Finch is minded to stay strong for Sussex

Sussex batsman Harry Finch has stressed the importance of being mentally strong as he enjoys his best start to a season since making his debut five years ago.
Harry Finch / Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyHarry Finch / Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Harry Finch / Picture by PW Sporting Photography

The 23-year-old ticked off two milestones in the space of a fortnight earlier this month when he made his maiden County Championship hundred against Middlesex and then scored his first List A century in the Royal London Cup tie against Hampshire.

He has become a key member of Sussex’s top order and Head Coach Jason Gillespie has been impressed with his attitude to improving his skills and his commitment towards the overall team performance.

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“In my opinion the mental side is the biggest part of the game,” said Finch. “If you are a professional cricketer then you’ve obviously got talent but if you can get your head right then I don’t think anything can hold you back. It’s a part of the game that really interests me.”

During their trophy-winning years a decade ago, Sussex became one of the first counties to employ a specialist sports psychologist to work with the players. Michael Caulfield became such a key member of the backroom team when he was taken on by former coach Mark Robinson in 2006 that he recommended him to Gareth Southgate, who was then in charge of Middlesbrough FC.

For the past five years Finch and the other Sussex players and coaches have had access to Tom Cross, a performance psychologist who has worked for the FA, Crystal Palace and several FTSE top 100 companies on specific therapeutic models which enhance performance.

“In my opinion an awareness of the mental side of the game what separates players at Test level and those who don’t quite make it,” added Finch, whose calmness at the crease has also impressed Gillespie. “I focus on certain things. I back my talent and for me it’s about making sure I go out there as relaxed as possible so I can contribute towards winning games for Sussex.”

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Finch has had little chance to do that this week after Sussex’s fixtures against Gloucestershire and Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup were both washed out. It leaves them probably needing to win their final two games against Glamorgan in Cardiff on Friday and Essex at Eastbourne two days later to qualify for the knockout stages.

The Saffrons, where Sussex returned after a gap of 17 years in 2017, will be a new venue for Gillespie, who is a supporter of playing games at outgrounds. Sussex head to Arundel next month to play Durham in the County Championship.

“I enjoy it - as long as the facilities are up to scratch I am all for playing at outgrounds,” said Gillespie. “There is the odd ground where that isn’t the case but I’m sure Eastbourne will do a wonderful job for us on Sunday. I have never been there but I’m all for taking the game to new places.”