7:36pm Sunday 24th August 2008
By Bruce Talbot
Sussex opener Chris Nash has already had cause to celebrate this month after lodging his maiden Championship century.
But Nash admitted that his unbeaten 71 which helped Sussex draw with Surrey at The Oval on Saturday felt just as good.
Sussex were in danger of a defeat which would have almost certainly ended their hopes of a hat-trick of titles when they slumped to 31-3 chasing an unlikely last-day target of 299 in 62 overs.
The ball was turning sharply out of the rough for off-spinners Murtaza Hussain and Saqlain Mushtaq.
But Nash and Carl Hopkinson got their heads down to put on an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 123 to take Sussex to 154-3 when the players shook hands.
Both batsmen were hit on the gloves and a couple of deliveries even spat up and struck Nash on the chest.
But the 26-year-old revealed: “It was great fun.
“We found it quite challenging because there was a lot of pressure and the rough for their spinners was really helpful. Carl batted brilliantly and it was a good mental test for us which I think we passed. Getting my first hundred against Lancashire was obviously fantastic but this gave me as much satisfaction.”
Coach Mark Robinson shared in his delight. It was always going to be tough for Sussex to win without Chris Adams, Mushtaq Ahmed, Matt Prior and Luke Wright, especially after losing the toss.
“It might look like we held out comfortably but it was as intense a last day as you will get,” he said.
“The pitch was spitting and biting and you always felt we were another wicket away from a real crisis but Nashy and Hoppo came of age. If they play like that on flat pitches they will score the 150s and 200s.
“They are not youngsters anymore but I think the way they played showed they are ready to go into that bracket of senior players now.”
Although both offered one chance each, Nash made 71 from 142 balls with seven fours and a six while Hopkinson’s undefeated 47 spanned 152 deliveries with four boundaries.
Surrey had earlier declared on 171-7 with Ollie Rayner, who was the best spin bowler on show, claiming 3-56.
His performance was another positive for the most inexperienced side Sussex have fielded during their golden era since 2003 with seven uncapped players.
“Not a lot went right for us after we lost the toss and if we had lost it would have put us under real pressure at the bottom of the table,” added Robinson.
“As it is, we have kept Surrey well below us and we’re still looking upwards. It was an excellent team performance when you consider the players we had missing.”
Sussex realistically need to win three of their last four games to clinch another Championship, starting against second-placed Nottinghamshire at Hove on Wednesday.
Adams should return but Mushtaq’s knee problems remain a big concern and the county have not ruled out bringing in a replacement overseas player for the veteran leg-spinner for the last five weeks of the season.
He has promised a decision on his future this week but it looks increasingly likely that the end is in sight for one of the most influential players in Sussex’s history.
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