Sussex boys round-up: the season so far

The under-17 boys after their win over Surrey at New Malden 

As well as covering many of our second team games, Colin Bowman also watches plenty of our junior squads. Here he rounds up the Sussex boys' seasons so far...

Under-13s

Our under-13s, under the guidance of coach Ian Cox, have been enjoying a string of friendly matches both at Blackstone and away. They have two games to come both on the road to Hampshire and Essex.

Under-14s    

Our under-14s, under the leadership of Phil Hudson, are fully committed to their tough ECB Cup group four competition.  Like all teams managed by Hudson, players do the simple things well and consistently. That trait along with sheer determination has led to four victories from six.  

On Sunday 15th July, at a baking hot Bede’s School the boys had to work extremely hard to overcome a resolute Kent team. Then on Friday 20th they beat top of the league Middlesex on the road. Every player has made useful contributions through out.  There seems to be a collective drive and pride to win games for Sussex

With two matches to play, against Norfolk and Cambridgeshire on 12th August, there is still the outside chance of a top two finish to the season. 

Under-15s

After a difficult 2017 our under-15s, under coach Mark Nash, are making up lost ground in ECB Group 3B this season. They have now won six games from seven, with the only bloody nose suffered at the hands of Cambridgeshire on 15th July at Bede’s . Many of the wins have come through exquisite batting where plenty of runs have been scored.  The team have breezed through to an exciting ECB Cup Quarter Final on 15th August probably away to Oxfordshire.  

The under-15s listen to coach Jimmy Anyon

Under-17s

The backbone of our under-17s consists of the victorious 2015 U15 ECB Cup winning squad.  That set of players, mixed with a few new faces hasn’t stood still in the interim years. While they still have that desire to do the basics well and consistently, their skill sets have continued to improve.

Rainy May weather put paid to their short ECB Cup campaign, but they ended with a wonderful win against Surrey at New Malden. They are now in County Championship mode and are currently one from two. Their latest victory came at Blackstone last week when overcoming a talented and spirited Essex squad.  In a splendid game containing 1,229 runs it was Sussex who kept their nerve with the bat to chase down over 350 to win on the last day.  They have two exciting County Championship matches left, win both and they will be in the semi-final come 14th August 2018.

There are many players in this squad who have real potential to become household name here in Sussex and potentially on the International stage.  We focus on one such lad, Oliver Carter (16) who has made that journey through the ranks here at the Academy.  He was an integral part of the 2015 ECB cup winning squad. 

I caught up with him at his home club Seaford CC on 21st July fresh from scoring 120 and 153 in that Essex match. He said “It’s all going well and I am very pleased to have capitalised on good form.  As a team we look forward to the next County Championship match but we know we must all work hard on the basics.”

As for the future, Oliver says: “I have a burning desire to contribute to winning games with Sussex hopefully at the highest level but know that I will have to work extremely hard and take opportunities as they arise!’ In fact, Olive was given an exciting opportunity when picked for the 2nd team last week when they travelled to Bath for 4 days.

Oliver Carter