarter Finals but they must beat the Eagles.

Play starts at 5.40pm and gates open at 3.30pm. There are plenty of tickets available to all who want to come and support the Sharks, we’ll even let Eagles supporters in! The weather forecast is good so there’s no better place to spend your Tuesday evening!

The Sussex Squad
RR Montgomerie, MJ Prior+,CJ Adams*, MH Yardy, CD Hopkinson, LJ Wright,RSC Martin-Jenkins,Mushtaq Ahmed, Yasir Arafat, RJ Kirtley, SA Heather, OP Rayner, MW Goodwin.

Mushtaq Ahmed is still suffering with a stiff neck. He will undergo a fitness test tomorrow to ascertain whether he will be able to play.

South Group Commentary – There is still all to play for in this final round of qualifying matches in this year’s Twenty20. Sussex could finish 2nd but not only have to beat Essex, but must also improve their Net Run Rate and rely on Kent avoiding defeat against Surrey. Anything less than a win for the Sharks means they can finish no higher than 3rd, and they will then need to look at the other qualifying groups to check their position relative to the other third-placed finishers.

Last Meeting Between the Sides:
Chelmsford – 28th June 2006 (Floodlit) – Essex won by 87 Runs Essex 196/6 (20 Overs; ten Doeschate 29*, Pettini 46, Middlebrook 43, Mushtaq 2/19) Sussex 109 (13.3 Overs; Arafat 34, Bichel 4/23)

History of the Fixture:
2003 21st June at Hove
Sussex 180/6 beat Essex 173/4 by 7 Runs

2004 15th July at Chelmsford (Fl)
Essex 134/8 lost to Sussex 136/1 by 9 Wkts

2005 22nd June at Hove (Fl)
Essex 109 lost to Sussex 110/1 by 9 Wickets

26th June at Chelmsford
Essex 151/5 beat Sussex 108 by 43 Runs

2006 28th June at Chelmsford (Fl)
Essex 196/6 lost to Sussex 109 by 87 Runs

Overall Record – Sussex 3, Essex 2

Worcestershire v Warwickshire, July 11

The Warwickshire Bears travel to take on Worcestershire Royals on Tuesday 11th July in front of a capacity crowd at New Road.

The Royals will be looking to maintain their record over the Bears, against whom they secured a four run victory last Friday at Edgbaston.

The final Twenty20 meeting to take place at New Road this season is sure to be a thrilling encounter, given the long-standing rivalry between the two local teams.

The match is a complete sell out and is expected to play out to over 5,000 spectators from 5.30pm.

Although tickets are no longer available to buy, full match commentary can be heard from BBC Hereford & Worcester and will keep you up to date as the action happens. This service, along with ECB online scorecards, is available through the WCCC website at www.wccc.co.uk