So the lesson here is what?
Counties that take players at a low ebb that no one wants, and turns them back into international cricketers at a decent rate are examples of bad setups, because said players then are offered four times more at counties that host international cricket? Sounds fair.
So it was Surrey who took a retired Reece Topley, paid for his expensive medical treatment, gave him the facilities and time to get back to health, and revived his international career? Tymal Mills? How many counties would have given up on him back in 2014-15 when his back condition was uncovered? His original county did. Who, again, paid for his treatment and is the reason hes currently playing in a world cup? Who took Chris Jordan from slipping out the game and turned him into an international cricketer? Who found Jofra Archer and turned him into a great prospect? Who took Laurie Evans failing career and turned him into a world T20 star? Who took Ollie Robinson from being an untouchably toxic example of a thrown away talent and gave him an opportunity when no one else would?
And the coaches? Jon Lewis was offered the ECB Youth Development head role, and has since graduated to the first team fast bowling coach with man touting him as a possible head coach for the national team - no one would reject that opportunity. Hoppo left to be the ECB head of fielding coaching. Dizzy went back to his home club because he wants the Australia job eventually. Yardy got a massive promotion at NSW as batting coach. None of those are remotely the clubs fault and were unavoidable. People are turning down England or high profile jobs elsewhere to stay at a small county team, NO ONE. And the academy replacement was made with a man much sought after elsewhere, so where the idea we've lost talent from is anyone's guess.... how many counties have an academy coach who has also been head coach of a frigging test team?
And for young players getting no support? We gave county debut's to a 16 and 17 year old this year... 2/3s of our players this year were under 21 or under. IS giving games and opportunities to youth players not supporting them? Of course, what does Prior base this point on? "Well, when I was at Sussex we had x,y,z quality player".....
We also had Spen Cama's inheritance millions back then you total, utter moron. I mean, call me stupid but having 15 million quid paying the wage bill for the decade might have something to do with your capacity to retain and attract quality cricketers.
If you want to know whats wrong with Sussex, its the fact teams like Surrey can throw away talent like water and then just resign it at will when other teams develop it.
Not many sides as small as Sussex have turned around or produced as many cricketers. What do they get to show for that though? Pretty much nothing. As soon as younger player show promise, moneybags Surrey et al come swarming. Very little incentive for teams like Sussex to produce class players. You just invest in the talent for someone else to benefit from it as soon as it steps up.