Win Projections to be updated soon
Sussex captain Tymal Mills expressed frustration over the Vitality Blast Finals Day schedule, which clashes with England‘s T20I series against Australia. This scheduling conflict will see key players, including Sussex’s Jofra Archer, miss out on the Finals Day at Edgbaston on September 14.
Mills, who led Sussex to the Finals Day in his first season as T20 captain, called the scheduling “pretty stupid” and a “real shame,” as Archer will be unavailable for the knockout stages. England’s T20I series against Australia, scheduled for September 13 and 15, means players involved in both tournaments will be prioritized for national duty. The ECB is still evaluating the release of players, but it is unlikely any will be available for the county competition.
“It’s a huge blow to lose a player like Jofra,” Mills said after Sussex’s eight-wicket quarter-final win over Lancashire, where Archer took 2 for 20. “Whoever replaces him will have big shoes to fill.”
Other counties, such as Surrey, face similar challenges. They will be without Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Reece Topley, and Jamie Overton, all of whom have been called up for England’s T20I squad. Warwickshire may also be without their key players, Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell, who are uncapped but part of the England setup.
The scheduling of the Blast quarter-finals, which took place six weeks after the group stages ended, has already drawn criticism from players like Kent captain Sam Billings, who called it “ridiculous.” However, many counties prefer the longer gap to allow for better ticket sales, evidenced by the record crowds at The Oval and Hove.
Rishabh Pant Warns India Against Taking Bangladesh Lightly in Upcoming Test Series
Despite the challenges, Sussex has flourished under Mills’ leadership, winning 10 out of 15 games this season. Australian batter Daniel Hughes has been the leading run-scorer, while Mills himself ranks third among wicket-takers.
Looking ahead to Finals Day, Mills acknowledged the challenges but maintained optimism: “We’ll turn up expecting to win. That’s the attitude now.”
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
