Vitality Blast match day interview: Tymal Mills

Making it out of the group is the bare minimum for Sussex Sharks in the 2021 Vitality Blast, Tymal Mills tells Jack Butler from Sussex Cricket's Official Newspaper Partner, Sussex Newspapers...

Tymal Mills says that Sussex have ‘one of the stronger squads’ in the T20 Vitality Blast this year – now they are having to prove it.

With expectations high for another Finals Day appearance for the county, pace ace Mills admits it's about making sure the players deliver when it matters.

“Not many counties have as many T20 specialists," the bowler explains. “We’ve got enough experience in the squad. It's just a case of everyone making sure they are fit and ready – we have been chomping at the bit.

“We want to win. We feel we have a squad that’s good enough - one of the stronger squads on paper in the competition. We all know that. Everyone else knows that. It’s on us to deliver.”

In the two most recent Blast campaigns, the Sharks have fallen at the quarter-final hurdle, having previously finished runners-up back in 2018.

Tymal Mills took 2 for 23 in the 2020 quarter-final, but Lancashire were victors

This year, Sussex have their sights on going all the way in the competition, aiming for their first Blast title since 2009. Without question, they have the players who can lead that charge.

“It’s all about how you deliver under pressure,'' adds Mills, whose express left-arm pace has caught the attention of franchises across the globe. “It's maybe something that we haven't done as well in the past few years - losing out in quarter-finals and in the final itself, a few years ago.

“We will always set ourselves high standards with the squad that we've got and the experience at our disposal.

“In theory, we should be even stronger this year. We'll welcome back Rashid Khan, who is one of the best bowlers in the world. That's a huge addition for the side. It's just a case of being smart and executing."

Tasked with getting Sussex over the final hurdle is James Kirtley, the former bowling coach, who is joint head coach alongside Ian Salisbury – the pair replacing Jason Gillespie. Kirtley has particular responsibility for the Blast team.

“I really like working with [James] Kirtley,” Mills stated. "We think in similar ways. Trying to exploit our strengths and not worrying too much about the weaknesses. He has some cool ideas, and hopefully we can go out and implement them. 

Tymal has six wickets from his four appearances so far in this year's Vitality Blast

"You have to be performing at full intensity," he adds. “I’m never going to be the type of player to play at 70-80 per cent. I need to be giving my all, and it's on me away from cricket itself, to make sure my body can support that. 

“Ultimately, I want to play for England. It's where I want to be. I feel I'm good enough when I’m fit and firing. For now all I'm focusing on this summer is staying fit and playing as many games as possible for Sussex. If I stay fit, I back myself to do well and what comes of that, will come naturally.”

In Sussex’s favour is the return of the crowds to grounds across the country. Hove may not be the biggest arena, but when the Sharks are firing it's one of the loudest. 

“It's something we missed last year playing in front of empty stadiums. The atmosphere, the buzz around the ground not being there," Mills outlines. "That edge - maybe you lose when you feed off the crowd. It took some time getting used to. 

The crowd at The 1st Central County Ground watch Tymal in action on Friday night

"We always want to finish in the top two to get a home quarter-final ... we’re really lucky with the crowd that we get at Hove. They’re knowledgeable as well; they know when the big moments in the game are. 

"It's great to be back playing in front of a crowd this summer.”