Sussex D40 get season underway at Surrey

Sussex finally got their D40 Quest season underway at Surrey last weekend, following a heavily disrupted build up, including the cancellation of two warm up games and a league fixture against Essex.

Skipper, James Bunday, won the toss, and put Surrey into bat. Sussex started in buoyant fashion with Dan Gee and Alfie Pyle looking very threatening with ball in hand resulting in an early opportunity at slip going down off Pyle’s bowling. Surrey’s openers eventually settled and quickly moved the score along to 64/0 from the first 10 overs.

Sussex turned to their spin attack in the form of Bunday and Jake Vosloo, who was making his county debut. Both bowlers kept things tight, with Vosloo bowling superbly, turning the ball both ways and forcing errors.

The pressure soon told as Surrey captain, Jonny Gale, top edged a sweep shot and was caught by Bunday at mid-wicket. Sussex continued to fight back reducing the Surrey score from 87/0 to 98/3, with all three wickets going to Vosloo, who finished with figures of 3/33.

Surrey rebuilt to 120/3 before Pyle was reintroduced and quickly repaid the faith with a wicket. Josh Dixon and Callum Wolff bowled economically slowing the scoring rate after the drinks break. Bunday then finished his spell taking 3 wickets in 5 balls, to return figures of 3/37.

Following some lusty blows from the Surrey lower order, Gee and Pyle closed the Surrey innings on 202 all out, with both bowlers claiming two victims each.

Despite a solid Sussex bowling performance, a lack of pre-season game time was evident in the fielding department, with dropped catches resulting in Surrey posting a more competitive total.

However, special mention should be made for James Dallaway, who adorned the wicket keeping gloves for the first time and put in some excellent work behind the stumps.

The team’s batting performance was a different matter altogether. With a lack of match practice available to the side going into this game, Sussex were unable to chase down Surrey's total. 

Owen Piper contributed the only score of note, making a well-constructed 31. Surrey bowled very well resulting in Sussex being bowled out in 21 overs to lose by 152 runs.

Matt Harris was the pick of the Surrey attack returning figures of 5/22.

There is clearly much work to be done on the training ground, but Sussex should take heart from a positive bowling performance as they look to turn in a much improved all-round showing against Yorkshire at Ansty Cricket Club on Sunday 4th June.

Sussex D40 vs Middlesex D40 at The 1st Central County Ground

The next Disability Cricket event at The 1st Central County Ground is the Sussex County Squad’s D40 Quest league fixture against Middlesex on Sunday 18th June. Register here for free tickets.

To find out more about Disability Cricket in Sussex, please contact Aroop Tanna (Disability Cricket Manager) on aroop.tanna@sussexcricket.co.uk or visit our website - https://sussexcricket.co.uk/disability-cricket