Sharks become Kings, Titans, VIkings, Lions, Whales...

Now that November is here and the clocks have gone back, the season is starting to feel like a distant memory. If the lack of cricket at The 1st Central County Ground is getting you down, then take cheer from the fact that you can follow the exploits of a number of Sussex players (and one coach) this winter, as they ply their trade around the globe.

As Sharks transform into - amongst other things - Kings, Aces, Titans, Lions and Whales, here’s your handy guide to which Sussex players are heading overseas in the coming months and where they’ll be in action. 

Look out for Luke Wright plundering bowling attacks in various T20 leagues around the globe. First up for Luke is the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) where he will line up as one of Rajshahi Kings’ star players when their campaign gets underway against the Rangpur Riders this Saturday (4th November). From Bangladesh, Luke will head Down Under for his seventh season with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. Luke may also feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the New Year if he is picked up in the draft on Sunday 12th November.

UPDATE (12/11/17): Luke was a third round pick for the Karachi Kings at the PSL draft.

After a superb first full county season, Jofra Archer has become hot property for sides around the world. Jofra will join Luke Wright in the BPL after being picked up by Khulna Titans. Their first fixture in this year’s tournament is against Dhaka Dynamites on Sunday. The Titans take on the Kings on 21st & 27th November, raising the mouth-watering prospect of Jofra bowling at Luke! 

UPDATE (21/11/17): Jofra has been signed by the Hobart Hurricanes for the 2017/18 Big Bash League. 

Talking of Tymal Mills, the T20-specialist has his first appointment of the winter in the Big Bash. After thrilling crowds in Brisbane during last year’s tournament, Tymal has made a move across the Bass strait to represent the Hobart Hurricanes after signing a two season deal with the Tasman outfit.

Tymal’s England teammate, Chris Jordan had been scheduled to unleash his lethal yorkers for Bloem City Blazers in South Africa’s T20 Global League. With that tournament cancelled, Chris’ next confirmed appearance will be in the PSL in February & March, where he will play once again Peshawar Zalmi. He will have fond memories of the PSL having been part of the Zalmi side that took the title in a historic final in Lahore back in March. 

UPDATE (6/11/17): Chris has been drafted by the Punjabi Legends for the T10 Cricket League that takes place in the UAE between 14-17 December. 

UPDATE (19/11/17): Chris has joined up with the Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League.

After making a thousand Championship runs in a season at the first attempt, Stiaan van Zyl will begin his winter full of confidence. The South African’s first port of call is the BPL where he’ll be peppering the boundary for the Chittagong Vikings. The Viking’s take on Luke Wright’s Kings on 29th November and 5th December, and come up against Jofra Archer’s Titans on 12th and 17th of November. Stiaan is entered in the draft for the inaugural Ten Cricket League, a 10 overs-a-side competition that takes place between 14-17 December in the UAE. He is also part of the Cape Cobras squad back in South Africa. 

Fellow South African David Wiese had been scheduled to play for Benoni Zalmi in the T20 Global League, but instead is playing in the South African provinicial one-day competition. David made his first appearance of the winter for Easterns against Gauteng in a low-scoring affair last week. David took 4-21 as Gauteng were restricted to 179/9 from their 50 overs, but the Easterns came up short, losing by 21 runs. He is also set to feature for the Titans in South Africa’s franchise tournaments. 

UPDATE (12/11/17): David was a fourth round pick for the Karachi Kings at the PSL draft, joining Luke Wright in the squad.
 
Five of our younger players will be enjoying the Australian sunshine during the off-season.

George Garton is part of the England Lions squad that will be based in Brisbane & Perth for a training camp during November & December. He will have a familiar face alongside him as Sussex’s Assistant Head Coach, Jon Lewis, is travelling with the squad as their fast-bowling coach. 

UPDATE (10/11/17): George was called up to join the full England squad in Townsville for their final warm-up match ahead of the Ashes.

New signing Michael Burgess will soon be joining up with Adelaide University CC in the South Australian Premier Cricket 1st Grade competition.

Delray Rawlins has been awarded an overseas placement in Sydney as part of the ECB’s 2017-2018 International Pathway. Delray is playing club cricket in the New South Wales Premier competition for Sydney CC and will be training with the New South Wales state squad. Known as the Tigers, Sydney CC has been home to a number of Australian internationals, including Michael Slater and Ellyse Perry. There is also an existing Sussex connection, with Bill Athey having represented the club. 

Delray may well come up against teammates Abi Sakande and Ollie Robinson during his time Down Under. The seamers are set to play for two of the other clubs in the New South Wales Premier competition. Abi will represent Mosman CC, whilst Ollie will be turning out for St George CC. Mosman - the Whales – was once home to bona-fide Aussie legend, Allan Border, but St George can go one better in the Baggy Green stakes thanks to Sir Don Bradman’s time at the club in the 1920s and 1930s.

Travelling furthest afield this winter is Stuart Whittingham who went on tour with Scotland to Papua New Guinea straight after the end of the county season. The fast-bowler made his full one-day international debut on 6th October as the Scots inflicted a heavy defeat on their hosts in the ICC World Cricket League Championship. Stuart chipped in with 2 wickets as Scotland cruised to a 101-run victory.  

Keep an eye on our website throughout the off-season as we keep an eye on how everyone is getting on and let you know of any further deals our players sign.