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• From a distance his innings was absolutely what was required for Sussex to declare on 255 for 7 having moved from their overnight score of 192 for 5. He was ably supported by Jason Lewry.
• So the plan would appear to be to bat him about 8 so that there are regular batsmen left to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
• It is runs as well as catches and stumpings that the Club are seeking from their new keeper.
• With hindsight I am not suprised that Matthew was selected ahead of Nicholas Wilton. I cannot claim to even have told you so, but the logic would appear to be that Nicholas 's first class BATTING record should have been better. With the bat last season he had an average of 16.66 from 11 innings. His top score was 46 runs.
• Matthew must be in for a run of 10 to 12 innings and this would therefore take him to match v JULY 6TH at Hove v Hampshire.
• At that stage I would sit down and compare the performance of Matthew over 10 First Class innings with the bat and also take into consideration if his keeping is up to scratch.
• I would also look at Nicholas's performance in the 2nd X1 and by this stage of the season he should have played in 4 matches of 4 days duration.
• Just as with the loss of another ex-County Junior, Shaun Humphries, the County appear to be seeking a keeper/batsman to stiffen up their batting rather than a skilful keeper.
• There are more keepers in the County Junior pipeline - Andrew Hodd bats number 5 for England Under 17; Marc Gardner bats up the order in the England Under 15 side; Richard Young bats in the top order for the South of England Under 13 side.
• I would like to see both Matthew and Nicholas playing in a squad with an experienced pro but with the 2nd X1 age range being 25 and under, experience is not readily available.
• For the next few games I suspect that Matthew can now relax and settle in to a First Class career.
• I am sure that he will make the most of his opportunity.
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