Round-up for week ending 26th November 2017

Starting this week’s tour of the globe in Australia, it was an excellent weekend for Michael Burgess. The wicketkeeper-batsman made 118 from 112 balls, including 17 fours as Adelaide University batted first and made 345 against Southern District. Adelaide University then skittled their hosts for just 123 on Sunday, forfeited their second innings and then got within two wickets of an outright victory, with Michael taking a catch at the wicket. Southern District held on, however, with AUCC settling for a first innings victory.

There were three Sussex men in action in New South Wales Premier Cricket over the weekend. Delray Rawlins’ week with the England Lions in Brisbane attending a spin camp had a positive effect on his performances for Sydney. On Saturday, he bowled 16 tidy overs in the First Grade taking 1-50 on day one of the town vs. gown match against Sydney University. Delray was in T20 action in the Poidevin-Gray Shield, New South Wales’ U21 competition on Sunday. His 3-21 from four overs and 37 off 22 balls were instrumental in Sydney’s two wicket win over Mosman. 

Ollie Robinson opened the bowling for St. George after they were put into field by Bankstown on day one of their First Grade fixture on Saturday. He bowled 17 over for 63 runs and took a catch as Bankstown took advantage of favourable batting conditions and posted 379-4 in their 96 overs.

Abi Sakande was in Second Grade action for Mosman on Saturday and made an unbeaten 7 as Mosman were dismissed for 385. Abi will get the chance to bowl at that total next weekend.

Earlier in the week in Canberra, a stunning 57 ball century for Danni Wyatt saw England chase down 178 in the third and final T20I and therefore draw their Ashes series with Australia. Danni’s hundred rescued England from 30-3 and was the first international T20 ton for an Englishwoman. Sarah Taylor also featured in the match.

Sussex have been ‘big in Bangladesh’ over the past week, with a number of impressive performances from our players in the BPL. Stiaan van Zyl is proving to be a revelation for Chittagong Vikings. After hinting at what he has to offer in his first appearance for the Vikings a week earlier, Stiaan quickly moved into top gear last week. On Thursday, Stiaan thumped 40 from 26 deliveries against and then chipped in with two wickets as the Vikings romped to a 40 run win against Sylhet Sixers. The Vikings came off second best against Rangpur Riders the day after in a match that went down to the final ball, but Stiaan was superb once again, smashing 68 off 40 balls. The South African’s scintillating T20 form bodes very well for next summer’s T20 Blast, the fixtures for which are announced tomorrow.

Back from injury, Luke Wright played his first game for the Rajshahi Kings since 7th November on Saturday against Comilla Victorians. It was an assured return, as Luke helped set up the Kings’ imposing total of 185-7 with 42 off 36 balls from number three. The Victorians fell 30 runs short, to give the Kings their first win in three.

Jofra Archer remained rested for Khulna Titans’ first match of last week against a Wright-less Kings, but returned for the fixture against Rangpur Riders on Friday. Jofra made 10 off 8 balls and saw his four overs go for 33 runs as Khulna recorded a 9 run win, their fifth of the tournament.

A niggle prevented Chris Jordan from turning out alongside van Zyl for the Vikings this week.

In South Africa it was the weather that prevented David Wiese from playing. He was named in the Titans side to take on Dolphins in Benoni on Friday, but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled as a result of heavy rain.