Adams and Robbo make peace (From The Argus)

Adams and Robbo make peace

12:00pm Thursday 31st December 2009 in Sport By Bruce Talbot

Sussex coach Mark Robinson and his Surrey counterpart Chris Adams insist it will be business as usual when the two counties meet at the start of next season.

The pair have held a clear the air meeting after a fraught few weeks which ended with Rory Hamilton-Brown leaving Sussex to rejoin Surrey as captain after Adams made an approach to his old county.

There have also been allegations, which Adams strongly denies, that Surrey made unofficial approaches for Sussex players last season although he did confirm that he did speak to Mark Davis and Carl Hopkinson about coaching roles at The Oval, both of which were turned down.

The saga came to an end last week when the clubs agreed a compensation fee which allowed Hamilton-Brown to take over as Surrey skipper even though he had a year left on his Sussex contract.

Adams said: “I initiated the meeting with Mark because I felt strongly that I wanted to keep my relationship with him.

“It was a very good meeting. I’m big enough to accept criticisim if I do things wrong and we spoke about several things. We agreed on some things and disagreed on others.

“As far as Rory is concerned, our approach was made according to the regulations and the chairman have conducted themselves professionally.”

Adams is unrepentent about Surrey’s decision to bring back Hamilton-Brown.

He added: “Sussex know how competitive I am. I’d like to think in the 11 years I was there that I was at the heart of the ethos which helped Sussex be successful. They would have known I would have tried to build exactly the same at Surrey - they are my team now.”

The two counties meet at Hove in Sussex’s home Championship opener in April and Robinson believes both Adams and Hamilton-Brown will get a good reception.

He said: “You have to look forward and time is a great healer.

“Chris Adams played a great part in a fantastic era for Sussex and nothing should tarnish that, whether we believe he should have gone for Rory or not. People should always remember that.

“For the players, the game won’t be about Chris Adams or Rory. It’s about the start of a new season and our attempts to get back into the first division.”

Adams added: “I’d like to think when we play each other in April, Mark and I will be able to look each other in the eye with a great deal of mutual respect.”

Robinson’s focus for the next month is on his country rather than county.

He flies to New Zealand tomorrow as England under-19 coach ahead of the forthcoming World Cup.

“It’s a great opportunity which I am really looking forward to,” he said.