Key player absences a worry for Sussex

By Bruce Talbot

Sussex's unbeaten start to their Friends Life t20 campaign could be threatened by the absence of two key players.

South African strike bowler Rusty Theron has had to return home to attend to family matters and is unlikely to return in time for the Sharks' next two games at Chelmsford on Thursday and at home to Kent Spitfires 24 hours later.

Theron has only played in one match so far and Sussex have covered for his absence through Amjad Khan and Chris Liddle, who has taken nine wickets including a career-best 5 for 17 against Middlesex at Lord's ten days ago.

Of more concern is the fitness of New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris who has contributed with ball and bat in all all three of Sussex's wins so far.

Styris suffered a dislocated thumb taking a catch in Sunday's win over Essex and although his thumb was soon put back in place he needed stitches after the bone pierced the skin.

Coach Mark Robinson estimates that Styris could be out for up to ten days although he may make a quicker recovery. Robinson said: "It's a bad dislocation but we're hoping he will recover quickly. Rusty has had to go back to South Africa to support his family and we are not sure when he will be back."

The potential absence of both players could be offset by the availability of Matt Prior but all-rounder Kirk Wernars, a potential replacement for Styris, is sidelined for two weeks with a dislocated shoulder.


Date: 26/06/2012 10:35:24 by Bruce Talbot
In: Today | Sussex |