WE HAVE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The key words I will keep talking about are opportunity, winning and enjoyment. From a playing and staff point of view, we have a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference, to take on the new season on with high levels of optimism and excitement.

I make no apologies for talking about winning, expecting to win and approaching every game with a winning mindset. There is no point continuing to talk about the potential of our young players, to ask for patience and say it is going to take time to change things. What has gone before has gone, there is no point in looking back and wasting time talking about previous seasons or former players. There is of course no magic dust that you can sprinkle that automatically helps you win games. Winning will only happen if we play good cricket and create an environment that allows the players to really take the game on, play with skill and enjoy showcasing their ability.

Enjoyment is not something you can make up. You can’t pretend that everything is great when it is not. Our job as coaches and support staff is help the players create an environment that they can relax and thrive in, so they genuinely look forward to striding through the gates every morning.

I am very set on three key principles that we should all be working towards at the club. The first is developing a spine of home-grown players, the second is developing players to play for England at all levels and the third is to win trophies for the club and its members.

The first two principles are very much in place, and whilst we have some very talented players in our squad, we also know that we have had to make one or two excellent additions to provide the on-field experience to help us win trophies. We had nine players involved in England teams this winter, from Ollie and Jofra in the senior squad through to Archie, Dan, Bertie, Charlie and James in the Young Lions. Tom and Jack went to Sri Lanka with the Lions.

The third of those principles is the area we have the most work to do: winning trophies for our members and the club. We could do the usual English thing and say we would like to compete and do well, but if we hope to win then the chances are we won’t, but if we expect to win I think we have a much better chance of doing so. Equally, by openly talking about winning we invite a certain amount of expectation onto us as a squad. That might scare some, but if we are serious about representing this great club then there should be a high level of expectation, and that we are doing all we can to win.

Talking about a group of players who have not had a lot of success and expecting them to win might sound daft as it will also put pressure on those players. Every team wants to win and not every team can, but unless you expect to win, and do everything you can to win, then that’s even more daft. Pressure is not a word we should worry about. Playing professional sport brings many challenges but it is a unique opportunity and a privilege that we should all embrace and enjoy.

It was easy to use words in the winter months, when there were no matches to play, but if we had spent the time being negative and talking down our chances of success then we should not be surprised if we have a tough 2023. The words we use and the way we used them this winter has helped build a unity in the squad we are going to need and rely on during tough periods in games. This group is highly talented and with the right direction and strong leadership on and off the field I believe we can really play some exciting cricket. I am certainly not going to be making any wild predictions before we bowl a ball, but I will promise that we are going to give it a really red-hot go this season and give the players belief, courage and confidence and allow them to do everything they can to play positively and not worry about what can go wrong, but enjoy what can go right.

Whilst we must never forget some of the great players who have played wonderful cricket for Sussex, the current squad have a great chance to create their own fantastic memories and build their own legacy. They must embrace the history and traditions that has gone before and realise there has never been a better time to take this great club to new levels and enjoy the expectation that comes with that privilege.