Blast from the past: Ed Joyce and Chris Nash

Tickets for all seven of our home Vitality Blast fixtures went on sale yesterday, and today sees us continue our Blast from the past feature. In the spotlight, Ed Joyce and Chris Nash...

 

ED JOYCE 

Appearances: 13

Runs: 169

Average: 24.14

Highest: 41*

Having joined Sussex in November 2008, Ed Joyce enjoyed a strong first season in Hove, and he played a vital role in our triumphant twenty20 Cup campaign.

The batsman was ever-present during the 2009 tournament, playing in all 13 games and scoring 169 runs along the way. Joyce opened his account by hitting 26 runs in our opening day defeat at Hampshire, but helped the Sharks bounce back in their next game with a quickfire 15 as we beat rivals Surrey.

Joyce added another 29 runs to his tally in the next game, as the Sharks overcame Essex, before the Irishman produced his best performance of the campaign, firing 41 off as many balls during the win over Middlesex at Lord’s.

That victory secured our place in the quarter-finals, with Warwickshire the visitors to Hove. Joyce could only manage seven that night, but a place at Finals Day was secured as the Sharks won by 63 runs.

At Edgbaston, Joyce only added eight runs to his tournament total, but they were crucial as we conquered Northamptonshire, before going on to be crowned Champions.

That winning feeling! Mike Yardy and Ed Joyce celebrate victory

CHRIS NASH

Appearances: 10

Runs: 216

Average: 43.20

Highest: 56*

Chris Nash enjoyed a stellar Sussex career, and showed moments of brilliance in his 10 twenty20 Cup appearances in 2009.

After a disappointing defeat in our first game, Nash led the charge from the top of the order in our second match, against Surrey. From 24 deliveries, the batsman scored an impressive 40, which helped guide the side to our first win of the tournament.

Further important performances included a solid 17 against Essex, and a vital 56 in the win over Hampshire, as we safely reached the quarter-final stage and Nash continued to add to his tournament total.

In that quarter-final clash against Warwickshire, the then 25-year-old scored 26 runs from lower down in the order to help the Sharks reach Finals Day at Edgbaston.

Fresh from a Championship hundred just days before, Chris Nash expertly adapted his game in the twenty20 final to hit 28 off 22 balls as we put on 46 in the last five overs, and put the game out of Somerset’s reach.

Tickets for all seven of Sussex Sharks’ Vitality Blast group matches at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased online or by phone on 0844 264 0202.

The Blast from the past promotion offering adult tickets for the match against Surrey on Friday 13th July at 2009 prices will then be available until the end of March.

An even better value way to catch that match and the rest of Sussex’s home group games is the T20 Blast Pass, which provides adult entry for the equivalent of £14.14 per match. For more details click here.