It may seem like the start of a new era at Hove with Chris Liddle and Rageb Aga getting their chance in Sussex's seam attack.
But do not write off James Kirtley or Jason Lewry just yet.
One or perhaps both, depending on how Lewry shaped up after a fitness test yesterday, could resume their new-ball partnership for the champions against Surrey tomorrow.
advertisement
For years, Kirtley and Lewry were as synonymous with Sussex cricket as deckchairs and seagulls.
But if they play together at Hove today, it will be for the first time since the opening game of last season.
Kirtley lost his place to a fit-again Lewry last May and did not make another appearance as Sussex clinched back-to-back Championships.
It is not being unkind to say that most of Kirtley's best work in the last two years have been in one-day cricket. Who will ever forget his five-for which won the C&G Trophy against Lancashire at Lord's in 2006?
Last season he took just a solitary Championship wicket in that win against Kent. It was the 599th of his career and it was another 84 days and 114 overs before the 600th came along against the Indians at Hove.
But anyone writing off Kirtley as a force in Championship cricket does so at their peril.
Skipper Chris Adams will certainly welcome the return of either or both of his most experienced seamers. He seemed reluctant to give Liddle or Aga too much responsibility in last week's draw against Kent, when they bowled just 21 overs between them.
The days when Kirtley runs through a top order may be over but the 33-year-old believes he still has plenty to offer, not least a word of advice to the younger bowlers from his station at mid off.
And he is delighted to see a new generation of seamers coming through at Hove, even if they threaten his place in the team.
He said: "I think it's great that the likes of Lidds and Rageb are getting an opportunity. Giving them exposure to first-class cricket is the only way they are going to learn and improve.
"We also have the likes of Tom Smith and Will Beer, who played against MCC at Lord's, coming through.
"The only way the club will move forward is by developing young players and letting them have a taste of what it's all about.
"I think they all have got big futures ahead of them but I think I can still do a job for the side too."
Kirtley's pre-season was disrupted by a shoulder operation but he returned on Sunday in the FP Trophy game against Essex and was the pick of the Sussex seam attack, taking 2-45, his figures spoiled when he was hit for two sixes in his second spell.
"I was pleased with how it went. It was disappointing to go for a few at the end but that can happen in one-day cricket," he said.
"But the ball seemed to be hitting Matt Prior's gloves with a bit of venom which was good."
Kirtley took 41 wickets in limited overs cricket in 2006, more than anyone else in the side, and earned him an unexpected England recall for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championships last September, three years after his last international appearance.
So can he transfer his excellent one-day form into the Championship arena?
"My Championship stats last year were obviously disappointing and it was very frustrating not being in the side.
"My one-day form was obviously a lot better and that has given me confidence to believe I can still do a job in four-day cricket.
"Robin Martin-Jenkins has had a lot on his plate with opening the bowling, occupying an important role at No. 8 with the bat and, of course, his benefit.
"So if I can share the load a bit and help some of the younger guys then that would be a good start."
Lewry has been named in a 13-man squad which also includes Lewry and off-spinner Ollie Rayner. Liddle has been left out.
The return of James and Jason will give us a bit more penetration. I do worry though that with our fragile top order, we will have a rather longer tail. Especially if we lose Matt and Luke for any length of time. Perhaps not so important later in the season when we can play Rayner as an extra spinner.
The return of James and Jason will give us a bit more penetration. I do worry though that with our fragile top order, we will have a rather longer tail. Especially if we lose Matt and Luke for any length of time. Perhaps not so important later in the season when we can play Rayner as an extra spinner.
[quote][bold]jonboy[/bold] wrote:
The return of James and Jason will give us a bit more penetration. I do worry though that with our fragile top order, we will have a rather longer tail. Especially if we lose Matt and Luke for any length of time. Perhaps not so important later in the season when we can play Rayner as an extra spinner.[/quote] Agreed.
jonboy wrote:
The return of James and Jason will give us a bit more penetration. I do worry though that with our fragile top order, we will have a rather longer tail. Especially if we lose Matt and Luke for any length of time. Perhaps not so important later in the season when we can play Rayner as an extra spinner.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
