Sussex will have to '˜man up and get on with it' says coach Davis as they prepare for Pakistan

Head Coach Mark Davis admits Sussex 'will just have to man up and get on with it' as they contemplate a quick turnaround ahead of Friday's three-day tour match against Pakistan.
Stuart Whittingham bowling. Sussex v Glamorgan at Hove. Picture by Phil WestlakeStuart Whittingham bowling. Sussex v Glamorgan at Hove. Picture by Phil Westlake
Stuart Whittingham bowling. Sussex v Glamorgan at Hove. Picture by Phil Westlake

Potentially having to face Mohammad Amir after just a few hours’ sleep is hardly ideal preparation but that is the scenario facing Sussex, who play Glamorgan in Cardiff in the NatWest Blast T20 on Thursday night and won’t arrive back at Hove until around 2.30am on Friday morning.

Davis said: “We knew the schedule a long time ago and have planned accordingly and we’ll just have to get on with it.

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“We are fortunate in a way that quite a few of our players don’t play in both formats so we can rotate the squad a bit. Hopefully we will win the toss and can bat first, otherwise we might find ourselves in the field for a day and a half which won’t be ideal but they’ll just have to man up and get on with it!”

Ed Joyce is on Ireland duty and Steve Magoffin will be rested ahead of the resumption of Championship action next week, when Sussex take on Kent at Tunbridge Wells for the first time since 2003.

But Davis will still field a side with plenty of experience. Wicketkeeper Ben Brown, who led the side in Luke Wright’s absence for six four-day matches earlier in the season, is likely to be captain and youngsters Stuart Whittingham and left-armer George Garton are expected to lead the attack.

The match also offers Davis the chance to play both Danny Briggs and Will Beer together after his two spinners played against Glamorgan earlier this week.

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Davis added: “Will hasn’t played much red-ball cricket at all but he’s been bowling well this season and we felt he deserved an opportunity. He needs all the experience he can get and he will enjoy the test of bowling to batsmen who traditionally play spin pretty well.”

Craig Cachopa, Matt Machan, Harry Finch and Fynn Hudson-Prentice can also expect to play in what will be Pakistan’s first visit to Hove since played two one-day matches in 1992, when both sides won one each.

Davis added: “It’s a heavy schedule at the moment but this is a game those involved in should enjoy playing in. With the first Test coming up next week I’m sure Pakistan will play a strong side and we’re looking forward to one of the highlights of the season.”

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