Vitality Blast match day interview: Luke Wright

In the first of our exclusive Vitality Blast match day interviews, Jack Butler from Sussex Cricket's official newspaper partner, Sussex Newspapers, speaks to Luke Wright. The Sussex Sharks captain outlines his aims for this year's competition and explains why he feels his side can reach Finals Day...

 “It is one of the best sides I’ve ever played in," states the experienced captain, who made his Sussex debut back in 2004. "At full strength we are as good as any franchise team I’ve ever come across.

“It's a pretty special side: Tymal Mills, CJ [Chris Jordan], Jofra [Archer] and Rashid Khan. We’ve got as good a team as anyone. Hopefully, we can get those guys together as much as possible - if we do, I back us to be at the latter stages of the competition.”

Tymal Mills's recent record at the death is among the best in the world 

As always Finals Day will be the aim for a Sussex side stocked with T20 talent. After back-to-back quarter-final exits, the Sharks, who will be led by newly appointed coach James Kirtley, will be looking to reach their first Finals Day since finishing as losing finalists in 2018.

Sussex's first home match sees Hampshire head to The 1st Central County Ground for what is always a great south-coast derby. The Blast is split either side of the inaugural edition of The Hundred: with the T20 competition's group stage concluding on July 18, the knockouts starting the week of August 27 and finishing three weeks later with Finals Day on September 18. 

Luke with the trophy he so badly wants to get his hands on

“We’re desperate to get to Finals Day,” explains Wright, who finished as the Sharks' highest run-scorer in the Blast with 411 in 11 innings last season. “We were close last year but it's so hard to get out of the South group - let alone any further."

Alongside the experienced heads of Ravi Bopara, Jordan and Wright himself is an exciting pool of young talent. In particular, George Garton and Delray Rawlins will look to build on impressive T20 outings with bat and ball last season.

“We need the youngsters for the energy and fire around the field,” outlines Wright, who has signed a new white-ball contract to keep him at Hove until at least 2023. “Last year, we opened the bowling with George, getting him to try to swing it. 

"Delray batted at three a few times. So, it's great we’ve got these guys coming through to step up when the more experienced guys aren't there.

Luke will be looking to use his experience to guide the youngsters in his team, including Delray Rawlins 

"It's brilliant having youngsters play but you need someone to guide them in the pressure moments to get the team through. That mix [of experience and youth] is why we’ve been successful.”

While Sussex's bowling battery takes many plaudits, the top-order is the most explosive opening partnership in the country. As the skipper explains, when Phil Salt is in the middle you always expect fireworks.

“With Phil [Salt], you know he's going to crack on; he’s either going to be out or he’s going to smack it. He reminds me of Chris Nash: going at those first three overs and building that momentum. Hopefully, this season we will get him to the next stage where he’s getting those big scores - that wins you games. 

As well as his batting, Phil Salt has an important role to play with the wicketkeeper's gloves

“As a team, we look to attack both the first three with bat and ball. We are desperate to take wickets and go with the most attacking option. Same with the bat, we are willing to lose a wicket or two if we can get off to a flyer.”

With all that in mind, what can we expect from the T20 skipper this season? “It is not really about me,” Wright adds, honestly. “My goal is to help us win a trophy – and getting out of the group is the first part."