We need to show more fight, says coach

Bexhill have been bowled out for 127 and 91 in their last two Sussex Premier League matches, both of which have been against the top two teams.

Cox said: “If it goes wrong, we can go badly wrong. We need to show a bit more fight and we need to sell our wickets a bit more dearly. For me there’s a slight lack of application.

“Listen, it’s difficult. I want them (the players) to stay positive, but I just think sometimes they just play their game and don’t quite get the game situation.”

Bexhill were beaten by 87 runs away to last year’s champions Roffey last weekend when only three batsmen scored more than seven.

“We had to fight for every one of our wickets and I reckon we gave them six or seven of ours without having to work too hard,” continued Cox.

Overall it’s been a bit of a mixed first third of the season for a Bexhill side which lies seventh in the 10-team division having won two matches and lost four so far.

Bexhill have picked up 53 wickets (out of a possible 60) with the ball and prior to the last two league games, had gone past 200 with the bat three times in a row.

Cox said: “I think dropped catches have perhaps cost us certainly one win, and we’ve had one good bowling performance by Brighton against us and two poor batting performances. Points-wise I’m not overly disappointed.

“It’s a better team than it was last year in my view, no question. We’ve just got to keep moving forwards and if we can get our batting sorted, we’ll be so much better.

“Generally we’re bowling well. We’re fielding okay, although we’ve dropped a couple of catches a game which have proved quite important. The batting needs to man up a bit, we’re still prone to a bit of collapsing.”

Cox will be eager to see an improvement when Bexhill host third-placed Cuckfield today (Saturday). Play is due to start at 12.30pm.

“It’s definitely a winnable game, especially at home,” he added. “I think every game for us at home is winnable and that’s the attitude we’ll be going in with.

“They’re likely to be mid-tableish and so therefore we’re fighting for a similar position. We’ll be very positive and fingers crossed we’ll come out with a good result.”

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