westoelad wrote: Magoffin turned 36 the other day though so can't realy be expected to carry the attack as he has for so many years. Ole Robinson looks a realy fine prospect who hopefully has put his wild days behind him but have Sussex the reserves when the injuries strike. Mike Hussey always maintained you needed 8 seamers to see you through a season.
Not sure any blame can be placed on Sussex for what happened last year. Id like to see how other teams would cope with 9 bowler injuries, which is the extent of Sussex's injury problems at its worst last year (and the cancelling of loan deals at the last minute). In terms of depth, do other teams have 8 good quality seamers to carry an attack through injury? Teams have 8 seamers, but past the 5th and 6th seamer even in top teams, I doubt there is much consistent quality there. In fact, in some teams they would struggle to have a good quality front row attack. Id expect even Yorkshire would be down to their U-19 lads if you took away the first 5 seamers in their team in order to make a side.
Looking at the Sussex line up, 6th seamer would have been James Anyon, 311 wickets for a mid 30's average. 7th seamer Lewis Hatchett with a mid 30's average. 8th Seamer, Hobden with a late 30's average. Can other teams muster up better second level attacks?
Magoffin (who lost steam he bowled himself into the ground), Shehzad, Tymal Mills, Ollie Robinson and Chris Jordan.... a very good front level attack if it stayed fit, and an attack that can still beat lots of teams should you supplement Anyon or Hatchett (or Zaidi as a spnner) for two others injured.
I dont think a case can be made to say that Sussex werent prepared. They also basically lost their best player (Prior) without even hitting a ball.
We got unlucky. I think any team in our position with injuries gets a pounding..... even Yorkshire (especially with their international call ups added to absences).
