Even England star can’t halt Bexhill charge

Not even an England international could halt Bexhill Cricket Club’s charge up to second in the Sussex Premier League table.
Dean Crawford bowling for Bexhill during their win at home to Middleton on Saturday. Picture courtesy Andy HodderDean Crawford bowling for Bexhill during their win at home to Middleton on Saturday. Picture courtesy Andy Hodder
Dean Crawford bowling for Bexhill during their win at home to Middleton on Saturday. Picture courtesy Andy Hodder

Chris Jordan played for the Sussex Development XI at The Polegrove on Sunday, but couldn’t stop Bexhill running out emphatic winners by six wickets.

Jordan, a right-handed batsman and right-arm fast medium bowler, has played in eight Tests, 24 One Day Internationals and seven T20 Internationals for England.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Barbados-born 26-year-old featured in England’s ODI series against New Zealand earlier in the summer and was part of the team which toured the West Indies in the spring where he pulled off some stunning slip catches.

Jordan came into the pavilion and shook hands all round two hours before the start and enjoyed a cup of tea with club officials, creating a good impression with those he met.

On another fine Bexhill day with the sun shining and a large crowd, anticipation was high. John, Tim, Mick and Jeff had the ground and pavilion looking at their best.

Sussex Development XI won the toss and batted, but with the Bexhill opening attack bowling with real venom, the score was soon 25-5. Jordan, batting at three, was among the victims, caught behind from a superb Shawn Johnson delivery for just four.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Only some dogged late resistance from the likes of Tim Moses (22), Sam Grant (29) and Ben Twine (14) got the visitors from 57-8 to 109 all out in 32.5 overs.

Johnson (4-29 in 13 overs), Callum Guest (3-26), Dean Crawford (2-31) and Joe Cox (1-17) shared the wickets as the cream of the county’s young talent was blown away by a Bexhill side which has now taken 128 wickets out of a possible 140 this season. The bowlers were backed up by a good fielding display.

Bexhill got off to flyer in reply. Johnson continued his fine day with 34 (containing six boundaries) and Tim Hambridge made 23 (with four fours) in a 60-run opening partnership.

Home captain Johnathan Haffenden (23 in 22 balls with five fours) and Guest (17 not out) then saw Bexhill home. Once again Bexhill scored at more than five runs per over even against Jordan off his full run-up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Standings (played 14 matches unless stated): 1 East Grinstead 317pts, 2 BEXHILL 300, 3 Preston Nomads 293, 4 Roffey (13) 291, 5 Horsham 265, 6 Cuckfield 226, 7 Brighton & Hove 221, 8 Billingshurst 214, 9 Eastbourne 194, 10 Middleton (13) 160.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!