Comment: Why Adams will have one more year with Sussex (From The Argus)

Comment: Why Adams will have one more year with Sussex

7:40pm Wednesday 1st October 2008 in Cricket News By Bruce Talbot

I wish I had had a pound every time someone asked me about Chris Adams’ future at the County Ground last week.

Most of those supporters were there on the final day of the season on Saturday when Adams rolled back the years with a run-a-ball 35 as Sussex drew with Yorkshire to make sure Mike Yardy will captain a first division county when he succeeds Adams next season.

There were tears in his eyes when he made his way out to the middle, where the Yorkshire players had formed a guard of honour, and doubtless a few more when he made his way back to the dressing room accompanied by a standing ovation.

It was a nice way for Adams to finish what was, in terms of runs scored, his worst summer in 20 years as a professional.

So will he be back? I don’t know is my answer and I don't think Adams is sure himself at the moment, even though he still has a year left on his contract.

He has been interviewed for the coaching vacancy at Hampshire but is not in the frame for any job elsewhere at the moment, although that could change. There are positions at Surrey and Middlesex which need to be filled and could appeal to him.

As for the chief executive’s job at Hove, he would clearly be a popular choice among the majority of supporters and certainly in the dressing room.

Sussex set out the criteria for Gus Mackay’s replacement this week and chairman Jim May does not expect to make an appointment until the new year.

Adams will certainly apply although if he was going to get the post you would imagine he wouldn’t have to wait until January.

May says there has already been some interest in the job from overseas although Dave Gilbert, back at Hove last week on a brief visit to the UK, does not want his old job back.

The 2009 season will only be a few weeks old when Adams turns 39. It will be one of the biggest triumphs of his career if he was to rediscover something approaching the form he consistently showed during the last 11 years with the bat.

He has plans to work assidiously on several aspects of his game this winter and do not underestimate his determination to succeed.

The last thing he or the supporters, who lauded him last week, would want to see is their former captain struggling for form next season, losing his place in the side and quietly fading into retirement.

After what he has achieved at Sussex, he deserves better than that.

And for what it’s worth, I think he will be at Hove next season – as a player.